Redstate

While I am certainly no fan of yours, I am glad you returned to confront some of the criticism leveled against you, and it speaks well of you.

Thanks for your post and reply. I for one would like to hear more from you on RedState in the future.

---
Internet member since 1987
Member of the Surreality-Based Community

Any chance you could respond to some of the specifics in your first diary?

And on another subject, I understand that you are working with a group (groups) involved in international adoption. Is that true and what are you doing with them. I'm an adopted kid and this is a big personal issue to me.

Thanks again.
_______________________________
If "pro" is the opposite of "con", what is the opposite of "progress"?

You and I certainly agree on few matters overall (probably only the most basic GOP principles), but as others have said, I think it's highly commendable that you are engaging in public debate via this forum. I sincerely hope that having more debate of this type, in which prominent members of our party engage, will make us smarter, stronger, and more effective, as a whole-- I, for one, believe it will.

Liz Mair is the editor of WWW.GOPPROGRESS.COM, a RedState-style blog for libertarian, mainstream and moderate Republicans

One of the things I admired most about you was your intolerance for defeatist talk about the war and especially talk that emboldens the enemy. We desperately need to bluntly call out elected officials for rhetoric that costs American lives. Americans are war ignorant and they need examples of public figures identifying and denouncing unpatriotic speech. Please do so whenever you can. Because I think our only chance to unite and win this war before we get hit here many times, after which even the libs will get their minds concentrated, is if we shame the armchair CINCs in the GOP and the aiders and abettors in the dem party to uniting with the will to win and quit imagining a bloodless quick "plan" exists.

http://gamecock.townhall.com and www.race42008.com
"The trouble with our liberal friends is not that they're ignorant; it's just that they know so much that isn't so." - Ronald Reagan

But how to foster that debate? All too often, the debates tend to degenerate into a nasty slugfest where various accusations get tossed (I'll admit I'm not perfect on that front). But is the cause helped when a debate is carried out in a fashion that ultimately loses more votes than are gained?

Thank you, first and foremost, for your continued service to our country and advancing the conservative movement! I respect the fact you returned to confront your critics here and I hope you continue posting.

It’s also my hope you'll still be pushing for the Fair Tax or some derivative consumer tax!!! I believe this to be a very valuable piece of overall conservative reform and was glad to hear you speak out about it.

"The road to freedom is seldom traveled by the multitude"Madhouse Thought

I'm impressed.

And calling out a specific commenter like that... now we see first hand why you got your nickname!

You sure you don't want to run for Senator back in Texas next time out?
--
If you're seeing shades of gray, it's because you're not looking close enough to see the black and white dots.

As a >43 year resident of Houston, I know you will be missed. i look forward to your finishing off the Travis County problem fully and in your helping to put CD22 back on track to good Congressional representation. I strongly beleived we lost because of how we allowed ourselves to be manipulated into dropping our leaders. We lost because we allowed the MSM/dhimmiecrats to put us on the defensive.

Few people understand the situations involved of being at the top. While missteps occur, hopefully none are enough to deter you from being part of the policy creation of American politics.

And though I blame you for not fighting the rising growth of our government as much as Newt did (he certainly paid for that), you've forced the Senate to be much more conservative than it would've been without your disciplined control in passing our agenda.

"To discuss evil in a manner implying neutrality, is to sanction it." AR

It really does mean a lot to me that you've decided to not just come and post an entry on RedState but also to reply and re-engage after you did so. You can ask some of the editors and directors here about my political proclivities in the past and I just want you to know that I think you've been as unfairly treated as Robert Bork was, maybe even moreso.

Please come back and give us your take on things in the future. We here in the blogosphere really do value your input, your work and your time. I want to work in the next two years to regain the Republican majority in both houses and I know that I'd welcome your advice on that, even if it's just periodic and even tangential. We're going to recapture it, and I want to thank you for all your service. I personally misjudged you for many years, and like Judge Bork, I'll never completely forgive myself for that.

