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  List of Editorials Against DeLay Latest News on Tom DeLayThe DeThrone DeLay website is no longer being updated. For the latest on corruption in government, please visit our new website, CleanUpWashington.org.• Once upon a time this might have been shocking. The Austin American-Statesman reports that on the same day last March that the law firm of Cassidy & Associates won a $180,000 contract to lobby in Washington on behalf of the state of Texas, $6,306 in contributions were made to ARMPAC by the firm's PAC and its two VPs. The donations were to help with the cost of a fundraiser Cassidy & Associates chairman Gregg Hartley was hosting for DeLay that night. Two weeks later Hartley wrote another check to DeLay's PAC for $5,000. -- Jan. 27, 2006 • Can't wait to hear what else they have to say about this: The Houston Chronicle reports that Campaign for America's Future and the Public Campaign Action fund do not have to reveal the source of funding for their recent anti-DeLay television spots. The federal government does not require contributors to such non-profits to be publicly disclosed. With the DeLay camp defeated in its drive to get the ad pulled from local stations, spokeswoman Shannon Flaherty resorted back to brass politics. Acknowledging the groups have no legal responsibility to reveal their donors, Flaherty stated:
At this point, DeLay and company do not seem to be trying too hard to hide their own agendas, either. -- Jan. 26, 2006 • Washington Post: Hammering Away -- Jan. 26, 2006 • The subpoenas just keep coming. As a follow-up to those issued last week, DA Ronnie Earle has sent out a second batch of subpoenas, as he digs into a possible connection between DeLay and former Rep. Randy Cunningham. Both men received donations from PerfectWave Technologies in 2002, a group with questionable ties to DeLay's TRMPAC. For his part, Cunningham resigned from office last November, having accepted $2.4 million in bribes from special interests while a member of the House. -- Jan. 25, 2006 • A Houston television spot that began calling for DeLay's resignation last week is still creating quite a buzz. However, neither the two sponsoring organizations nor the citizens of Houston seem overly intimidated by the fuss coming out of the DeLay camp. According to a website poll conducted by local station KPRC, seventy-three percent of Houstonians responding "do not agree with the TV station's [initial] decision [to pull the ad] and feel...[it] should be broadcast." Regardless of earlier problems getting their ad aired, Campaign for America's Future and Public Campaign Action Fund have allotted $115,000 for a television, radio, and billboard ad campaign targeting DeLay and Rep. Bob Ney of Ohio. -- Jan. 24, 2006 • Prosecutor Ronnie Earle has subpoenaed Robert G. Mills, DeLay's former campaign manager, hoping to shed some light on a $500,000 contribution from the National Republican Congressional Committee to the U.S. Family Network in 1999. Mills ran the U.S. Family Network. According to the Washington Post, the donations came from criminal lobbyist Jack Abramoff. Earle has requested the information in connection to DeLay's indictment for money laundering. -- Jan. 24, 2006. • Despite pushes by some of his Republican colleagues, Rep. Joel Hefley of Colorado will not run for House majority leader. He has been offered as an "anti-Tom DeLay" candidate given his service on the House ethics committee and his all-around clean image. It seems more and more inevitable that the next majority leader will stand as only a nominal improvement over the old. -- Jan. 24, 2006 • This weekend, the Houston Chronicle defended the methodology of a recent poll it conducted that indicates dwindling support for DeLay in his district. -- Jan. 24, 2006. • Today several Houston television stations will air a spot calling for DeLay to resign. The ad had been pulled last week following threats of legal action by DeLay's attorneys. Local NBC and FOX affiliates will show a revised version of the ad, which has been funded in part by Campaign for America's Future. CBS and ABC in Houston will decide today if they will run the piece as well. Said DeLay spokeswoman, Shannon Flaherty, of these developments:
Or maybe they are just tired of being bullied around. -- Jan. 23, 2006 • DA Ronnie Earle has issued five subpoenas for bank statements of Perfect Wave Technologies, a California business associated with disgraced former congressman Duke Cunningham, who last year admitted to accepting millions of dollars in bribes while in office. Perfect Wave Technologies donated to $15,000 to DeLay's TRMPAC. -- Jan. 20, 2006 • The 3rd Court of Appeals has been asked by Fort Bend County prosecutors to reconsider the dismissal of a conspiracy charge in the criminal case pending against DeLay in Texas. DeLay's legal team will file briefs before the court decides whether to hear oral arguments on the matter. -- Jan. 19, 2006 • A poll conducted by the Houston Chronicle illustrates that DeLay is merely a shadow of his formerly indomitable self. A sampling of more than 500 registered voters in DeLay's Sugar Land district indicates that, though he would likely win the Republican nomination, 30 percent of his constituents favor Democratic challenger Nick Lampson, as compared to only 22 percent who said they plan to vote for DeLay come November. DeLay spokesperson Shannon Flaherty commented on the numbers:
