Politics Best and Brightest

Tom Delay (aka 'the Hammer') isn't going to run for re-election and has chosen to leave.

With his former aides pleading guilty to corruption charges and cooperating with federal investigators, former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay has decided not to run for re-election, according to senior House Republican officials.

Long known as "the Hammer" for keeping Republican troops in line, DeLay (R-Texas) stepped down from his leadership post last fall after a Texas grand jury indicted him on campaign finance charges and his legal troubles mounted. But he insisted he was innocent and vowed to stay in Congress as he fought the charges.

Last week, however, DeLay decided to resign from Congress, according to a source close to the lawmaker. He informed President Bush on Monday and also told other senior Republican leaders. He is expected to make an announcement Tuesday on his Web site, tomdelay.house.gov. Sources said DeLay is likely to leave Capitol Hill by Memorial Day.

Good bye, good riddance. Your skating on the edge of the rules made the Repugs look worse than they are. Now go find a nice lobbying job somewhere.

Then there is the Demo's all-star McKinney. I still can't figure out how this is a racial thing other than that is what she and her posse seem to keep screeching.

Neither Phillips nor the police department would say what charge was being sought against the six-term Georgia Democrat or when any warrant for her arrest might be issued.

In a statement, Capitol Police said it had "referred its investigative findings to the U.S. attorney." Filing such an affidavit is the first step in obtaining an arrest warrant. Only if Wainstein approves the affidavit can Capitol Police officials ask a judge to issue the arrest warrant.

Wainstein could clear the way for a warrant. He also could decline to go forward with the case.

McKinney spokesman Coz Carson acknowledged the investigation.

"We're aware that the wheels are turning in Washington," Carson said. "We will make the appropriate statement and take the appropriate action once we know where they're going."

Several police sources said McKinney, 51, scuffled with a police officer March 29 when she entered a House office building without her identifying lapel pin and did not stop when asked.

Last I knew, everyone had to show ID and pass through the metal detectors to get into the office building. But it's a racial thing because she was forced to follow the rules that everyone must follow? Well, if you have heavy hitters like Belafonte and Glover on your side, you must be in the right.

Worse, it appears that House members are allowed to side-step the metal detectors.

When she attempted to sidestep a metal detector, as members are permitted to do, she was asked three times by a police offer to stop, but she ignored his requests.

The officer allegedly proceeded to tap her shoulder; McKinney responded by hitting the officer with her cell phone.

McKinney maintains she was “touched inappropriately” with “excessive force” and that her actions were “instigated by the inappropriate touching and stopping of me, a female black congresswoman.”

Well, I suppose having to show ID is all that should be required. Though I disagree with that thought. So much for security. I'd been looking for details of that inappropriate touching allegation and the details are just humorous.

And for further humor:

Last week she appeared at Howard University alongside Lethal Weapon’s Danny Glover and Harry Belafonte. Glover said, “She alone has stood up for issues that are important to this country and important to the world. We're not here to judge the merits of the case; we're here to support our sister.”

Well, Saint Cynthia shouldn't be bothered by security at all. She probably should just float on her heaven sent cloud to her office throwing lightening bolts at the lowly citizenry she show graciously represents.

Bah. Politicians are scum.