But others were reluctant to talk openly about DeLay. Even House Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., ducked his own press conference over border security, the budget and financing of campaigns when it appeared DeLay would be the chief topic of reporters' questions.Instead, Hastert sent out House Majority Leader John Boehner of Ohio, Whip Roy Blunt of Missouri, Rules Committee Chairman David Dreier of California and Rep. Eric Cantor of Virginia to talk about the issues the speaker wanted to talk about - and to praise DeLay.
Cantor was such a staunch member of the DeLay/Abramoff machine - so much so that Abramoff had a sandwich named after Cantor at his deli - that he appears unable to break his ties easily. Even when DeLay flames out ignobly, Cantor is still praising him!
Prediction: Cantor will be providing a character reference at DeLay's sentencing.