Every news outlet has a story today about the American Conservative Union’s shindig for Tom DeLay and each point to the predictable palaver from the right-wingers on hand — Republicans are saints, Dems are sinners, yadda yadda yadda.
The important thing to remember, however, is that while hundreds of right-wing activists may have cheered for DeLay, those who matter most were no where to be seen.
Absent from the dais was one of Mr. DeLay’s most outspoken defenders, Mr. Norquist, who was listed in the program as a sponsor. Earlier in the day he described the event as an important show of support for the majority leader.
But Mr. Norquist was not visible at the dinner and seats at his group’s table remained empty. Nor was there any high-powered representative from the White House at the event.
When one speaker, Bob Livingston, a former representative from Louisiana, asked current and former member of Congress to stand up, the showing was relatively sparse, perhaps two dozen.
When [Cleta Mitchell, a Washington lawyer and the event’s master of ceremonies]
called one of the scheduled speakers, Representative Scott Garrett of New Jersey, to the rostrum, he did not appear.
It seems obvious that DeLay must continue to enjoy broad and enthusiastic support within his own party if he has any chance of surviving politically. Yesterday helped prove that the GOP’s activist wing continues to adore DeLay and his tactics — but it also helped reinforce the belief that they’re the only ones whose enthusiasm for DeLay has not waned.
If DeLay were still seen as the conquering hero of today’s Republican Party, why did over 200 of DeLay’s congressional colleagues steer clear of an event to celebrate his leadership? And why did members of the Bush team stay away entirely? And why was Norquist, a key ally of Karl Rove and the right’s most powerful activist, a no-show and his table at the event empty?
DeLay surely had a wonderful time last night, but if he sees yesterday’s bash as a sign that he’s in the clear, he’s even more misguided than I thought.