No one ever said the man didn't deliver. It's his M.O. that leaves much to be desired. -- Jan. 17, 2006 • A non-partisan citizen group has reviewed an ad released last week in Houston detailing DeLay's various dealings with Abramoff, and has concluded that it contains no factual inaccuracies. Says Factcheck.org of the Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania:
Last week, several local stations pulled the ad, following threats by the DeLay camp of legal action against those who aired it. -- Jan. 17, 2006 • Washington Post: Ground the D.C. Jet Set -- Jan. 17, 2006 • Tom Campbell, an environmental lawyer and one of three candidates opposing DeLay in the March primaries, has a solid Republican track record, according to the Associated Press. Said Campbell, of his decision to run against the once dominant DeLay, despite having never held elected office:
Undoubtedly referencing the legal cloud that has hung over DeLay's head in recent months, Campbell stated:
It is clear, however, that chairman of the Fort Bend County GOP, Eric Thode, doesn't believe Campbell has a snowball's chance on a hot Texas day of emerging victorious. Said Thode:
Talk about playing favorites... -- Jan. 13, 2006 • Today Rep. John Shadegg of Arizona announced he will run for majority leader on a platform of ethical reform. Said Shadegg, before officially launching his campaign:
Meanwhile, acting majority leader Blunt yesterday claimed he is only a few votes shy of the 116 necessary to secure victory. Boehner promises he is not far behind. Both have strong ties to criminal lobbyist Jack Abramoff. The election is set for Feb. 2. -- Jan. 13, 2006 • House minority leader Nancy Pelosi has called for the ethics committee to investigate the conduct of California Reps. John Doolittle, Richard Pombo, and others, particularly their reported dealings with Abramoff. -- Jan. 13, 2006 • Public Citizen's own Frank Clemente and Craig Holman wrote an editorial on money and lobbying for yesterday's Washington Examiner. • Washington Post: GOP Contest Guided by Lessons of Battles Past -- Jan. 13, 2006 • DeLay has proven yet again that he still wields formidable power in Texas. His legal team has succeeded in thwarting a TV ad campaign highlighting DeLay's links to Abramoff. Yesterday, DeLay's attorney threatened legal action against local stations that ran the spot, claiming it contained "inconsistencies." Consequently, four Houston stations will not show the ad. Tony Chaudhuri of Campaign for America's Future, one of the organizations who funded the campaign, commented on that strategy:
The ad will air on cable channels and is available on the Internet. -- Jan. 12, 2006 • Now that it's official that DeLay will not return as majority leader, his staffers are packing up and moving out of the leadership suite. DeLay will lose most perks of that post, including fancy office space, additional aides, and prime parking spots. However, he will likely retain his driver and security entourage, available to legislators who have been targeted by threats. Said DeLay spokesman Kevin Madden of the ongoing shakeup and downsizing:
How sweet. Still, if his aides follow in the steps of their predecessors, DeLay will have plenty of interaction with them once they move to lucrative jobs on K Street. -- Jan. 12, 2006 • The Associated Press via Forbes Magazine details some connections and similarities between Tom DeLay and Roy Blunt, a frontrunner for majority leader. Not only does Blunt have dangerous ties to Abramoff--the likes of which recently forced DeLay to resign his post--but Blunt's family is also firmly entrenched in the politics of favoritism. One of his sons is governor of Missouri and his wife and another son are lobbyists. Evidence suggests Blunt has used his stature as majority whip to benefit all three. Undoubtedly aware of the need to distance himself from swirling charges of scandal and cronyism, Blunt has stated that, as majority leader, he "would move swiftly to enact new lobbying reforms and enhanced penalties for those who break the public trust." Doing so would not only mandate a career makeover for Blunt, but require him to get some new friends as well. -- Jan. 11, 2006 • DeLay and Ohio Rep. Bob Ney are targeted in a new ad campaign highlighting the lawmakers' respective ties to the Abramoff disgrace. Sponsored by Campaign for America's Future and Public Campaign Action Fund, the ad will begin airing today on Houston television stations, near DeLay's Sugar Land district, and run through next week. Talking Points Memo has uncovered a clip of the ad on KHOU.com. DeLay has meanwhile threatened to sue the station if it airs the commercial. For its part, KHOU is reviewing the content to confirm its credibility. -- Jan. 11, 2006 • DeLay's now legendary jaunts to Scotland and the Mariana Islands are undoubtedly responsible in part for Rep. Dreier's proposal for an outright ban on all privately-funded travel for members of Congress. Dreier (R-CA) has also called to slow the revolving door between careers on Capitol Hill and K Street. -- Jan. 11, 2006 • Everyone seems to have thoughts on the Republican Party's response to continually emerging evidence of House corruption: - Miami Herald: GOP Should Take the Lead in Cleaning Up Ethical Lapses -- Jan. 11, 2006 • Abramoff's name came up in an interesting statement made by Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) during yesterday's committee hearings on Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito. Said Graham, amidst laughter:
