Ok so yesterday we had the Rove Report dumping all over DeLay signaling what we thought was a White House move to cut the anvil free.
While the NYT and WaPo dump on DeLay, Frist is trying to look like Dr. Reasonable.
Today this AP story says Republicans blame the Dem's for trying to bully their leader.
House GOP Backs DeLay Amid Ethics Scandals
By DAVID ESPO
WASHINGTON (AP) - House Republicans expressed strong support for Majority Leader Tom DeLay on Wednesday, dismissing persistent Democratic criticism of the Texan as evidence of partisan politics.
"I don't see any wavering of the support for the leader. I think a lot of members think he's taking arrows for all of us," said Rep. Roy Blunt, third-ranking among GOP leaders.
Is this just more smoke and mirrors. Are they really dumping DeLay? If so is this display of unity designed to blame partisan Dem's for taking him down instead of having to explain why he's being dumped?
More ...
A little more from the article....
Blunt and others spoke out on DeLay's behalf as Democrats leveled a new charge - that the ethical controversy surrounding him was distracting from congressional efforts to tackle pressing problems.
"When politicians, the Republican majority, decides it is above the law, the American people are now seeing that they have a price to pay - at the pump, for their pharmaceuticals, and in the absence of initiatives that would help grow our economy, and to feed our children, provide for the health of our people, protect our environment, and, indeed, even provide for the common defense," said Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi of California.
DeLay, R-Texas, was admonished three times last year by the House ethics committee, and fresh questions have been raised in recent weeks about his overseas travel over several years. In addition, three associates are under indictment on state charges in Texas in connection with an effort to redraw the state's congressional districts.
So what are people's best guesses?
Are the house Republicans sending a message to Rove?
If this is GOP backlash against Rove how will he react?
If Delay falls because of Democratic efforts how will Rove retaliate for losing one of his henchmen?