Judge: Delay must remain on ballot

[Delta]

Geez.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/4028453.html

Judge's ruling keeps DeLay on ballot
By R.G. RATCLIFFE
Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle

AUSTIN - A federal judge ruled today that Republicans cannot replace former U.S. Rep. Tom DeLay on the ballot for the 22nd Congressional District race.
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U.S. District Judge Sam Sparks, a Republican appointee, ruled that DeLay must appear on the Nov. 7 ballot as the GOP nominee for the congressional seat that he abandoned last month.

Sparks said DeLay could "withdraw'' from the race under Texas election law, but that still would not allow the Republicans to replace him on the ballot.

DeLay had sought to have state Republican Chair Tina Benkiser declare him ineligible by moving from Sugar Land to his condominium in Virginia. But Sparks said that would not make him ineligible because the requirement under the Constitution is whether DeLay is an inhabitant of Texas on election day.

[MLA]

Well, I really, really dislike (despise is probably a better word) Tom DeLay, but this doesn't seem fair.

[jnettie]

I heard about this...but it's still rather confusing to me. The Democratic Party is suing to keep him on the ballot so that the Republican Party can't add a replacement? Thereby garanteeing a Democratic win?

I'm not comfortable with dirty tricks. I think the Democrat would win anyway...or at least I hope! Worked for Obama in Illinois!

[karlatta]

Speaking as a voter in the 22nd Congressional District (so I'm directly affected by this), I'm pretty frustrated. I would like a ballot that actually gives me a choice.

[PG-rated]

Hmmm...I don't know much about this, but it seems that the law is poorly written, and it happens to favor the Democrats. I'm not seeing dirty tricks, here.

[jnettie]

Ok, I'll change that to using loopholes for an unfair advantage!

[PG-rated]

Well, do you believe that Republicans would have hesitated for one second to use this to their advantage if the tables were turned? It's a dumb loophole, but it's still the way the law is written, so I have a hard time blaming them.

[Delta]

But wait! There is more!

If he can't get his name off the ballot, he's going to go ahead and run (and actually campaign) in order to keep the Dem from winning because every seat counts this fall.

"For this guy to say he can't tell where I'm going to be on Election Day, and that I am forced to be on the ballot, well, they may get exactly what they want," DeLay told supporters to raucous applause. Sparks is a Democrat appointed by Republican former President George Bush.

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20060708/D8INGCK80.html
(http://apnews.myway.com/article/20060708/D8INGCK80.html)

How funny would that be? In the reports I've seen any generic R polls better than Lampson. Against Delay it's closer and he's ahead in most, but apparently people in Sugar Land are pretty peeved about this decision.

[jnettie]

Well, do you believe that Republicans would have hesitated for one second to use this to their advantage if the tables were turned? It's a dumb loophole, but it's still the way the law is written, so I have a hard time blaming them.
I know, I know, but I like to think that the Democrats are better people. ;) I guess I'm just disappointed, is all.

And, if Delay resigned, how can he run? I mean, part of his whole reasoning was that he wanted to save his constituants from a "dirty" campaign!

I tell ya, this will be the weirdest election ever!

[Delta]

And, if Delay resigned, how can he run? I mean, part of his whole reasoning was that he wanted to save his constituants from a "dirty" campaign!Well, he resigned but if they keep him on the ballot he has every right to actually campaign (and win and serve again.) He stepped down because he was probably going to lose, but from what I hear, this ruling *could* backfire on the Dems in that district because the moderate voters (who are also sick of Delay) are pretty peeved about this whole thing too.

Yes, it's crazy. If he does run and win though he'd better hope that the R's keep the House or he's DOA.

[bookworm]

I guess I have the New England view of Texas...I would have thought he'd win easily (resignation or not, criminal or not, campaigning or not), just b/c he's the R on the ballot.

[karlatta]

apparently people in Sugar Land are pretty peeved about this decision.

I am, but not in an "I'm so mad at the Democrats" sort of way. I'm just annoyed that this is the way the law is written. I don't fault any particular political party or the judge. Someone made a mistake writing the law and wasn't clear on this issue. And talking to my friends here (Democrat and Republican alike), that's how most of us feel.

Mostly I'm just frustrated because what happens if I don't agree with the Democrat on the ballot? What is my choice then? Either vote for him in hopes that he'll accomplish something that I agree with, or vote for DeLay, knowing that there is very little respect for him (and that he likely won't be able to represent me fairly)?

[PG-rated]

I don't understand why there wasn't a primary? Or provisions for a write-in campaign? That would be an excellent tactic, actually - "Don't let the Democrats take this seat because of a legal loophole! Write in Xxxx for Representative!" That's how the current mayor of DC won re-election, after his signatures to get on the ballot (required of everyone running for office in DC) were ruled invalid.

[jnettie]

I thought they DID have a primary, and Delay DID win it...then he subsiquently resigned. Or do you mean have another primary?

[katmg]

There was a primary - Delay did win it. After he resigned his seat in congress he announced he was moving out of state. I think that is why he would not be eligible to be on the ballot.

[PG-rated]

Oh, I see - I thought he resigned before a primary would've taken place. In that case, I think he's an idiot and more or less deserves this. These charges have been around for awhile and were obviously going to hurt his campaign, and I imagine he had the option to resign in time to let someone else step up. It seems he was just being greedy, if he chose to run in a primary with this hanging over his head.

[katmg]

Yeah, I was really surprised he won the primary. I *think* there were quite a few other candidates though and perhaps they all split the vote? I don't vote in that district so I'm not entirely sure.

[Grey Goat]

Yeah, I was really surprised he won the primary. I *think* there were quite a few other candidates though and perhaps they all split the vote? I don't vote in that district so I'm not entirely sure.

I'm not surprised at all... DeLay's district is about as red as you can get, in a state that is overwhelmingly red. That, combined with his name recognition and his genius at political manipulation makes him difficult for anyone to unseat.

Honestly, I think the Dems should be wary of what they ask for. I'm not sure DeLay won't be harder to beat than whatever no-name without an organization the Republicans would have had to put up, not to mention that the Dems could have had DeLay out of Congress once and for all. As usual, I think the Dems may have miscalculated...