"A woman can take care of the family. It takes a man to provide structure. To provide stability." -- Majority Leader Tom DeLay in an interview with conservative commentator Armstrong Williams

Tom DeLay asks what's wrong with toxins?

"It's never been proven that air toxics (sic) are hazardous to people." -- Houston Chronicle, October 27, 1990

Tom DeLay knows who started the first Gulf War. Do you?

"The greenies have led us into the crisis in the Middle East... The rabid environmentalists felt it was more important to jeopardize the lives of our brave American servicemen than risk the death of a single snail darter." -- Washington Post, November 4, 1990

Tom DeLay scolds President Clinton for condemning slavery?

"Here is a flower child with gray hair doing exactly what he did back in the '60s: He is apologizing for the actions of the U.S." -- American Prospect, July/August Issue, 1998

Tom DeLay offers a novel view of American federalism

"I am the federal government." -- Responding to a security guard who told him to extinguish his cigar in accordance with the law of the federal government, Washington Post, May 15, 2003

Tom DeLay offers a few words about budget deficits?

"[Democrats] completely ignore the desperate need for deficit reduction which in itself would be a major step forward toward enhancing our Nation's competitiveness." -- House floor, September 22, 1992

Tom DeLay (and staff) audition for The Sopranos (A twofer)

"We're just following the old adage of punish your enemies and reward your friends. We don't like to deal with people who are trying to kill the [Republican] revolution. We know who they are. The word is out." -- Washington Post, 11/27/95

"This whole thing about not kicking someone when they are down is BS -- Not only do you kick him -- you kick him until he passes out -- then beat him over the head with a baseball bat -- then roll him up in an old rug -- and throw him off a cliff into the pound[ing] surf below!!!!!" -- DeLay office staff discussing the legal nuances of impeachment via e-mail that got leaked, Washington Post, 5/13/01

Tom DeLay on bipartisanship

"We have a small faction, and they are a minority, who believe they are there to govern. Then there is the majority of us who believe that indeed we are there to govern but more importantly we are there to be an opposition to the Democratic philosophy and the only way to do that is through confrontation." -- Houston Chronicle, April 14, 1991

Tom DeLay fingers the culprit behind the murders at Columbine: Daycare!

"It couldn't have been because we place our children in day care centers where they learn their socialization skills among their peers under the law of the jungle, while employees who have no vested interest in the children look on and make sure that no blood is spilled." -- House floor, June 1999

Tom DeLay tones down rhetorical excess

"the EPA, the Gestapo of government" -- PBS Newshour, December 21, 1995

Tom DeLay on honesty

"I am a firm believer in this program [Head Start] and the opportunities it provides for disadvantaged children." -- Letter to a constituent 8/20/91; from April 1986 to November 1991, Congressman Tom repeatedly voted against funding for Head Start.