Hmmm... We'll keep that in mind the next time Graham appears on the witness stand. -- Jan. 11, 2006 • The taint of the once-dynamic duo indeed reaches far and wide. Alexander Strategy Group, a Washington lobbying firm owned by former top DeLay staffer Ed Buckham, has announced it will cease operation almost entirely at the end of this month, scarred by its associations with Abramoff and DeLay. Buckham, whose firm employed DeLay's wife Christine for several years, commented:
The Washington Post writes:
-- Jan. 10, 2006 • Acting majority leader Roy Blunt and Ohio Rep. John Boehner appear to be frontrunners in the upcoming GOP House leadership elections. Today Blunt named 39 confirmed supporters; Boehner countered with eighteen. Reps. Charlie Bass (NH) and Jeff Flake (AZ), however, are not impressed with the prospective candidates for majority leader. The Associated Press explains:
Without question, the removal of DeLay from power has in no way assured a cleaner, more ethical House--yet. Here's hoping that the new boss will not simply be a clone of the old boss. -- Jan. 10, 2006 • Just another example: The Associated Press via USA Today reports that, in Dec. 2001, DeLay called upon the Department of Justice to intervene in a matter affecting one of Abramoff's clients, the Mississippi Choctaw tribe, who had made a donation to DeLay's TRMPAC the month before. Former attorney general John Ashcroft did not honor DeLay's request. -- Jan. 10, 2006 • Washington Post: DeLay's Texas Model. -- Jan. 10, 2006 • The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals has just denied DeLay's bid for an immediate trial, summarily refusing to throw out the remaining charges against him. Always articulate, DeLay's attorney DeGuerin dismissed the possibility that DeLay might cop a plea. Said DeGuerin:
Facing a March primary that will likely be his most challenging yet, DeLay is anxious to get his trial over with soon. Said DeGuerin:
It seems that DeLay has finally realized that his top priority should be staying out of jail. -- Jan. 9, 2006 • Here we go again... The LA Times reports that California Reps. John Doolittle and Richard Pombo worked with DeLay to thwart a probe by federal regulators of Charles Hurwitz, a Houston millionaire involved in the downfall of a Texas savings and loan. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. had sought $300 million in damages for Hurwitz's actions, which cost taxpayers an estimated $1.6 billion. Writes the Times:
Gee. Once upon a time, such a story might have been surprising. -- Jan. 9, 2006 • In case you missed it: DeLay formally resigned from his post as majority leader on Saturday amid calls within his party for a new leadership election. Meanwhile, DeLay will retain his congressional seat and seek reelection this fall. The Associated Press via the San Francisco Chronicle offers the full text of DeLay's letter to House colleagues. Who could possibly fill shoes the size of DeLay's? Acting majority leader Roy Blunt of Missouri, for one, is likely to seek official election to the post. Other potential candidates include Reps. Mike Rogers (MI) and John Boehner (OH). Shortly after the news broke this weekend, Rogers praised DeLay, calling him "a leader who has consistently put the Conference before himself." Boehner meanwhile deemed DeLay one of the party's "most effective and gifted leaders." If these statements are indicative of the qualities these men intend to bring to the job, it looks like not much will change. PoliticalMoneyLine profiles the top contenders. -- Jan. 9, 2006 • Houston Chronicle: Key leadership and ethics events for US Rep. Tom DeLay -- Jan. 9, 2006 • Roll Call reports that Republican Reps. Charlie Bass (NH) and Jeff Flake (AZ) are circulating a petition for a new House leadership election. In order for such an election to occur, fifty House Republicans have to sign the petition to first call together a party conference. Then a majority of Republican representatives must vote to hold an election. As it stands, the petition has been signed by at least twelve members. -- Jan. 6, 2006 • Yesterday Prosecutor Earle subpoenaed records of a $500,000 contribution made in 1999 by the National Republican Congressional Committee to the U.S. Family Network, a public advocacy group once cozy with DeLay. Former DeLay chief of staff Edwin Buckham and Christopher Geeslin, a Maryland pastor, have also been subpoenaed due to their connections to the organization. In usual form, DeLay's attorney DeGuerin has denied any significance of Earle's latest move, saying simply:
