One of our high profile Republican friends called me today.. Since I haven't heard from him in quite some time, I was pleasantly surprised.. We have the common interest of being active in support of Veterans.. During our little chat, I sensed that he had a little more on his chest .. I finally asked him.. "What's up".. Man..you could have cut the silence with a knife..When he finally exploded.. (that's the best word for it).. "That goddamed Tom DeLay".. Whew.. you could have blown me out of this chair with a soft breath.. He went on and on.. Many noticed and commented that DeLay, along with a few other recently powerful and influential republicans were not visible in New York last week.. There seems to be a very good reason, in Tom DeLay's case.. In spite of all his organizing and manipulating the many functions during the Convention, many good republicans are furious at him.. Guess why ? Simple "re-districting".. When Tom DeLay intitiated that brainstorm in collaboration with Karl Rove, the idea was sold to the Republican Party in Texas,as a cure all to a one party system in the Lone Star state.. Man.. did they ever welcome any notion that played on their sentiments like that one.. every politicians dream.. huh ? As it turns out, not quite a dream and even a nightmare for many, including Tom DeLay.. The design of the plan was to eliminate the seats of some Democratic incumbents and limit the challengers for additional seats.. Just the opposite has occurred.. Long time incumbents, such as DeLay are being seriously challenged in the "new" districts, by candidates who can beat their socks off.. In a few of the seats which were to be eliminated, Republican incumbents find their seats seriously in danger of elimination because they are being opposed by equally powerful Democrat incumbents with a power base that is frightening.. My friend is being seriously challenged in his district by a strong candidate who just might beat him.. Pete Sessions is being opposed by Martin Frost, who carries a massive support base in his camp.. people who are determined to not lose their champion.. Joe Barton is being seriously challenged by Morris Meyer, for the first time in years, Barton faces a serious threat to the seat he has enjoyed.. Then, there is DeLay himself.. For the first time Tom DeLay is facing a serious challenge in the revised district that he helped create.. His initial fear was that his base had been diluted over the years and should be shored up by some additional boundaries.. He is now facing a candidate named Morrison, who for all practical purposes, is threatening to overwhelm Delay in November.. Similar problems are occurring all over the state.. No wonder we didn't see the usually highly visible Tom DeLay.. in New York.. His fellow Republicans are pissed at him.. His devious and detestible actions have finally borne fruit and the party has had enough of his corrupt shenanigans.. The "backfire" from this one is costing the Republican Party, dearly, in Texas.. Anxiety over political futures seems to be more powerful than party loyalty, in this case, at least.. Your friend in Irving Bill Walker
