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DeLay Leaves U.S. Politics with Low Numbers
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(Angus Reid Global Scan) - Few Americans have a positive view of a former House of Representatives majority leader, according to a poll by Rasmussen Reports. Only 20 per cent of respondents hold a favourable opinion of Texas congressman Tom DeLay.
DeLay faces a charge of money laundering for allegedly using funds from corporate donors to support legislative candidates in Texas. If convicted, DeLay could be fined up to $10,000 U.S. and sentenced to six months to two years in jail.
On Apr. 4, DeLay announced that he would not seek re-election, saying, "I think I could have won this seat but it would have been nasty. It would have cost a fortune to do it. (...) I have no fear whatsoever about any investigation into me or my personal or professional activities."
DeLay has been elected to the lower house of the U.S. Congress on 11 different occasions. In the 2004 ballot, he defeated Democrat Richard Morrison with 55 per cent of all cast ballots in Texas' 22nd Congressional District.
The election to the U.S. House of Representatives is scheduled for Nov. 7. 39 per cent of respondents believe DeLay's resignation will have no impact on the congressional ballot, while 29 per cent believe it helps the Democratic Party.
Polling Data
Do you have a favourable or unfavourable opinion of Tom Delay?
Apr. 2006 | Sept. 2005 | |
Favourable | 20% | 17% |
Unfavourable | 45% | 38% |
In this year's election, DeLay's resignation helps...
Has no impact | 39% |
Democrats | 29% |
Republicans | 15% |
Source: Rasmussen Reports
Methodology: Telephone interviews to 1,000 American adults, conducted on Apr. 5 and Apr. 6, 2006. Margin of error is 4.5 per cent.