-- Jan. 6, 2006 • While many politicians are dropping donations from scandal-entrenched lobbyist Abramoff in attempts to say afloat while his ship goes down, other lawmakers are indeed keeping funds tainted by the stench of Abramoff's corruption. From the Associated Press: - Lawmakers Giving Up Abramoff-Linked Funds. -- Jan. 6, 2006 • Today's Washington Post discusses the potential implications of Abramoff's plea agreement for DeLay's bid to reclaim his leadership office:
Perhaps the rank-and-file of the GOP hope that if they drag their feet long enough, this whole mess will disappear. Thanks to Mr. Abramoff, that doesn't seem likely to happen. -- Jan. 5, 2006 • The New York Times reports that many senior Republican officials are returning contributions linked to Abramoff, following the infamous lobbyist's plea agreement with federal investigators earlier this week. Two notables: Tom DeLay will give $15,000 in funds he received from Abramoff to local charities. The Bush administration, meanwhile, will donate to the American Heart Association the $6,000 contributed to the president's 2004 campaign by Abramoff, his wife, and one of his lobbying clients. (Early estimates suggested the sum given to the Bush administration was much higher.) -- Jan. 5, 2006 • While Abramoff was cutting a deal with prosecutors yesterday, Ford Bend County DA Ronnie Earle was busy subpoenaing documents that might spell out direct connections between DeLay's TRMPAC and money from sources associated with Abramoff. In total, four subpoenas were issued to law firms that formerly employed the lobbyist and to Indian tribes, one of which paid for his services. DeLay is wisely trying to stay on Abramoff's good side as the ex-lobbyist begins talking to investigators. Said DeLay attorney Dick DeGuerin:
Of course not. Birds of a feather... -- Jan. 4, 2006 • Against the backdrop of Abramoff's plea agreement, DeLay's legal woes may loom even larger. Defense attorney Dick DeGuerin said of his client's pending request for an immediate trial:
Prosecutor Earle, for one, has not been swayed by Bush's endorsement of the second most powerful Republican in the House, calling DeLay's request "a bold attempt to bully his way to the very front of the line simply and solely to serve his own political interests and ambitions." -- Jan. 4, 2006 • In response to recent development's involving DeLay's once-close pal Abramoff, the Bush administration has announced it will donate to the American Heart Association the amount the president's 2004 campaign accepted in contributions from the embattled lobbyist--a sum that might exceed $100,000. -- Jan. 4, 2006 • Just in: Deposed superlobbyist Jack Abramoff will plead guilty to three of six charges against him in the ongoing federal probe of his professional activities and associations. In addition to the felony charges of conspiracy, fraud, and tax evasion in that case, Abramoff is expected to concede to charges of fraud and conspiracy in connection to his purchase of a fleet of Florida Suncruz casino boats. In exchange for cooperating with continuing investigations of his cohorts on Capitol Hill, Abramoff is likely to get a substantially reduced sentence, including a maximum of only ten years in prison. And what might this mean for our dear DeLay? Not much, his lawyer Richard Cullen assures us. Said Cullen:
When money and jail-time are at stake, it seems prudent to expect the unexpected. Then again, prudence is one thing the DeLay camp has never been accused of. -- Jan. 3, 2006 • The Associated Press via the San Francisco Chronicle provides a timeline of significant events in the Abramoff investigation. -- Jan. 3, 2006 • The Washington Post offers a detailed account of the ties between DeLay, a certain "non-profit" organization, and professional mercenary Jack Abramoff. Records have revealed that the U.S. Family Network, an advocacy group closely linked to Rep. DeLay during the late 1990s, was financed by Abramoff-associated corporations. Writes the Post:
DeLay's spin team has undoubtedly been overburdened in recent months, which perhaps explains why they must regurgitate the same line for each emerging scandal. We get it already. We're just not buying it. -- Jan. 3, 2006 • Yesterday's AP report of a Texas criminal court agreeing to hear DeLay's petition for an expedited trial appears to be incorrect. As it turns out, justices of the court agreed merely to consider hearing DeLay's money laundering a case. The source of the false report is none other than DeLay's spokesman, Kevin Madden. The San Antonio Express-News prints text from an email sent to reporters by Madden:
Shouldn't the press know by now not to trust a DeLay spokesman? -- Dec. 29, 2005 • We were only kidding when we referred to Rep. DeLay as Tommy 'Goodfellas' DeLay, but it seems the nickname fits at least one of the players in DeLay's universe--DeLay's former 'closest and dearest friend' Jack Abramoff. This morning, the Washington Post leads with an in-depth look at Jack Abramoff's career, from moviemaker to lobbyist to indicted Washington insider. Grab the popcorn, as this is sure to be a gripping read. Also don't forget to check out this diagram detailing the Abramoff's money train. -- Dec. 29, 2005 • The Associated Press reports that a Texas criminal court has agreed to hear DeLay's request for a speedier trial. -- Dec. 28, 2005 • The Dallas Morning News names Texas district attorney Ronnie Earle as one of their 'Texans of the Year.'
