Argh! So close...

...but yet, so far.

Brooks gallops right up to the jump, but then refuses... he really had me going there for a second or two.

It's shifted because many House Republicans know that DeLay has been playing close to the ethical edge for years.

Damn straight... too bad it took a(nother) scandel for Brooks to speak out against DeLay, but better late than never.

They know Delay symbolizes their descent from that reformist ideal.

Damn skippy... preach on!

He is not the vicious strongman who terrorizes members and reduces them to tears to get their vote.

Ye-... eh, what?

He's not even a terror to his peers.

Hey Dave, what are you reaching for behind your back?

In fact, DeLay has been a thoughtful majority leader.

Oh no! It's the Shiv of Op-Ep Hackery +5! RUN!

If Republicans are going to recover the reformist spirit, they're going to have to do more than lessen the influence of Tom DeLay.

That's it Davy... put the shiv down... easy fella...

Hastert has gone from being obscure to being beloved.

EASY!

But the next time a scandal licks up against him, DeLay will find his support is not as strong as he thought it would be. He'll turn around and find that his caucus has remembered its core values.

OK, I guess at this point I will accept him walking away, shiv in hand.

Just one question: if the Republicans really remembered their core values, why not get him now? I mean, does he have to be caught screwing Dubya's new dog with Rick Santorum before they will give him the boot?

C'mon... really.