The New York Times ran an item late last week about Tom DeLay’s upcoming re-election fight, which will not only be the toughest of his career, but also threaten to end his career. The article quoted some local GOP leaders who found the very idea of DeLay being vulnerable absurd.
“The only people who consider this possible are clearly delusional,” said Eric Thode, Republican chairman in Mr. DeLay’s home county of Fort Bend. “It’s not a competitive district. It’s not even an issue.”
With each passing day, it seems the only people who are “delusional” are those who believe it’s impossible for DeLay to lose. Consider, for example, the latest poll from the Houston Chronicle.
A criminal indictment and continuing investigations have severely eroded support for U.S. Rep Tom DeLay in his district, most notably among Republicans who have voted for him before, according to a Houston Chronicle poll.
Only half of those who cast ballots for DeLay in 2004 said they will do so again. And while a fourth of the 2004 DeLay voters still aren’t sure whom they will vote for this year, almost 20 percent have defected to other candidates.
In a hypothetical general election match-up among the three candidates likely to be on the ballot in November, former Rep. Nick Lampson (D) is ahead with 30% support, followed by 22% for DeLay, and 11% for by former Republican Rep. Steve Stockman, who has filed as an independent.
Keep in mind, Texas’ 22nd District isn’t turning against Republicans, just DeLay. Of the respondents who participated in the poll, a plurality still consider themselves Republicans, and Bush still enjoys a 55% approval rating in the district.
These same voters, however, no longer have any use for DeLay. It seemed impossible a couple of years ago, but there may come a point in which GOP leaders will wonder whether they’d have a better chance of keeping the seat if DeLay stepped aside. DeLay insists that will never happen, but if Republicans start worrying seriously about losing the House, the pressure on DeLay could become intense.
And it couldn’t happen to a more appropriate person.