If the letters to the editor are any indication, no one is buying Tom DeLay's flip-flop on METRO. The letters are reproduced below for posterity. In all fairness, it should be noted that one of the letter writers is Mike Fjetland, who is also running against DeLay in November. I believe an editorial footnote which mentions that fact is in order for this sort of thing, but as we know the Chron often lets its guest contributors slide on matters of self-identification.
180-degree heart change
Regarding the Chronicle's Aug. 14 article "[U.S. Rep. Tom] DeLay is changing his tune on future mass transit plans": I wonder if any of the construction companies involved in the Metropolitan Transit Authority's rail construction projects have made campaign donations to DeLay's campaign?
Was this an opportunistic political decision? Has DeLay explained his 180-degree change of heart?
JAMES BURRUS
Houston
Facing strong candidates
Tom DeLay, R-Sugar Land, has singlehandedly prevented Houston from receiving millions of dollars in yearly transportation funds for more than a decade. Light rail didn't fit into his mass-transit plan.
Now that he is down in the polls and facing two strong candidates in District 22, he suddenly embraces the Metropolitan Transit Authority ...
And yet Republicans call John Kerry a flip-flopper!
KAREN BYRD
Houston
Doing the rail dance
U.S. Rep. Tom DeLay is doing his usual pre-election "I like rail" dance, which will change if he's re-elected. He did the same thing in the prior two campaigns. He'd make noises for rail until he won the primary, then go back to the delay game. What's really happening is that he's polling under 49 percent and getting desperate.
MICHAEL FJETLAND
Houston
Henchman not changing
It would be wise to question Rep. Tom DeLay's change of heart regarding mass transit in Houston. While he now espouses a willingness to work with transit officials, his lapdog, Rep. John Culberson, continues to support the opposite position. If DeLay were sincere (not just looking for support at home while he battles legal problems in Washington) he would get Culberson to change his stance, too. DeLay gets to look like he has reasonable while his henchman continues to do his bidding. Leopards can't change their spots.
JERRY MILLER
Houston