Boehner Gushes Over DeLay: ‘The Country Owes Tom a Great Debt of Gratitude’

In his campaign to replace Tom DeLay as House Majority Leader, Rep. John Boehner painted himself as a break from the past and a force for real reform:

WALLACE: OK. Congressman Shadegg, who just entered the race, and we’re about to hear from, says that neither you nor Roy Blunt represent a clean break from the scandals of the past. How do you respond?

BOEHNER: I’ve got a long record of real reform in Congress, and I think I can lead the effort to bring about the kind of reforms the American people are expecting from Congress.

But today Boehner showed his true colors, through a gushing ode to the criminally-indicted retiring Rep. Tom DeLay:

The country owes Tom a great debt of gratitude for helping lead America in a new direction — a direction outlined in the Contract with America that saw balanced budgets, historic welfare reforms, lower taxes, regulatory relief, and a renewed respect for the sanctity of life.

He has served our nation with integrity and honor, and I’m honored to call him my colleague and friend.

DeLay may be gone soon, but his House stands strong.