DeLay Departure CYA Plot

The Washington Post reveals the real reason Tom DeLay clung to his seat after he was stripped of his party leadership.

Was it principle? In a way. Here's what the Post reports Republicans saying was the real reason DeLay held out until now:

An additional impetus for putting off the resignation until now was suggested by John Feehery, a former aide to DeLay and House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.). "He needed to raise money for the defense fund. That was the bottom line," Feehery said. "He wanted to make sure he could take care of himself in the court of law." Under federal campaign rules, any reelection money a lawmaker raises can be used to pay legal fees stemming from official duties.

Yeah, it was all about DeLay standing up for the time-honored principle of white collar criminals — CYA (Cover Your Ass). He did it to bolster his legal defense fund!

No doubt, the former Texas roach killer will defend himself in the courts with the same tenacity with which he hung onto his seat. Which means that he'll be copping a plea within six months (or just before the Congressional elections).

What a patriot! What a leader! What a rallying cry for so-called conservatives every where to follow: "When the going gets tough, the tough pad the legal defense fund!"