Without Further DeLay

The Washington Post reports that former House majority leader Tom DeLay has announced his retirement:

Rep. Tom DeLay (R-Tex.), a primary architect of the House Republican majority who became one of the most powerful and feared leaders in Washington, told House allies Monday night he will step down from the House rather than face a reelection fight that appears increasingly unwinnable.

The decision came just three days after his former deputy chief of staff, Tony C. Rudy, pleaded guilty to conspiracy and corruption charges, telling federal prosecutors of a criminal enterprise being run out of DeLay's leadership offices. Rudy's plea agreement did not implicate DeLay in any illegal activities, but by placing the influence-buying efforts of disgraced Republican lobbyist Jack Abramoff directly in DeLay's operation, the former aide may have made an already difficult reelection bid all but out of reach.

DeLay, who turns 60 this Saturday, did not say precisely when he would step down, but under Texas law, he must take himself out of reelection consideration by August if his name is to be removed from the November ballot.

In recent memory DeLay has been dogged with allegations of corruption with the guilty pleas of Jack Abramoff and his former press secretary, Michael Scanlon, preceding the even more recent Rudy plea. I think this is a pretty strong indication that DeLay feels charges against himself are imminent, and that his future prospects will now depend on the work of prosecutors instead of pollsters.

Update: Mike Allen of Time has the exclusive interview with DeLay.