Congress Watch: Debate over DeLay's future heightens
The future leadership role of Rep. Tom DeLay, sidelined as majority leader pending the outcome of his Texas fundraising indictment, is fast becoming "Topic A" among Republicans. Leadership aides and other sources involved in the discussions are split between those who believe DeLay will beat the charges and return to his previous post and others who feel he's damaged and faces more controversy as the Jack Abramoff lobbying scandal unfolds, including the guilty plea yesterday of former DeLay aide Michael Scanlon.
DeLay's allies are boldly predicting that his fundraising court case will be dropped this month and, at worst, there will be a short trial ending in acquittal. They say that the powerful lawmaker continues to exert his influence over House floor operations and that he played a major role in the hair-thin budget victory last week. They also say that returning DeLay to power will provide a "stabilizing force" for the party as it enters the 2006 midterm elections amid slumping public approval ratings.
But those optimistic predictions are facing a stiff wind from critics who believe that DeLay has lost steam.
"At some point, it's time for him to go," said a DeLay associate who now believes new leadership is needed to energize the House GOP. He and others fear that Democrats will use the indictment and the Abramoff case to "demonize" DeLay as Democrats did former House Speaker Newt Gingrich.
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