-- Dec. 27, 2005 • The Nation alerts us to this quote from DeLay in 1998: "This nation sits at a crossroads. One direction points to the higher road of the rule of law...The other road is the path of least resistance" in which "we pitch the law completely overboard when the mood fits us...[and] close our eyes to the potential lawbreaking...and tear an unfixable hole in our legal system." The hypocrisy is practically stifling. -- Dec. 27, 2005 • As the screws turn in Abramoff, Washington lawmakers are scrambling to absolve themselves by returning the bundles of cash they've received from the once powerful lobbyist. Rep. Sam Brownback and Sen. Conrad Burns are among the latest to return Abramoff's dirty money. -- Dec. 22, 2005 • Oh, it doesn't look good for Tommy 'Goodfellas' DeLay. The Washington Post reports that Jack Abramoff is negotiating a possible plea deal with the Justice Department. In exchange for a guilty plea, Abramoff would presumably 'cooperate' in the department's sweeping political corruption investigation focused on his dealings with members of Congress and executive branch officials. Tommy's 'closest and dearest friend' might turn out to be a rat, afterall. -- Dec. 21, 2005. • The Associated Press has some jaw-dropping numbers that illustrate the extravagence of the former Majority Leader's lifestyle. Reports the AP via the Washington Post:
$10,000 worth of restaurant food? No wonder Rep. DeLay is keen on cutting home heating subsidies for the poor. What's a measely 200$ heat subsidy for a family of four? Just another dinner at his favorite restaurant. -- Dec. 21, 2005 • In a desperate attempt to regain his seat as the House Slayer--er, Majority Leader, DeLay's lawyers are now playing the 'congressional business' card. The Houston Chronicle reports that DeLay's lawyers have petitioned the judge to separate an appeal from the money-laundering charge so that DeLay can get an earlier trial. DeLay's defense team has claimed that a long trial could interfere with congressional business. Next, they'll be claiming a long trial could endanger national security. -- Dec. 20, 2005 • Alternet.org provides an excellent rundown of the Abramoff scandal and all those involved, including our dear Rep. DeLay. -- Dec. 20, 2005 • DeLay filed for reelection in his district's Republican primary this morning. His opponent is expected to be Nick Lampson, who has run against DeLay in previous elections. -- Dec. 20, 2005. • The conservative Albany Times-Union urges the Supreme Court to rule DeLay's redistricting scheme unconstitutional. In its editorial, the Times-Union takes a walk down memory lane for the corrupt hijinks of the indicted Republican leader:
Aw, doesn't it just give you the warm fuzzies inside? In more subdued language, The LA Times also urges the Supreme Court to rule against DeLay's redistricting scheme. -- Dec. 19, 2005 • The GOP House leadership election watch continues. CNN.com reports this morning that the GOP caucus may not decide on whether to convene a leadership election until after President Bush's State of the Union Address on January 31. DeLay has advised his colleagues to mark their calendars for December 27th, when it will become more clear as to 'what lies ahead' (like jail time?). -- Dec. 19, 2005 • The heat surrounding Jack Abramoff continues to spread like wildfire, and Sen. Conrad Burns (R-MN) is trying to save his skin. One of four congressmen openly implicated in the ongoing investigation of Abramoff, Burns has announced that he will return $150,000 in contributions from the lobbyist, his clients, and his associates. This move comes in response to questions regarding the propriety of the donations, including one from a garment company in the Marianas Islands who was trying to defeat legislation going through a committee of which the senator was then a member. Said Burns of his decision to return the money:
In a recent interview with a local Montana television station, Burns made a far more pugnacious attempt to distance himself from the growing infamy of the embattled lobbyist, stating:
Strong rhetoric, indeed, especially from a man who, from 2001 to 2004, accepted more money linked to Abramoff than of any other member of Congress. Regardless of Burns' efforts, The Missoulian, for one, has already called for him to rethink any bid for reelection. -- Dec. 16, 2005 • The New York Times reports that new evidence has surfaced in the ongoing investigation of Jack Abramoff, suggesting that he cited direct pressure from DeLay in requesting donations from his clients. In an email to the Tigua Indians, Abramoff claimed DeLay had even personally called his office in search of desired funds. However, in a separate email to an employee, Abramoff acknowledged having doctored at least one of the documents in question before forwarding it to potential donors. It is not entirely clear if this correspondence was directly linked to any subsequent contributions. -- Dec. 15, 2005 • According to Newsday, Adam Kidan, a close associate of Jack Abramoff, is likely to plead guilty to conspiracy and wirefraud for his part in the 2000 takeover of SunCruz, a Florida fleet of casino boats. A confession by Kidan, especially coupled with that made last month by former DeLay spokesman Mike Scanlon for his part in the ordeal, increases pressure for Abramoff to begin talking, especially since he likely has far more information to trade with prosecutors. Of particular interest to investigators will be his intimate knowledge of details at the heart of an ongoing probe of several of his associates on Capitol Hill. -- Dec. 15, 2005 • During an interview with Fox News yesterday, President Bush stated he believes DeLay to be innocent. Said the president:
Moreover, admitting that he is "not, frankly, all that familiar with a lot that's going on over at Capitol Hill," Bush referred to DeLay's scandal-ridden GOP lobbyist pal Jack Abramoff as "an equal money dispenser," despite records indicating that his political contributions heavily favored Republicans. Lest the chief executive be charged with favoritism, he made similar comments in defense or support of embattled GOP politicians in his administration as well, namely Vice President Dick Cheney, senior aide Karl Rove, and Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld. These comments and other recent developments lead inquiring minds to wonder when the bubble Bush has inhabited for the past several years will finally burst. -- Dec. 15, 2005 • The Star-Telegram offers a discussion of the intricacies and implications of the looming Supreme Court hearing on the 2003 redistricting of Texas. -- Dec. 16, 2005 • Contrary to assurances given in April, Doc Hastings (R-WA), chairman of the House ethics committee, has indicated that the charges against DeLay are not likely to be immediately investigated once the committee is up and running in the new year. The Hill reports that the activities of at least three other members, including Reps. McDermott, Jefferson, and Ney, will be examined before DeLay's case will be considered. -- Dec. 14, 2005 • DeLay will apparently have a bit more company than usual during this spring's primary. Pat Baig, a political novice and former special education teacher, has already begun campaigning for the Republican nomination, though she has not yet officially registered as a candidate. Said Baig, on her decision to run:
