Newt and Tom: Jumping the Shark

If there were a Hollywood Squares of disgraced Washington figures, a tic-tac-toe of celebrity graft artists and campaign finance money launderers, of course Tom DeLay would occupy the center square. That would be the one where Paul Lynde often limp-wristed his way through half an hour of nonsense and guffawing, making people think that he was an actual celebrity, rather than a washed-up has-been with no other employment prospects.

Imagine DeLay in the spot, smiling his smarmy smile and waving to his supporters (whoever they are). He's been indicted, disgraced, forced to resign. The whole corrupt enterprise of Congress under the Hammer has been exposed as crooked, bringing down members of Congress, lobbyists, good friends and former staffers -- even one of DeLay's. Yet he's jumping the shark with his blog, affiliated with a new organization with the very silly acronym of GAIN (Grassroots Action and Information Network), through which he hopes to "keep our elected officials true to principle." DeLay, who has been known enjoy a messianic glow while portraying himself as a martyr unjustifiably persecuted by his enemies, is actually just self-parody made flesh. The only grassroots DeLay has ever cared about are those holding the tidy lawn in place where he plays golf.