The loudest sound in Washington this week was the huge sigh from Republican officials relieved that their chances of holding Tom DeLay's congressional district have improved from, at best, 50-50 to more like 90-10.
To be sure, few partisans ever like to see a former leader, no matter how controversial, throw in the towel, as DeLay did on Tuesday when he announced that he will resign from his seat. But with their party holding just a 15-seat edge in the House, the folks at the National Republican Congressional Committee did not need the severe headache that DeLay's bid for re-election in Texas's 22nd District had become.
DeLay never actually trailed Democratic former Rep. Nick Lampson in head-to-head trial heats, at least in Republican polls, but the numbers were ominous for the former House majority leader. DeLay's unfavorable rating was higher than his favorable one.
The fact that DeLay could have a net unfavorable rating yet not trail Lampson indicates just how Republican his district continues to be, even though DeLay gave up some of its reliably GOP areas during his
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