Demagogue

Via Carpetbagger we find that DeLay's new, original strategy to protect himself from being infected by the Abramoff scandal is to boldly lie his ass off.

DeLay wrote a nine-page letter to thousands of GOP voters in his district, distancing himself from the disgraced Republican lobbyist activist in unusually strong language. Unfortunately, there are a few inconvenient facts that might get in the way.

"A final word on Jack Abramoff: the notion that he was a close friend who wielded influence over me is absolutely untrue," DeLay wrote. "As Whip and Majority Leader, I met with many people who brought issues before Congress and sought support of both Republicans and Democrats."

DeLay added: "The reality is, Jack Abramoff and I were not close personal friends. I met with him only occasionally, in fact less frequently than numerous others who brought issues before Congress — never did he receive preferential treatment."

The scope of DeLay's dishonesty is simply breathtaking. DeLay can claim now that he and Abramoff "were not close personal friends," but it's hard for DeLay and his allies to spin the fact that DeLay and Abramoff went to the Northern Mariana Islands together in 1997, at which time DeLay gave a public toast to Abramoff, calling him "one of my closest and dearest friends." The two took trips together; Abramoff helped DeLay reach the House GOP leadership; and Abramoff has hired a number of ex-DeLay staffers. DeLay met with Abramoff "only occasionally"? Please....Ultimately, DeLay is essentially telling his GOP allies in Texas, "With this nine-page letter, I'm counting on you being a special kind of stupid.