[Rodeo]

The sleazy, unapologetic Tom Delay has dropped out of the race for his seat in the House of Representatives. He will be forever remembered for raising the corruption bar of a corrupt city to new and alarming levels.

The "hero of the right" that sold his soul, and his office, to the highest bidder. Good riddance. Next stop should be prison.

Rep. DeLay Won't Seek Reelection

By Jonathan Weisman and Chris Cillizza
Washington Post Staff Writers
Monday, April 3, 2006; 10:35 PM

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 Monday night he will step down 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. Rudy's plea agreement did not implicate DeLay in any illegal activities, but 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, who turns 60 this Saturday, did not say precisely when he would step down, but under Texas law, he must take himself out of reelection consideration by August if his name is to be removed from the November ballot.

© 2006 The Washington Post Company