The Chronic Curmudgeon

What a prick, too...still thinking like a politician, "mugging" for his own mug shot. Sheesh.

Actually, I disagree. Were I his advisor, I'd have told him to do the exact same thing. You know the picture is going to get out there... why give the press Smoking Gun fodder, some sort of Nick Nolte-styled scowling or disheveled shot? Smile and look like a Congressman, not a criminal.

I don't like him -- hell, I'm chortling uncontrollably at the son of a bitch right now -- but he did exactly as I'd have told him to do. You're a comms guy too, man... and you know you'd have told your client the same thing.

Is it just me or does he look remarkably like the guy on the front page of The Post that spent $241K in a strip club?

Of course. But the larger point is, at moment when he ought to be contrite and SHOW it, he and his advisor are thinking about votes.

He doesn't feel he's done anything wrong, Brent. To be contrite, you have to know you're wrong.

Also, don't we all do things to protect our jobs?

What is the button on his lapel?

It's his "member of Congress" pin -- they all have them, it's what gets you on the special elevators and into all the special rooms (not every one of the 435 House members is a household face) at the Capitol and elsewhere.

Smart strategy on his end... knowing that the Dems were going to use this shot in every campaign ad in every market in 2006, he went out and looked as Congressional and leader-ly as possible. Denied them a photo ad. Smart strategy, actually.

The AP just did a story expounding on this very thing... http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9771955/

Again, Mudge...I agree with you. I'm simply lamenting the larger truths DeLay's mug shot speaks about the system we humans have created for ourselves.