The Importance Of Symbols

TNR's editorial from yesterday argues that although keeping Tom Delay in power would be in the interest of Democrats, the national interest would be served by his resignation.

The Bull Moose (Marshall Wittman) makes a great point in response:

For the good of Congress, they urge the Republicans to dump DeLay. The Moose begs to differ from his good friends at TNR. The Moose strongly believes in representative democracy, and no single individual reflects the banal corruption, the subservience to monied interests and the Elmer Gantry demagoguery of the Republican Party better than the esteemed Congressman from Sugar Land. The GOP House Republicans have spoken and now they must be punished.

If TNR's advice were adopted, Boss Tweed might be pitched off the side but Tammany would remain. Delay's crimes and trespasses of decency are just the most visible facet of the colossal wreck of Republican ethics.