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Tom Delay Says GOP Midterm Wins Are Not a 'Given'

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During his days as the powerful majority leader of the House of Representatives, former Texas Rep. Tom DeLay was known as "the Hammer" for his ability raise money and also enforce the party line with Republican colleagues. But the Hammer offered another lesson on discipline to the GOP this week: Don't get overconfident heading into the November midterm elections.

DeLay, interviewed on Fox News, warned that the Democrats, especially those now in the House majority, "have put together one of the most powerful grassroots coalitions that I've ever seen." As a consequence, it's "not a given that the Republicans are going to win all these seats this year," Delay said, according to The Hill newspaper.
Former Rep. Tom DeLay, Republican of Texas
With the economy still sagging and President Obama's approval ratings in decline, Republicans expect to pick up dozens of seats in the midterms. Some pundits even predict the GOP will win back majorities in the House and Senate,

DeLay's caution came as the Democratic National Committee reported it raised $11.5 million in July and had a healthy $10.8 million cash on hand, with obligations of $3.5 million. In his time, DeLay was formidable fundraiser and campaign strategist.

"It helped them win in 2006 and 2008," he said of the rival party's ability to rally potential voters through personal contacts. "And it's a new campaign paradigm, where they go in with grassroots people, go door to door, canvass the entire district and pump in unlimited amounts of money."

DeLay, who had a stint on the television show "Dancing With the Stars," got some good news himself on Monday when the Justice Department dropped an investigation of his ties with disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff. DeLay left Congress in 2006 after two former aides pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges in connection with the Abramoff influence-peddling scandal. He still faces money-laundering and conspiracy charges in Texas in a case related to 2002 state legislative campaigns.

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norfwest

Wonder why this wasn't plastered all over the way Gibbs' remarks about the possibility of the outcome going the other way were? Will the Republicans win some seats? Sure. Taking back control of both houses is possible but not as probable.

August 21 2010 at 2:03 AM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
fworfe

When I find myself agreeing with Tom Delay I immediately take my temperature and look for signs slippage above the shoulders. But, in this case, he's right on about the Democrats not yet being counted out in upcoming elections. Could it be that he's tweaking the Republicans a bit? He's never had the greatest array of friends in Democrat Party, so that won't change regardless what he says. I think he's still chaffing that the Republicans gave him some very sharp elbows and stiff-hands at a very critical time of his political ditching, and I think he's subtly paying them back. Can't much blame the man if that is the case.

August 19 2010 at 7:55 PM Report abuse +2 rate up rate down Reply
fworfe

When I find myself agreeing with Tom Delay I immediately take my temperature and look for signs slippage above the shoulders. But, in this case, he's right on about the Democrats not yet being counted out in upcoming elections. Could it be that he's tweaking the Republicans a bit? He's never had the greatest array of friends in Democrat Party, so that won't change regardless what he says. I think he's still chaffing that the Republicans gave him some very sharp elbows and stiff-hands at a very critical time of his political ditching, and I think he's subtly paying them back. Can't much blame the man if that is the case.

August 19 2010 at 7:54 PM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
thirdsqurl

I had to stop voting Republican after they ran up the debt, got us into two wars without a plan for victory, and totally screwed the economy, stealing 40% of my 401k plan in the process and cutting the value of my house in half. What kind of record is that to run on? Sure, the Democrats are messed up, but the Republicans haven't given us an alternative that I can afford.

August 19 2010 at 7:32 PM Report abuse +4 rate up rate down Reply
Big John

I know we do not have much to choose from but why in the world of commom sense would anyone want to put the party that got us in the worst recession since the great depression back in power. May God help America and Americans.

August 19 2010 at 5:29 PM Report abuse +4 rate up rate down Reply
Ali Grimes

Tom is right, however, more and more Americans are becoming disenchanted, if not livid, with the current liberal administration and congress... It is time for the balance of power to change. We need real change this time...

August 19 2010 at 4:56 PM Report abuse -3 rate up rate down Reply

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