SCOTUS Rejects DeLay Stay
By Vince Leibowitz on Aug 7, 2006 in 2006 Texas Elections, Replacing DeLay
SCOTUS Justice Antonin Scalia today rejected a request by the Republican Party of Texas to stay the Fifth Circuit Court’s ruling that requires Tom DeLay to stay on the ballot.
The GOP was seeking a stay of the Fifth’s ruling until the GOP could formally petition for review.
Since Scalia handles appeals from the Fifth, he got the claim and…well, trounced it:
Benkiser could file the request with another justice.
“Wow! That was quick,” said Cris Feldman, attorney for Texas Democrats who had not yet heard about the stay.
“That was a lightning-quick response. We’re very pleased by the court’s decision to deny the stay and it’s now time to move toward the general election and put this matter behind us,” said Feldman.
Once again, it’s time for DeLay to decide to sit back and be an armchair candidate or actually campaign. I’m starting to think, with the very fact that there was an appeal to the SCOTUS (I believe DeLay earlier said he’d do whatever the Fifth Circuit said) means DeLay may not bother with a campaign.
After all, all those “Re-Elect” signs can’t be used under Texas Election law. Since he’s not the incumbent, they’ve got to say “DeLay for Congress” or “elect DeLay.”
We recycle yard signs at my house. When the 5th Circuit Court ruled agin the GOP, I ran to the garage to see if I had one of those in stock but alas, no got. Would be such fun to put one out front instead of our usual “no hammer” symbol.