Pretty Sweet

Today from The Hill:

So in today’s column, as they say over at Fox News, I will report and you can decide: Misquoted? Or not?

DeLay, Sept. 14:

Q: What are your thoughts about paying for Katrina costs? Specifically, do you like the idea of cuts in discretionary, domestic spending? Or Heritage Foundation is suggesting rescinding all the earmarks in the transportation bill to devoting that to rebuilding infrastructure in (Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama).

A: My answer to those that want to offset the spending is, “Sure, bring me the offsets.” I will be glad to do it, but no one has been able to come up with any yet.

Q: A minute ago, you said that nobody is going to be able to present you with any offsets that would work. That is essentially saying that the federal government is running at such peak efficiency that you can’t find offsets for this. Is the federal government in that good shape in this budget at this point?

A: Yes. After 11 years of Republican majority, we pared it down pretty good.

Q: So are you ready to claim victory in that? Are you guys there

A: I am ready to declare ongoing victory. It is still a process.

DeLay, Sept. 20:Opening statement, on Katrina spending:

DeLay said, “There are programs all over the federal budget that are bloated or wasteful or inefficiently used.”

Q: What portion of Katrina aid do you think is realistic to offset?

A: We are in the process of looking for offsets. I am very glad people are looking for offsets.

Q: Mr. DeLay, last week you said you thought that the federal budget was pretty much cut to the bone; (the) Republican Congress had done a pretty good job in getting rid of the waste. And you sort of indicated that you don’t know where else to look. But today you sound like there are places you can look. What is it?

A: Well, first of all, I never said that. I have been quoted in the last few days in saying there was no fat in the federal government. That is why we have this transcript. I never said that. And the spin on some of the stories are completely out of context of what I said. What I said was, fiscal restraint — and I said it inartfully, I know — I said is an ongoing victory. Ongoing is the operative word.

I'm thinking bullshit was the operative word, but ...

Lynn Sweet, delivered the goods.