[GOP Corruption]

Hammered.

And so the dominoes fall. Tom DeLay announced today that he will not seek to regain the Majority Leadership. Of course, he went out blaming the opposition, but they deserve none of the credit:

Today, I have asked Speaker Hastert to convene our conference for the purpose of electing a new majority leader, the position I have been honored to fill these past three years through the trust and confidence of our colleagues.

During my time in Congress, I have always acted in an ethical manner within the rules of our body and the laws of our land. I am fully confident time will bear this out.

However, we live in serious times and the United States House of Representatives must be focused on the job of protecting our nation and meeting the daily challenges facing the American people. History has proven that when House Republicans are united and focused, success follows.

While we wage these important battles, I cannot allow our adversaries to divide and distract our attention. I will continue to stand up for the issues I care so deeply about and work with you all on these priorities. I am constantly thankful for the support of my constituents in recent days as well as over the years they have allowed me to serve them. I will continue to work every day to fulfill their trust, and yours.

Regards, Tom DeLay

Ah, would that the Dems had taken DeLay down. Instead, it was his own greed and stupidity in spite of Democratic wimpyness that took him down. The Hammer has become toxic, and is the first domino to fall in what is likely to be the largest corruption scandal in American congressional history.

On a related note, I was watching McLaughlin group last night, and John asked one of his classic one-to-ten scale questions on the Abramoff scandal, asking how serious it was (ten is most serious). Every person on the panel, from paleocon Pat Buchanan to administration lapdog Tony Blankley to center right Mort Zuckerman to center left Eleanor Clift, all gave it a ten. Tony gave it a "ten to twelve." Serious times, folks. Get ready for the show--