Thank you, Henly, TX (your handle brings "Blazing Saddles" to mind, a comparison you are no doubt sick of hearing) for your analysis. Presumably Perry is having second thoughts about calling the special election?

The Republicans don't know exactly what to do, other than NOT to call a special immediately. After all, they can't do it until Delay actually resigns, and if his "proposed" resignation either fails to help the plea bargaining or there is some kind of roadblock to converting his campaign cash to criminal defense cash, then he might keep things twisting in the wind "a great long while" as Billy Bob Thornton's "Sling Blade" character would say.

The Republican "establishment" has to be edgy about actually being able to name a viable replacement candidate, considering that the local (and typically kooky) party officials, regularly ignored and quietly disdained by the party's power structure, would have their one chance at 15 minutes of fame in making the selection of the ballot replacement. Given the opportunity, the locals would sooner nominate a Rush Limbaugh than a John McCain to be their Congressional standard bearer. Had Delay been truly acting with the interest of the "Party" in mind, he would have arranged to run a slate of "compliant" GOP precinct chairs in the recent primary in order to allow the "establishment" to control the ballot replacement process. If you'll research just who it is that is in charge of ballot replacement, you'll find a discomforting array of John Birchers, border vigilantes, conspiracy theorists, and late night AM radio right-wing talk show enthusiasts. The Republicans have a formidable task of herding cats in front of them.

In 2002, Eckels was re-elected with 56.5% and 348,000 votes to 40% for closest opponent.

Has also won several awards and acclaim from non-partisan groups for his innovation in county government and his work with the City of Houston in receiving Katrina victims.

He would be tough to beat.

Just so everyone is aware.

Robert Eckels is listed as Harris County Judge. This is the head of the Court of Commissioners and not a member of the judiciary. It is more like President of County Commissioners. He is the only member elected county-wide which means his name recognition is high and has a larger constituency of voters than any congressman (Harris County has 3.6 million people including the entire City of Houston).

Tom Delay should resign now, either that or finish out his term. There is no point in him going another few months only to resign then. He now has no reason to adequetly serve the people he represents, he already knows he's resigning in disgrace, a few more knocks won't hurt him. He should let the people elect a representative who acrtually gives a damn.

Seems like a coordinated effort between DeLay and Perry to have a special election, but not quite yet, in order to lengthen the campaign and allow time for a Republican candidate to build recognition among voters.

Repeating part of the column for Sandy's benefit (capitals are mine): "Kathy Walt, a spokeswoman for Perry, told the Houston Chronicle this week that the governor is LIKELY TO call a special election shortly after DeLay formally resigns. The winner of that special election would only serve out DeLay's remaining time in the 109th Congress. One benefit to that: If the same candidate won the special election and the general election, he or she would have a leg up on House seniority at the start of the 110th Congress."

Sandy - you forgot to mention that Kerry is a Buffoon.

Back to subject, Tom DeLay is nothing if not politically shrewd and it would be foolish to think that he hasn't planned this out pretty well. In a situation where he was threatened with losing control, he chose to maintain control and step down. I don't think he would have done that if he didn't have a pretty clear understanding from those involved as to how it would play out.

As to " he lacks the ability to force an election upon the shoulders of the taxpayers at this point," Republicans don't seem to have a problem with costly special elections when called for by the likes of my Glamorous Governator.

Tom "Why wouldn't he resign now, without further" Delay appeared on Rush Limbaugh yesterday, and said that according to Texas laws (and perhaps his timing), there cannot be a special election.

There is no special election because the power to make the decision rests in the Republican governor's hands, not the Democrat running for office.

DeLay leaves in June, just before the summer recess, and Congress won't be make in session until September. DeLay has at least 8 weeks to put issues important for his District into place, so the people will be represented. Nice try by the Dem, but he lacks the ability to force an election upon the shoulders of the taxpayers at this point.

"some Perry advisers are advocating for it, according to an informed GOP source"

I'm confused. Why does Perry, a R governor, want this to happen if "A short campaign would play to the Democrat's strengths....etc?" I'm confused. Did Chris leave something out (perish the thought)?

Concur with the first post.

Nice publicity stunt that garnered him some free media.

No way it's gonna happen though. But heck, the free media is worth it.

Good stunt. Won't work.