But don't hold your breath. Eric Thode, chairman of the Ford Bend County Republican Party, likens the chances of DeLay's challengers to "as close to zero as zero." -- Dec. 14, 2005 • Ronnie Earle has subpoenaed bank records, correspondence, and other accounting information from several defense contractors implicated in the case of disgraced former congressman Duke Cunningham. He hopes those documents will shed new light on the questionable corporate contributions at the heart of DeLay's criminal indictment. -- Dec. 14, 2005 • Media Matters discusses the prevalence of political spin from the DeLay camp and its allies regarding the tactics of DA Ronnie Earle. -- Dec. 14, 2005 • And the beat goes on... Prosecutors filed a motion yesterday to postpone DeLay's trial while they appeal of last week's dismissal of one charge of conspiracy. Judge Priest has indicated that a hearing on that request, as well as the defense's motion to sever the remaining charges of conspiracy and money laundering will be held on Dec. 27. Said DeLay spokesman Kevin Madden of the district attorney's lasted move:
-- Dec. 13, 2005 • Michael Fjetland, who has been defeated by DeLay in three previous contests, has officially filed as a Republican candidate for DeLay's seat and will square off against him in the March primaries. In an interesting side note, upon DeLay's victory in 2004, Fjetland promised not to run again for DeLay's seat if the powerful majority leader would secure him a job in the Bush administration. DeLay did not respond. Here's hoping Fjetland gets the last laugh. -- Dec. 13, 2005 • New York Times: A Republican Tom DeLay Problem -- Dec. 13, 2005 • Late breaking: The U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments about the constitutionality of the 2003 DeLay-led redistricting of Texas. Four of the seven appeals filed by opponents of the newly-drawn map will be heard, probably in April. -- Dec. 12, 2005 • Maybe he really doesn't care about appearances. Or maybe he just likes the food. Either way, DeLay will appear as the keynote guest at a fundraiser at the Capitol Hill Club on Wednesday to benefit the reelection efforts of Congressman Trent Franks (R-AZ). A $1,000 donation is required to attend the reception, while $2,000 will buy dinner. Said Franks:
Arizona voters, take note. -- Dec. 12, 2005 • The Houston Chronicle discusses Judge Priest's guidelines for proving DeLay guilty of money laundering. Writes the Chronicle:
-- Dec. 12, 2005 • Washington Post: Chinks in the Republican Armor • Fort-Wayne News Sentinel: Beyond DeLay • The Olympian: Congress needs an ethics panel -- Dec. 12, 2005 • The LA Times reports that hearings in the Texas Republican's money-laundering and conspiracy case against DeLay won't be scheduled until after Christmas. -- Dec. 9, 2005 • Don't be surprised if your member of Congress is looking a little ragged these days. Tension is running high in Washington, as Bloomberg reports that Abramoff will have to inform against high-ranking political figures if he is to secure any significant reduction in sentencing, former prosecutors said. -- Dec. 9, 2005
Meanwhile, Speaker Hastert has suggested that members brush up on House rules, possibly by attending an ethics seminar. Rep. Thaddeus McCotter (R-MI), for one, objected, saying,
How true. -- Dec. 8, 2005 • The wheels appear to be coming off of the Abramoff bandwagon. Adam Kidan, who is under indictment along with super-lobbyist Abramoff on charges of wire fraud and conspiracy, is apparently going to cop a plea with prosecutors next week, agreeing to cooperate in the investigation in exchange for a substantially reduced prison term. Former DeLay press secretary and Abramoff associate Mike Scanlon made a similar deal last month, likely spelling trouble for Abramoff and his cohorts who have thus far thrived on the loyalty of their cronies. -- Dec. 8, 2005 • The Washington Post reports that Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Arlen Specter (R-PA) has tentatively placed a hearing on the actions of the Justice Department in approving the controversial 2003 Texas redistricting plan on next year's agenda. -- Dec. 8, 2005 • Is this guy for real?! The Hill reports that, despite his indictment on charges of money laundering, DeLay is apparently interested in reclaiming a spot on the powerful House Appropriations Committee, responsible for spending taxpayers' money. Rep. Duke Cunningham, who admitted to accepting millions of dollars in bribes while a member of Congress, resigned from the House last week, creating an opening on the committee. Perhaps it is meant to be. Unethical shoes the size of Cunningham's can only be filled by the likes of DeLay. -- Dec. 8, 2005 • Yesterday the husband of the late Terri Schiavo announced his formation of a political action committee designed to stave off government intrusion in the private affairs of citizens. TerriPAC's website writes:
Prominently displayed is a headshot of Tom DeLay, whose unmatched ferocity morphed the case of the brain-damaged woman into a national right-to-life debate. -- Dec. 8, 2005 • They take a licking and keep on ticking. On Wednesday, DeLay's legal team asked that the two remaining charges of money laundering and conspiracy to commit money laundering be split and heard separately, so as to get a trial underway as quickly as possible. DeLay's attorney DeGuerin reasons that an acquittal on charges of money laundering would likely make a trial for the remaining conspiracy charge moot. Meanwhile, DA Ronnie Earle still has until Dec. 20 to appeal Monday's decision to dismiss one count of conspiracy. The trial timeline may be further complicated if Judge Priest decides to hear defense allegations of prosecutorial misconduct, a more roundabout attempt by DeLay to have all charges dropped. -- Dec. 8, 2005 • Joshua Marshall of the Talking Points Memo rehashes Abramoff's role in the exploitation of laborers in the