[DeLay himself drew the line sharply the day after the 2004 elections.] The Republican Party is a permanent majority for the future of this country, ... We're going to be able to lead this country in the direction we've been dreaming of for years.

Congressman DeLay is the single most powerful member of Congress. This has got to affect the Republican Party.

Tom DeLay is an historically giant figure in the ascendancy to power of the Republican Party for the last quarter of the 20th century and into the 21st century. If you look back at virtually everything we've accomplished, he's been vital to that success.

This is a bittersweet day for me, ... I would have liked my Republican Party to be in the forefront of this issue.

There's still three more years. Look, this has been a rough patch, as rough as this modern-day Republican Party has been through in 30 years. But while this has been going on, look at the other side of the aisle, no leaders, no ideas, no agenda.

It's a message to the Republican Party. We're not happy with our local politicians. We're not happy with Republicans that are out to have bigger government and increase our taxes. We're hoping that Mitch can talk to these guys tonight.