DeLay's Departure

I'm not sure how much more can be said about the resignation of Tom DeLay. As his resignation as Majority Leader was good for the party and good for the country, the end of his Congressional career will be as well. Was Tom DeLay the victim of a zealous prosecutor? Absolutely. Travis County District Attorney Ronnie Earle has a history of trumped up charges against Republicans from around the state, due to election law cases being tried in the state capital. But that is not what matters in this case. What matters is perception. DeLay's indictment, the conviction for two DeLay staffers, combined with the Abramoff scandal led to this ultimate, defining moment today.

DeLay had become a polarizing figure in the public discourse. There was no way that Congressional Republicans could avoid a stigma, no matter how undeserved, if he stayed on board. Democrats have attempted to link just about every living, breathing Republican to DeLay in one manner or another. I don't think they will have Tom DeLay to kick around anymore.

He probably stayed longer than he should have, but DeLay's departure is the best of all possible outcomes.