The President’s inner circle always treated DeLay as a necessary burden. He may have had an unmatched grip on the House and Washington lobbyists, but DeLay is not the kind of guy-in background and temperament-the President feels comfortable with. Of the former exterminator, a Republican close to the President’s inner circle says, “They have always seen him as beneath them, more blue collar. He’s seen as a useful servant, not someone you would want to vacation with.”

Via Matt Yglesias and Michael Crowley, who are loving every minute of it. As they should.

A DOWN YEAR AT THE MOVIES?: You better believe it, says Anthony Lane.

MORE ZYGOTES: Because you can’t get enough of the tiny little blighters, can you?

– posted by Ross