Don’t go away mad, Tom, just go away

May 27, 2005

National Journal’s Insider Poll, which, as the name implies, questions political insiders for their opinions, has an important question this week for Republican lawmakers: “Would you like House Majority Leader Tom DeLay to campaign for you?” A total of 36 GOP House members responded (anonymously) — and 22 said they didn’t want DeLay’s “help” in 2006.

Some of the non-attributed comments from Republican members included:

* “I support Tom’s leadership agenda in the House, but his ethics issues (however insubstantial) have become a political distraction.”

* “Because of the nature of my district, I would not want any very conservative member of Congress to campaign for me, no matter what the circumstances.”

* “DeLay has never been an exceptionally popular campaigner for other members, and he is too hot to handle right now.”

If DeLay’s looking for a vote of confidence, this isn’t it.

The results were particularly interesting when contrasted with Dem lawmakers responses to an identical question regarding DNC Chairman Howard Dean.

Of the 42 Dem House members who responded to the poll, 31 would welcome Dean to their district. Responses included:

* “Howard Dean is the start of the Democratic Renaissance. He’s gold in my district.”

* “People at home, including independents and Republicans, love Howard Dean.”

* “He speaks plainly, and they love him outside of the Beltway.”

* “He still has the most enthusiastic grassroots following in my area!”

* “Dean would certainly play better in my constituency than [former DNC Chairman] Terry McAuliffe ever would.”

* “Dean has brought new life and breath to the party. Over the next few months, Americans will see that he understands the delicate balance between energizing the base and expanding the umbrella of the party.”

Republicans are poised to flee from Tom DeLay, while Dems are embracing Howard Dean with both arms. Who would have predicted this six months ago?

Yes Tom – do continue to be a distraction. But “Go away…”, I would venture that, no, not yet. Only until we’re closer to the election.

If he goes now, wouldn’t it be possible for the Delay scandals to completely fade and not be a 2006 election issue?

  • Who would have thought that Dean would be popular? Well —- me for one. I also thought he would have handed W’s balls to him in a handbasket if had been the nominee instead of — I’m sorry, but that’s the way he looked to me BEFORE he got the nomination — Kerry — a decent enough man, but a TV disaster. But that’s just me. IMO, as “they” say. Hell — Kerry’s WIFE alone probably lost him 5 Million votes.

    Oh well. Water under the bridge, spilt’ milk and other platitudes. I’m glad Dean is still around, and I think he is liable to be very effective with the DNC. But I wish he had more protection. I worry everyday that some raving lunitic will go after him “just because.” Or — gee, I never thought I’d think this about an American presidency — under orders from on-high.

    We’ll see.

    David Winn
    Austin, Texas

  • By the way — I LIKED Kerry’s wife. Better than him in fact. But I’ll bet she didn’t play very well in most of Mid-America.

    Laura — on the other hand — looks like she just stepped off the set of The Presidents Wife, the sit-com on NBCBABFOX.

    David Winn
    Austin, Texas

  • Who would have predicted this six months ago?

    Anyone who understand that Americans like their politicians “real”, whatever that means. Dean’s strength is that he says what he has to say simply and stick to it. And I’d guess the form is much more important than the substance.

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