happy political news of the day
Tom Delay is the former Majority leader of the House of Representatives. He was forced to step down from that position several months ago when he was indicted by a grand jury in Texas for money laundering and other fun stuff. Even without his leadership position, he was still planning to run for reelection to represent his district in Sugarland, Texas. He changed his mind when he looked at the polls which showed him losing to Democrat Nick Lampson in a majority republican district. That would be more than a little embarrassing for a man with an ego the size of his. So... after he narrowly won his primary in May, he announced he was stepping down in order to let state republicans nominate someone else to run for his seat that could beat the Democrat. Texas law will only allow you to step down after winning a primary if you die (kinda logical) or become ineligible. The only way to become ineligible is to have an illness that will not allow you to perform the duties of office or if you no longer reside in the state.
The republicans decided to screw with the law. Delay rented a small one bedroom apartment on a month to month lease in Virginia. He bought a hunting and fishing license in Virginia, registered to vote, and had a couple of pay stubs sent to the apartment. Of course, his wife continued to live in their $1 million dollar home in Sugarland with no signs of putting it on the market, and Delay has barely been spotted at the Virginia apartment. He thought all he'd have to do is keep the apartment until November 8th and move back to Sugarland.
The Democrats cried foul and filed suit in the Texas courts to prevent Delay's name from being taken off the ballot. If Delay is the candidate, the Democrat will very likely win the race. Here's the good news: the court handed down it's decision today announcing that Delay's name must be kept on the ballot as he had not actually changed his residence. Woo hoo!
Granted, it might only be good news for a week or two. Delay and the Republicans will certainly appeal the decision to the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals which is one of the most conservative. (the majority of the justices are republican) They will probably honor their political party more than the law, but I'll enjoy the present moment. :-)
The republicans decided to screw with the law. Delay rented a small one bedroom apartment on a month to month lease in Virginia. He bought a hunting and fishing license in Virginia, registered to vote, and had a couple of pay stubs sent to the apartment. Of course, his wife continued to live in their $1 million dollar home in Sugarland with no signs of putting it on the market, and Delay has barely been spotted at the Virginia apartment. He thought all he'd have to do is keep the apartment until November 8th and move back to Sugarland.
The Democrats cried foul and filed suit in the Texas courts to prevent Delay's name from being taken off the ballot. If Delay is the candidate, the Democrat will very likely win the race. Here's the good news: the court handed down it's decision today announcing that Delay's name must be kept on the ballot as he had not actually changed his residence. Woo hoo!
Granted, it might only be good news for a week or two. Delay and the Republicans will certainly appeal the decision to the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals which is one of the most conservative. (the majority of the justices are republican) They will probably honor their political party more than the law, but I'll enjoy the present moment. :-)