Tom Delay

Few of us heard of Tom Delay before this class. He is featured prominently in Hacker and Pierson, and I know some of us wondered if their characterization is fair. Make no mistake of the impoirtance of Mr. DeLay to Republican fortunes over the past few years. Here is an article from 11 months ago, from the Christian Science Monitor:

In a tribute to DeLay, a bid for party loyalty
Amid ethics questions, the powerful House leader seeks anchor in his GOP base as he headlines a gala event.

By Gail Russell Chaddock | Staff writer of The Christian Science Monitor May 11, 2005

Thursday night's tribute to embattled House majority leader Tom DeLay at the Capitol Hilton aims to send a message to GOP colleagues contemplating jumping ship: Do so at your peril.

President Bush won't be there, but a near who's who of Washington's conservative establishment will. ("Near" is the operative word: Absences will be noted.)

"The tribute is a statement to him: You're not alone. We'll stand by you. And it's to say to people in this town: If you pick a fight with him, you've got us to contend with," says organizer Cleta Mitchell, a GOP election lawyer on the board of the American Conservative Union. "Our target for that message is Republicans in the House and the Senate," she adds.

Sponsors of Thursday night's tribute say DeLay is the most effective GOP legislator in Congress, and they can't afford to lose him. "The reason why conservatives are sticking with DeLay is that he has always been for them on issues," says Grover Norquist, president of Americans for Tax Reform, a sponsor.

Other sponsors include David Keene of the American Conservative Union (ACU), Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council, Ed Feulner of the Heritage Foundation, Paul Weyrich of the Free Congress Foundation, Gary Bauer of American Values, and Emmett Tyrrell, Jr., of the American Spectator - key contacts for conservatives aspiring to higher office.