"The Exterminator" shows up at GOP Convention

Tom Delay, whose reputation in political circles is as toxic as the chemicals he once sprayed on Sugar Land's aphids and fleas, arrived in Minneapolis Monday to host a private party that attracted hundreds of cockroaches convention delegates and GOP officials.  His sudden appearance was not viewed with kindness by John McCain's campaign.  There has been a feud between the two men ever since Delay started criticizing McCain after he headed a senate investigation into the abuses of lobbyist Jack Abramoff that led to the House Majority Leader's indictment on criminal charges.  At the time nasty things were said on both sides, things that couldn't be forgiven and, to this day apparently, haven't been forgotten.  From ABC News:

Once known as "the hammer" for his hardball tactics on Capitol Hill, the featured entertainment at DeLay's party was the band Smash Mouth.  Asked his reaction to DeLay's appearance in Minneapolis, Congressman John Mica (R-FL) declined to answer and then head-butted the ABC camera.  (ABC has that Monty Python-esque video, if you're interested.)  Earlier this year, according to The Hill, DeLay accused McCain of "betraying" the conservative movement.  "He is no friend of ours," said one McCain campaign official.  "But you can't really keep him out of the city."  Ethics watchdog groups were appalled that DeLay would be back in the spotlight at the Republican convention.

Delay's appearance at the convention shouldn't come as a surprise to GOPers.  As any exterminator will tell you, roaches invariably seek out places of dirt and grime.