by Patrick J. Buchanan – December 15, 1998

Tom DeLay is acting like a statesman! said an astounded Carl Bernstein. Bernstein, of Watergate fame, had just watched the majority whip shrug off Tim Russert’s observation that he and his colleagues may be risking a backlash that could lose them the House in 2000.

Bernstein is right, but it is not only DeLay — the emerging leader of the 105th Congress in its closing days — who is playing the statesman. Henry Hyde and his troops have exhibited a grace under pressure and a political courage many have been looking for from this Congress for four long years.