Many thanks, and be well, and please keep writing here.

shows the stength we have as Republicans.

Thanks Mr. DeLay

Thanks for showing up, for showing us the way back, and for listening to us.

Tom, I read that nasty book about you ("The Hammer" NOT recommended). And I STILL can't find anything about you that I don't like.

You were a giany among liliputians in the House. You will be acquitted and hopefully that lilputian who has nothing better to do with his time than to attempt to besmirch the reputation of a great American will retire in ignomony and shame.

I hope that you will run for senate after Hutchison leaves. Your talents would be put to good use there. I could also see you running for governor in four years if you were so inclined.

However, your family comes first and only you are in a position to know what is best for them.

Best always,

CC

Tom,

I'm old enough to remember the way things were, the way they used to be before Ronald Reagan and 1994. I thank you and him and everyone who changed the world. It was a liberal world back then and is a conservative one now.

Thanks also for providing your leadership and advice on how to take the Congress back. It is only with your help, the 1994 Republicans, that we will avoid being in the minority for 40 years again. We can't let the Reagan Revolution slip away and America go back to liberalism.

If this kind of discourse keeps taking place within the Republican Party I think we will emerge from this election stronger than ever. Let's not forget that Conservativism wasn't defeated last week - a party that lost its way was. Thanks for joining us Mr. Delay.

Guillaume Buell
Boston College Law School '09
gb2040@gmail.com

Well said. Many people appear to think that the Majority Leader has only to snap his fingers and everyone jumps to obey. The fact is that the Republican contingent in Congress is not of one mind on anything. Trying to assemble a majority of votes on any issue is like trying to herd cats. Mr DeLay made it look easier than it was, perhaps, and was not always given due credit.

That same truth is something which both Majority Leader Pelosi and Minority Leader X are going to have to deal with. Mike Pence can say what he likes but nobody is under any compulsion to follow him.

for comeing back and responding. People like you and places like Red State is the reason I believe the Republican party has hope. We can fight it out among our selves and still move foward.

"It ain't over till it's over"
Yoggi Berra

But please don't just whet our appetites without trying to put them to bed. Come back and spend a little time with us.

Tom,

I've watched as you've pounded your way through politics and made a name for yourself. I'm proud to have your last name. Keep fightin' the good fight. Thanks for your service to the country.

with respect,

Aaron DeLay

******
one man. two blogs. aarondelay.com.

Mr. DeLay,

First, thanks for coming back and engaging some of the criticism here.

However, allow me to offer the following criticism of "politics is the art of the possible." Specifically, I think that much of the criticism about your tenure is not that Congress did not accomplish enough, but rather that it accomplished too much. I'm talking, of course, about the Prescription Drug addition to Medicare, which looks like it will cost taxpayers in the trillions (with a "T") before it's all said and done - and besides which, has not even been popular with the seniors it is currently benefiting.

Now, in the beginninng of that particular battle, passage of that legislation was - many estimated - not "possible." However, you used your rather commendable political skills (and a set of highly questionable parliamentary moves) to make it "possible." Understanding that the President wanted this measure desperately, and that sometimes a little give and take is required, an entitlement of this stupendous magnitude should simply not have been done - not as a part of "compromise" with anything, and certainly not a Republican White House. Our complaint, sir, on this and so many other occasions, is not that you failed to do something which should have been done, but rahter that you used your remarkable skills to do things which should not have been done, and to this criticism I hope that you will offer a more substantive response.

Regards,
Leon

"We could find a speck of dust and scribble down our life stories..." - The Refreshments

God bless Texas, the USA, and you sir Tom Delay.

Mr. DeLay,

What we need is a leader who can lay out a clear and concrete vision for America. Your first post outlined some principles. What conservatives need is something on the order of the "Contract with America". Something that is bold that includes specific bills that will be passed like HR25 - The FairTax Act.

Then that contract needs to be promoted over the next 2 years in every means possible. A single and UNIFIED campaign IN THE Republican PRIMARY for 2008 where a candidate for all House seats, every 2008 Senate race, as well as the Presidential Candidate need to promted with a single voice.

