The following is the text of the letter Tom Delay sent to colleagues
announcing his resignation as Majority Leader (via the

Associated Press)

Dear Colleague:

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

Delay of course couldn’t leave without trying to get a couple jabs in at
Democrats there. Remember it was the Democrats who forced him to act in an
unethical matter. Yeah and the moon is made of cheese.

This is actually a big shift in the past 24 hours. Yesterday when news of the
push to force a leadership election in the House broke, Delay’s office had this
to say:

“Mr. DeLay appreciates that a majority of his colleagues recognize he
remains committed to fulfilling his responsibilities as majority leader as
soon as he’s exonerated in Texas and won’t give in to what is essentially
character assassination by insinuation,” DeLay spokesman Kevin Madden said.

View complete article

here.

That appeared in this morning’s Washington Post so things have changed
rapidly in Delay’s office. This now has got me wondering if Delays did not
receive a target letter from prosecutors investigating the Abramoff scandal.
That could be a big possibility.