Not that long ago, House Republicans briefly changed their ethics rules to protect the job of their corrupt majority leader, Tom DeLay. They were full of power, and full of themselves, and they could, by God, force anything they wanted down the throats of the American people, who could like it or lump it. They had rigged the game so that they could never be beaten, and DeLay had done more than anyone to rig it.

Times are changing:

Rep. Tom DeLay (R-Tex.), a primary architect of the Republican majority who became one of the most powerful and feared leaders in Washington, told House allies last night that he will give up his seat rather than face a reelection fight that appears increasingly unwinnable.