If multiple candidates for a particular race all agree with the principles of the contract and wish to be included in the unified campaign, then let there be local Republican caucuses held to select the ONE candidate that would support the contract.

Once the primaries are over, the unified campaign should work to get its candidates elected.

The grassroots conservatives are starving for bold leadership. Please Mr. DeLay, help fill that need.

------------------------------------------------
Eliminate the IRS and all payroll taxes! http://www.fairtax.org

"On balance, I think most conservatives will agree with me that our successes far outweighed our failures but there is still much more work to do."

I guess that puts me in the minority where the GOP now finds itself.

On balance, I think most conservatives will agree with me that our successes far outweighed our failures

I wholeheartedly agree. I'm pretty sure those who don't will revise their opinion after a couple years of a Democrat-majority Congress.

(Have some forgotten what it was like having the Democrats in the majority? It wasn't THAT long ago--or maybe I'm just getting older...)

Beth

many of you will eating for dinner tonight. Especially those of you that said Mr. DeLay would be a drive-by poster.

Thank you once again for posting here at RedState. A vibrant political debate is what we have here and I will always welcome your posts sir.

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad - "We did not have
a revolution in order to have democracy."

View The World With HinzSight

Though I was one of your critics, I am happy you returned to answer us and hope you continue to post here on Redstate and comment.

As a person who is now trying to adopt a child I also want to thank you and your wife for the work you have done in that area.

"Nothing works like freedom, Nothing succeeds like liberty"
Kyle

Thanks Mr. Delay...not just for coming back but for all that you have done in public service

That said, since we all know that you ARE actually here with us @ RedState...

I have always wanted to tell you how moved that I was at your final words to the House. (You know, the one that the liberals walked out of...wimps!) Anyway... I have paid special attention to your family's role as foster parents and your advocacy of these programs is very noble and I have tremendous respect for you. How you spoke about it that day has moved me toward becoming a foster parent. I know that people sometimes exploit these programs as well as the children in them. You were right when you said that much work and help is needed to care for the orphans of our Country. Again, much respect admiration.

No one can say that Tom Delay doesnt care about the children in this Country; ever!

As a fellow graduate of Calallen High School in the great state of Texas, allow me to thank you on behalf of a grateful state for your commitment and work on behalf of our citizens. We will sorely miss having a conservative voice in the House that was able to move legislation with a disciplined focus.

Mr. DeLay, two things:

First, thank you for your leadership at the beginning of your tenure. You led well and led on the things that mattered. For that, you have my respect.

Secondly, as time went on, it became apparent to most everyone that you, and those you led, stopped trying to change Washington and allowed Washington to change you. Sad to say, but I was not broken up about seeing you leave Congress. What happened to you personally is on a micro level what happened to the GOP on a macro level.

Now, you come to RedState saying how things should be different in the GOP and I must ask your forgiveness for not trusting you this time around. We had six years to get things done. To shrink government. To eliminate waste. To curb abortions. To govern the way the American people wanted us to govern. And we failed to do it. And the responsibility for that failure must necessarily be placed primarily upon the leadership.

I am glad you posted a second time here at RedState, and I do look forward to the trememndous input you will have in a healthy debate on these matters. Looking forward to when you begin talking specifics when you reply to other commenters on your previous post.

--------
Sometimes the hardest thing and the right thing are the same. -The Fray, "All At Once"

Tom,

How do we change the Washington SYSTEM? We keep trying to change the people instead. It's like bailing a boat w/out plugging the hole. The SYSTEM needs adjusting. The SYSTEM is set up to produce corrupt people. How do we do it?

Conservatives and Republicans need a hammer to challenge the democrats on their lies("We have a plan for Iraq campaign", corruption, and ethics violations. Who will be the attack dogs for the Republicans?

CommonCents

"It often shows a fine command of the English language to say nothing at all."

