Some context on the DeLay announcement:

It’s true that former GOP House Leader Tom DeLay’s decision probably saves the Republicans a seat for the majority. It also takes a huge election-year topic away from Democrats, who planned on using DeLay as a poster boy across the country.

The House GOP has seen some internal polling and focus group materials that indicate DeLay wasn’t going to be a huge drag on the party in the fall, but he was going to be a drag nonetheless.

We’re hearing that there was no undue pressure put on DeLay, that after winning his contested primary, he had a chance to sit back and look at where things were going. He was looking to raise at least $8 million to $10 million for his re-election, and for what? he wondered.

In the end, this decision is good for the party and may very well save between three to five seats for Republicans across the country. DeLay deserves the party’s thanks for his leadership and his service to our country.