Hammer, we hardly knew ye

The knives are out for Tom DeLay.

No, not in Austin. In Washington.

No, not among the Dems. Among The Hammer's GOP homeboys.

It seems that congressional Republicans are ready to move past the Tom DeLay era of House leadership. They object to his unofficial hold on power after having officially stepped down following his indictment on criminal charges in Texas. Among the highlights: the Washington Post reports DeLay's staff are still sending out memos to congressmen as though they come from the majority leader; and when he reported to court in Austin, he was accompanied by capitol body guards, a service he enjoyed when he held the title of majority leader.

"My issue is having an indicted former leader hanging around the leadership offices," said one House Republican, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of DeLay's remaining authority. "This guy did so much good work getting us into the majority. Why does he want to stick around? He's not helping us."

"Tom DeLay should not be in a position of authority," said Rep. Christopher Shays (R-Conn.), who called for DeLay's resignation from the House leadership even before he was indicted. "He should not be calling the shots or driving the agenda, and if he is, that would be unfortunate."

Countering those are DeLay's ardent House supporters, dozens of whom now sport hammer-shaped lapel pins evoking DeLay's nickname, "The Hammer," to proclaim their allegiance. They say much of the discord is due to DeLay's departure from the leadership, not his continuing influence.

"This can't go on this way indefinitely," said Rep. Charles Bass (R-N.H.), a leader of House Republican moderates who wants an election in January to fill DeLay's slot. "We need to get this leadership issue behind us."

Really, this was only a matter of time. Frankly, it is surprising that it took this long. As loudly as DeLay proclaims his innocence, as badly as he tries to muddy the waters of public opinion, he is finished as a national political figure. Even if he is acquitted, he will find House Republicans unreceptive to his return as majority leader. No institution can long endure a power vacuum. The void will have to be filled, and the nature of power is that those who have it are usually inclined to keep it. Hence, the current situation. House Republicans were willing to play The Hammer's little game for a little while, but no longer.

That bell? It tolls for thee, Tom. So long.