Burnt Orange Report

DeLay Embarrassed, Heckled

By Byron LaMasters

You'd think it were Austin. The protesters for the DeLay event outnumbered supporters. Kuff has all the details.

Of course DeLay tried to make it a successful event, but no one really wanted to see him, except the protesters that is. Taking on Tom DeLay reports:

What an embarrassment for Tom DeLay. After sending 7500 invitations paid for by the University of Houston, for a reception honoring Tom DeLay, less than 100 attended, 50 of which were staff or worked at the university.

Outside in the hot sun were 150 enthusiastic protestors chanting "Don't DeLay. Indict today!" and "Tom DeLay has got to go". Three times as many protested Delay than those that honored him.

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On the inside there were 3 large tables filled with food for 400-500 people that was left untouched. Name tags of about 100 people were left on the table, from those who didn't bother to attend after making reservations.

And DeLay only spoke for about 3 minutes including taking time to address students who were distrubed his speech by singing.

This was to be an event to "introduce DeLay to his new district" according to an email sent from the University. Many believed this was a misuse of state funds and will be filing a complaint tomorrow in Austin.

Instead it turned out to be an embarrassment for DeLay. He later went to Deer Park where again there were more protestors than those attending the event.

Meanwhile, while Tom DeLay was heckled by his new constituents, according to friends in Dallas, there were 2000 people at Gilley's last night to support Martin Frost.