Imploding Republicans

George Allen's racial comments may be the tip of a looming Republican meltdown. Kentucky Republicans have been falling apart publicly over the ineptitude of indicted Gov. Ernie Fletcher, Ohio's governor has been convicted of misdemeanors, and Tennessee Republicans still have not recovered from the bitter primary to nominate a candidate for Bill Frist's seat. Republicans could lose their grip in all three states.

Now, Texas Republicans are imploding over Tom DeLay's old district in the Houston burbs.

DeLay started the downhill plunge by quickly withdrawing after winning the Republican primary. It then turned out that Texas law prevented the Republicans from replacing him on the ballot while DeLay ruled himself out by declaring himself a resident of Virginia.

The Republicans still could have campaigned around a write-in candidate with a decent chance of winning in a heavily Republican district. However, Texas Republican precinct chairmen have endorsed Houston Councilwoman Dr. Shelley Sekula-Gibbs over Sugar Land Mayor David Wallace and the protests of at least one county delegation in the district. If both Republicans continue to campaign, Democrat Nick Lampson is a shoe-in.

The Republicans have been winning close elections because they've been more coherent, more self-confident, better organized, and better funded than the Democrats. If the Republicans continue to implode, they will lose all of those advantages except the money. The Democrats may very well sweep in November.