I've been reading the comments on the post below and seeing a mix of excitement over the possibilities ahead and healthy skepticism about the committment of the new Congress towards reforming our campaign finance system. I have to say, the energy in these comments is very encouraging for our efforts to bring Clean Elections to Congress!

In the race for Majority Leader, early signs are that the Republicans are taking balloting seriously:

House Republicans are taking a mulligan on the first ballot for Majority Leader. The first count showed more votes cast than Republicans present at the Conference meeting.

(via Roll Call)

That's the ticket -- finally the GOP agrees they should count all the votes. Any paper ballots?

Crooks and Liars has the video -- watch it here.

He refused to take one iota of responsibility. He also claimed he'll win re-election in November.

Strangest re-election kick-off speech I've ever heard.

Here it is:

Dear Colleague:

Today, I have asked Speaker Hastert to convene our conference for the purpose of electing a new majority leader, the position I have been honored to fill these past three years through the trust and confidence of our colleagues.

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."

Tom DeLay will face a challenge in his 2006 primary from Attorney Michael Fjetland, reports today's edition of the Houston Chronicle. Fjetland has run against DeLay three times both as a Republican and an independent and lost each race. Says Fjetland:

I was not willing to run again. I had decided not to. But when the indictment came down, it became a whole new ballgame. It really does change the entire dimension of the whole thing. If he's convicted and I'm not on the ballot, then no one is.

GOP Lobbyists Plan Show of Support for DeLay, from Saturday's Washington Post.

They really don't care what it look like do they?

From the story:

Scandalized Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham (R-CA) announced tonight that he will not seek re-election when his term is up in 2006, the North County Times reports.

Just two weeks after federal agents raided his home, Cunningham said that he can do his job and defend his honor, but "I don't think I can do either of these things effectively in the midst of a political campaign."

Don't you wish you could see the internal polling?