Anne Kornblut of the New York Times scoops this story, which may have more serious implications than the earlier AP story for DeLay, on how Jack Abramoff is discussing a deal with prosecutors.

DeLay has officially filed for the March 7 GOP primary.

CQ (no link available) reports today that some Republicans have approached House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert (R-IL) asking for his help to urge Tom DeLay to give up his goal to return to the leadership. Hastert says he won't do it. A "senior Republican" is quoted saying that “The chances of a leadership election are better than 50-50."

According to a December 9-12 poll by NBC/WSJ of 1,006 voters nationwide, just 25% approve of the job Congress is doing.

And poxes all around:

But the poll finds that a whopping 79 percent believe both political parties have an equal problem with corruption and illegal activities. Just 12 percent say Republicans have a bigger problem, while 5 percent say Democrats have the bigger problem.

In a Boston Globe story about the leadership struggle brewing within the Republican House caucus, I caught this interesting tidbit:

As early as tomorrow, Texas Judge Pat Priest will reportedly determine whether DeLay will stand trial on criminal conspiracy and money laundering charges.

As AP writes up, this decision will likely decide whether or not the once Majority Leader becomes the once and future Majority Leader.

At issue are several developments:

Q: Guess who this quote is from:

"Short of some miracle, [Tom DeLay] will not be able to resurrect his political career..."

A: Molly Ivins
B: Roy Blunt
C: American Enterprise Institute
D: Democratic National Committee

The answer is.....................C.

Roll Call is reporting that DeLay is positioning himself to reclaim the Majority Leader post if his case is tossed by Judge Pat Priest.

According to CNN via Roll Call:

Wow -- Rep. Charlie Bass (R-NH-Moderate Wing), to the Union-Leader:

"When we have our majority leader being indicted and a bridge to nowhere, then it's time for us to reflect upon the Republican Party," Bass said.

DeLay lawyer Dick DeGuerin told the Houston Chronicle that he and his client want the trial to get underway as soon as possible.

"We've got to go forward — get to trial as soon as possible," DeGuerin said. "Tom DeLay has a primary in March. He has a leadership position. And in politics, nature abhors a vacuum."