Marianas Islands. As always, his pal DeLay was there to back him up. -- Dec. 8, 2005 • David Broder of the Washington Post writes that "the House is beyond embarrassment." -- Dec. 8, 2005 • Today's Roll Call [paid subscription required] reports that the House will probably not reconvene following its winter recess until January 31, making a possible leadership election unlikely until February. The lengthy adjournment is undoubtedly welcomed by DeLay, who is hoping to avoid any such election by wrapping up his legal woes as soon as the Texas court system will allow. -- Dec. 7, 2005 • Yesterday Rep. Jeff Flake of Arizona echoed New Hampshire Rep. Charlie Bass' calls for new House leadership elections in January, according to the Houston Chronicle. As of yet, the two are the only House Republicans to make such a demand publicly. -- Dec. 7, 2005 • Fox News reports that the defense is not yet ready to concede a trial by jury. DeLay's attorney DeGuerin has indicated he is likely to file additional motions to dismiss the case, despite yesterday's ruling by Judge Priest that the charges of money laundering will not be thrown out. However, in the event that DeLay does find himself in a courtroom, his legal team is pushing for his trial to begin by the second week of January. Richard Semiatin of American University is among many who believe that, if DeLay is found guilty or if, in some alternate universe, he voluntarily resigns, the GOP will face a power struggle for the office of majority leader. -- Dec. 7, 2005 • Who's the boss? Mr. DeLay certainly has strong thoughts on the issue, saying yesterday:
However, the Dallas Morning News suggests that the levee is about to give.
-- Dec. 7, 2005 • San Francisco Chronicle: Republicans have lost moral high ground -- Dec. 7, 2005 • A USA Today/CNN Gallup poll taken over the past week suggests that voters in DeLay's district do not like what they are seeing. According to the data, only 36 percent of registered voters in Sugar Land, Texas said they will support DeLay in next year's election. Conversely, 49 percent indicated that they will vote for the Democratic candidate, even though 61 percent of the total polled either have no opinion or have never heard of Nick Lampson, DeLay's likely challenger. -- Dec. 6, 2005 • Despite yesterday's legal developments, Vice President Cheney appeared in Houston last night at a previously-scheduled fundraiser on behalf of DeLay, displaying continued White House loyalty to the former majority leader. The event was attended by at least 300 guests, who had to donate a minimum of $500 just to get in the door, helping to make this DeLay's most successful fundraiser ever. Also in attendance were an estimated 250 protesters, at least one of whom managed to sneak inside, briefly interrupting Cheney's speech before being escorted back out. -- Dec. 6, 2005 • This just in: Judge Priest has rejected the defense's motion to drop all charges against the former majority leader, meaning DeLay is likely headed for trial. Though Priest did dismiss one charge of conspiracy, today's ruling makes it highly unlikely that DeLay will reclaim his leadership post before Republicans can hold new elections in January. Meanwhile, the DeLay camp is still publicly denying the severity of his plight. Said DeLay's office in a statement following the ruling yesterday:
Though both the New York Times and the Associated Press characterize the remaining charges as "more serious," DeLay's attorney Dick DeGuerin maintained his usual pugnacious form, commenting:
-- Dec. 5, 2005 • Mr. DeLay certainly is democratic. After mingling with his pals from the energy industry at a lobbyist-hosted fundraiser last month, DeLay will have breakfast with his buddies in the defense industry this Thursday at the Capitol Hill Club. For $5,000, attendees can have the honor of being an event "host," while those who don't like that kind of pressure first thing in the morning have the option of "sponsoring" the event for half that amount. All others wanting to hang with the big guns must start donations at $1,000. Pork sausage, anyone? -- Dec. 5, 2005 • DeLay was in Houston Saturday night to attend a dinner in honor of 200 soldiers who have served in Iraq. He took the opportunity to blast the recent Democratic proposal to begin withdrawing troops, declaring such an action tantamount to issuing "a death warrant for Americans in future terrorist attacks." Said DeLay:
Indeed. Just ask a Vietnam veteran. -- Dec. 5, 2005 • Jeffrey Birnbaum of the Washington Post denounces the impotence of the House ethics committee amid an increasingly evident culture of corruption in Washington. -- Dec. 5, 2005 • My, what tangled webs we weave. The New York Times reports that the investigation of DeLay's pal Abramoff now includes whether he helped staffers on Capitol Hill move into jobs in the lucrative private sector in exchange for legislative favors. The manner in which Tony Rudy, a former DeLay deputy chief of staff, obtained a cushy lobbying job on K Street is of particular interest to prosecutors. -- Dec. 2, 2005 • The Washington Post has unearthed a 2003 memo from several Justice Department lawyers declaring the controversial 2003 redistricting of Texas, engineered by Tom DeLay, a violation of the Voting Rights Act. Writes the Post:
In an unusual move, a three-judge panel overruled the Democratic complaint, allowing the newly-drawn map to stand. The case is being appealed to the Supreme Court. -- Dec. 2, 2005 • Judge Priest is expected to rule on the motion to dismiss by Tuesday, a decision the Associated Press reports will greatly influence the immediate future of the GOP. -- Dec. 2, 2005 • It looks like voters in Sugar Land, Texas are in for quite a show next year. The 2006 election is more than eleven months away, but DeLay and his likely challenger Nick Lampson are already going at it. Yesterday, DeLay's campaign manager wrote to the Lampson team calling on the Democrat to take a position on immediately pulling troops out of Iraq. Meanwhile, Lampson demanded that DeLay return $30,000 in contributions from disgraced Congressman Cunningham. For the record, Lampson does not agree with the Pelosi-Murtha proposal for an immediate withdrawal, and the donations made by Cunningham were to ARMPAC, not DeLay's campaign fund as Lampson suggested. -- Dec. 2, 2005 • Washington Post: Business as Usual: Corrupt • The Nation: The Abramoff Effect -- Dec. 2, 2005 • We're pleased to see that some reporters are beginning to ask why the House ethics committee did not safeguard against the flagrant abuse of power committed by former member of Congress, Randy "Duke" Cunningham (R-Calif.).
