[Ninong]

Former GOP House Majority Leader Tom DeLay has a new book coming out next week and in it he blames everybody but himself for his party's problems.

Tom DeLay on:

George W. Bush -- "He has expanded government to suit his purpose... He may be compassionate, but he is certainly no conservative..."

Newt Gingrich -- He was "an ineffective Speaker." "He knew nothing about running meetings and nothing about driving an agenda." "Nearly every day he had a new agenda, a new direction he wanted us to take. It was impossible to follow him."

"It is now public knowledge that Newt Gingrinch was having an affair with a staffer during the entire impeachment crisis. Clearly, men with such secrets are not likely to sound a high moral tone at a moment of national crisis." [This was written before Newtie's recent confession on Daddy Dobson's Focus on the Family radio broadcast. Newtie probably knew this book was coming out and decided to put the scandal out himself first to limit the damage.]

Dick Armey -- He was "so blinded by ambition as to be useless to the cause." Also, he was "a poor leader" who had "few fresh ideas." He adds that Armey "resented anyone he thought might get in the way of his becoming speaker of the House. Beware the man drunk with ambition."

J. Dennis Hastert -- He blames Gingrich and Armey for persuading Hastert to abandon the new rule that would have allowed an indicted Republican House Majority Leader to remain in his leadership position. He was extremely disappointed that Hastert, his former lieutenant and hand-picked speaker, would turn on him like this.

Why didn't the Republican leadership that was swept into office in 1994 accomplish it's goals: We "were not a cohesive team, and this hindered our ability to change the nation." He puts most blame "at Newt Gingrich's door." In other words, they despised each other! [Gingrich was speaker, Armey was majority leader and DeLay was majority whip at the time.]

What can I say? Tom DeLay questioning the character and morals of anyone is almost as funny as Bill Bennet writing a Book of Virtues. I can't wait to see MoveOn.org's anti-Gingrich ads that quote Tom DeLay in bold print. Oh, wait. Why would they waste money on anti-Gingrich ads when there is no possibility that Gingrich will get the nomination.

[almostdiva]

I saw Delay on the one of the morning news shows yesterday. He spent 10 minutes saying nothing except that he was innocent and had never been indicted or done anything wrong. It was funny.

Newtie thinks he can sit out the Rudie/McCain fight and jump in at the 11th hour (like a month before the primaries ) and become the cause celebre (sp??) of the right wing, who apparently have always loved him, affairs aside. I think he's NUTS.