The Rebel's Revenge

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Nevertheless, much of the campaign-ad subterfuge will continue. Even those who led the fight for the bill concede that the targeted 527 groups will simply reorganize in some other guise if they're bent on hiding their sugar daddies. Says election lawyer Kenneth Gross: "It doesn't mean a whole lot. It'll affect the process only at the margins."

As both sides of the issue return next week from their July 4th recess, they are re-loading their muskets. Reformers plan to gather Monday to pick which issue on their long list will drive their next ambush. DeLay has vowed to keep fighting just as hard to support groups like the Republican Majority Issues Coalition. "They're not going to intimidate me," said the outspoken whip. So, despite all the celebration, no one is calling for fireworks just yet. Unless they're for battle.