Join to help build a conservative grass roots movement: www.winningthefuture.com

I deeply appreciate all of the comments in response to my original posting and my response this afternoon. In particular, I’d like to thank those of you who share my concern for saving abused and neglected kids. I was particularly moved by the stories of Mbecker908, Kyle8 and RedHotandinBlue. God bless all of you. Comments like yours make it all worthwhile.

As a Member of Congress and a foster parent, I have been blessed with the opportunity to work to protect children, and I think this is one of the most important roles we have in our society. It doesn’t take a village, it takes a safe, permanent home. Some of you may be aware of the neighborhood we built in Texas to provide abused and neglected children with the permanent, safe homes they deserve. The community is called Rio Bend and you can read more about it at www.riobend.org.

Thanks again, RedState, for making me feel so welcome in your blog community.

However, I find your response to criticism something of a cop-out. To be sure you're right to say that the only things possible in Congress are those which can get 218 votes. But were 218 members telling you that there was no fat left to trim in the budget, for example? Indeed, it seems obvious that 218 members weren't initially forcing your support for Medicare Part D, since you had to hold voting open for three hours to whip the caucus.

I cannot agree that the 109th Congress' successes outweigh its failures, because I do not see any successes. I see only excuse-making from the Republican Party's putative leadership. And that's a shame, because it indicates that the Party is not absorbing the lessons of the election, and will remain in the wilderness for longer than necessary.

though a lot of commenters will want to, but some time ago I wrote a diary here on RedState explaining why I'm glad the Medicare Part D bill passed. Please read it if you have the time.

I am aware that nothing is perfect (at least not laws or sausages) but I'm still supportive, and getting more so every day.

Just last week, my mom told me that she had used the Part D laws to opt completely out of Medicare and now is entirely privately insured. Is that possible? I didn't even realize the act made that legal. If so, good job.

I meant what I said and I said what I meant. An elephant's faithful 100 percent.

to Congress? Once you've put this partisan hack prosecutor to rest, how about coming back to congress? It sticks in my craw the underhanded way they took you out of your leadership position. Come cabk and HAMMER them!

See The World In HinzSight!
Political HinzSight

Congressman Delay,

Thank you very much for your service to this country. If the Republican party does not put people like yourself in leadership positions, it will stand no chance in '08.

You were a great asset in the U.S. Congress. Will you help the national party win back both houses?

I hope that we see the day where you can go back to Congress, or the Senate.

All the best!

Thank you Mr. Delay for your years of service to the party and the Conservative movement. I only wish we still had you in there pulling out tough votes and pushing through our agenda like you did when we were winning not so long ago. I firmly believe that your ouster has led us to this current sad state of affairs. I can only hope you will return soon.

Now that Mr. Delay's critics have his ear, they have suddenly lost their tongues.

"Forgive your enemies, but never forget their names."
-JFK

But many others have been silenced.

"Forgive your enemies, but never forget their names."
-JFK

Mr. DeLay,

With respect, on any given day, pretty much everyone can make the criticism that the government "did not do enough." I wager that's an old saw that our great-great-great grandchildren will still repeat decades from now about their government.

The more difficult criticism for you (and others in the party) to swallow may well be what Leon pointed out: the Republican congress "accomplished" too many bad things -- things which go completely against the values of small government and individual liberty which drew many of us to the conservative movement.

Medicare D as a piece of bad legislation and Terri Schiavo as a stunning example of hubris and overreaching Orwellian government come to mind. I won't even go into the myriad scandals.

My father taught me that at the start and the end of the day, beliefs and convictions matter. Being willing to compromise one's values may be politically expedient and help ensure a long and profitable career in government, but going-along-to-get-along is not what the country needs.

At the time you of Schiavo passed on you told the country “The time will come for the men responsible for this to answer for their behavior."

Perhaps those chickens have come home to roost.

Be well.

Pat

Oh spare me! For the next revised edition of Webster's Dictionary, the publishers should insert DeLay's mug shot next to the word "hypocrite" for selling out conservatives principles in DC.