Looks like the "circle the wagons" strategy is starting to fall apart with regards to U.S. House Majority Leader Tom "The Hammer" DeLay (R-TX). This morning, Pennsylvania's conservative Republican Senator Rick Santorum said that DeLay should "lay out what he did and why he did it and let the people then judge for themselves.'" Not exactly a ringing endorsement, but then again, Santorum is facing a tough race this year in Pennsylvania, and has been trying to move towards the center politically in recent months.
Also today, moderate Republican Congressman Chris Shays, -- yes, Virginia, there ARE a few moderate Republicans left in Congress -- said that DeLay should step down from his position of authority. Shays added that DeLay's "conduct is hurting the Republican Party'' and that the never-ending DeLay scandals are "hurting any Republican who is up for re-election." (are you listening, Jerry Kilgore?)
You think Shays was trying to help DeLay's political soul-mate Jerry Kilgore? Also, I wonder what Jerry's pal (and close DeLay ally), House Chief Deputy Majority Whip Eric Cantor (R-VA 7th District), has to say about all this.
And what about Jerry Kilgore himself? Doesn't he have any thoughts on the DeLay corruption scandals that he would care to share with Virginia voters? Would he at least join his fellow conservative Republican, Rick Santorum, in calling for DeLay to come clean with the American people? C'mon, Jerry, we're all ears!