After The Dawn

Now that Tom Delay's dark days in Congress are coming to an end, what's next? Apparently in Texas, the governor has the option whether or not to call a special election and that's a tricky issue for the republicans. They can only do it after Delay is removed from the ballot, which can only be done if he is convicted of a felony, dies, or moves from the district. That's why he plans to change his residence to Alexandria, Va.

It would probably be a mistake to call a special election with a general election only seven months away. Democrats, with big help from the netroots, have done very well in special elections recently, and a close race or Dem win, it would hurt their chances in the fall to retain Delay's seat in this republican leaning (55%) district. Hopefully a Delay hangover will still influence this race. A credible Democratic candidate in Nick Lampson should make this race competitive anyway.

As for what Delay is going to do, I look for him to use some of his re-elction money for legal defense, and spread the rest around to colleagues. Then it's off to jail, or to collect on owed favors. No matter what Delay says, I think the feds must be getting awfully close to him.