New York Has DeLay's Number

Everyone knows what kind of bad news this guy is - except Governor Pataki. Fortunately, some brave souls in the mainstream press aren't afraid to speak up. Alex Storozynski of the Daily News is a fine example. Pal Russ DiBello interprets this as a call for action (or inaction). We agree.

New York's no place to raise bucks for DeLay

House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-Tex.) is so notorious for his strong-arm tactics that he's known on Capitol Hill as the Hammer. Often, he bangs away at issues that hurt New York. That's why I'm surprised that Gov. Pataki is planning a fund-raiser for DeLay at '21' on Sept. 15.

Why should New Yorkers raise cash for a divisive politician who goes out of his way in Congress to shortchange their state? Even Mayor Bloomberg, who rarely criticizes other public figures, has denounced DeLay for trying to fleece New York.

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New York City remains high on the terrorists' target list, but DeLay is no help to us there, either. After 9/11, the Daily News and many others urged the feds to take over baggage screening at airports. DeLay tried to shoot down the idea because he wanted private rent-a-cops to continue doing the job. Luckily for America, he was overruled.

When he can't win on the merits, DeLay uses bullying tactics. For example, he is trying to stop Sen. Chuck Schumer's automatic weapons ban from being renewed. Most people want to keep automatic weapons off the streets, and President Bush has promised to sign the renewal. But DeLay vows to keep it from reaching the President's desk.

It may be too late for Pataki to cancel his fund-raiser for DeLay. But New Yorkers need not RSVP.

It's an old political adage that you don't reward your enemies.