Bell Tolls for Crooked GOP Leader

[He's not just another pretty face on awfulplasticsurgery.com]

Rep. DeLay Won't Seek Reelection

By Jonathan Weisman and Chris Cillizza, Washington Post

Rep. Tom DeLay (R-Tex.), a primary architect of the House Republican majority who became one of the most powerful and feared leaders in Washington, told House allies tonight that he will resign from the House rather than face a reelection fight that appears increasingly unwinnable.

The decision came just three days after his former deputy chief of staff, Tony C. Rudy, pleaded guilty to conspiracy and corruption charges, telling federal prosecutors of a criminal enterprise being run out of DeLay's leadership offices. By placing the influence-buying efforts of disgraced Republican lobbyist Jack Abramoff directly in DeLay's operation, the former aide may have made an already difficult reelection bid all but out of reach.

DeLay's decision capped a long, difficult slide from power that began in September, when a Texas grand jury indicted him on money-laundering and illegal campaign finance charges. Under House Republican rules, DeLay had no choice but to relinquish is post as House majority leader, but he vowed to beat the charges and quickly return to power.