The committee has not convened a single meeting since Rep. Doc Hastings took power last December, which means an entire session of Congress has passed without any oversight of ethical behavior. -- Dec. 1, 2005 • Washington Post: Crooked Capital -- Dec. 1, 2005 In response to comments made by DeLay's campaign manager that, if elected, liberal Lampson would show favoritism to "trial lawyers and labor union bosses," Lampson's campaign manager said simply:
-- Nov. 30, 2005 • Where there's smoke, there's usually fire. Unfortunately, prosecuting attorneys in Texas are not having much luck proving that. DeLay co-defendant John Colyandro, who served as executive director of TRMPAC during the 2002 incident in question, has been dropped from a civil campaign finance case on a technicality. The suit was brought by Kirk Watson, a former candidate for attorney general, who claims that Colyandro illegally used corporate donations to influence the outcome of the election. Watson's attorney has indicated he will attempt to have Colyandro renamed as a defendant in the case. -- Nov. 30, 2005 • AlterNet: The GOP's Culture of Corruption • The Hill: DeLay on the clock -- Nov. 30, 2005 • He keeps going and going... DeLay was at a Houston hotel last night to rally supporters and--surprise, surprise--throw some more jabs. Said DeLay to the friendly crowd:
Nick Lampson, who is likely to run against DeLay in next year's election, commented on the spectacle:
-- Nov. 29, 2005 • And before returning to DeLay's rap sheet, we wanted to call your attention to news of Randy "Duke" Cunningham (R-Calif.). The LA Times reports that the California Congressman plead guilty to accepting $2.4 million in bribes from military contractors and evading more than $1 million in taxes. Cunningham now faces up to 10 years in prison. Not surprisngly, he later resigned from his office. Maybe he was hoping to squeeze in a vacation in before the sent him off to Leavenworth. -- Nov. 28, 2005 • Roll Call [paid subscription required] reports that DeLay has already drafted a letter to the chairwoman of the House Republican Conference stating that he is ready to resume his role as majority leader--a letter that can't be delivered unless he is cleared of the criminal charges against him. Maybe for the time being he should focus on staying out of jail rather than on returning to the leadership suite. Just a thought. -- Nov. 28, 2005 • Time Magazine: The Plot Thickens • Washington Post: 'Corruption Scheme' -- Nov. 28, 2005 • In case you missed it... Last Tuesday, Judge Priest heard the defense's arguments to dismiss the charges against DeLay. After listening for three hours to try to sort out the messy details, Priest spoke for many of us, saying:
As DeLay's is not the only case before him, Priest said he needed more time and would rule on the motion this week. -- Nov. 28, 2005 • The Associated Press reports that Vice President Cheney will be helping DeLay to fill his campaign coffers at yet another fundraiser dinner next month. Reports the AP:
For a cool $2,100, attendees can receive their very own mugshot--er, photo--with DeLay. Double that amount and you can say "cheese!" alongside Mr. Cheney himself.
Exceptional, indeed. Exceptionally corrupt. At this Thanksgiving, we suggest Mr. DeLay give thanks that the Vice President is taking time out from governing to collect checks for DeLay Inc. -- Nov. 22, 2005 • Today's Houston Chronicle outlines arguments relevant to this week's hearing on the defense motion to dismiss the charges. In total, twenty different motions to dismiss have been filed on behalf of the three co-defendants. Thou doth protest too much. -- Nov. 21, 2005 • The New York Times reports that former DeLay staffer Michael Scanlon pleaded guilty today for his role in the conspiracy to defraud Abramoff's Indian tribe clients of millions of dollars in lobbying fees. Apparently, Rep. Bob Ney (R-OH) is also implicated in the official charges. Naturally, House Republicans are more than a bit uncomfortable with the idea of someone with intimate knowledge of DeLay's power politics agreeing to talk with law enforcement officials. And they probably should be. -- Nov. 21, 2005 • For those of you keeping score at home, the prosecution has gone on the record stating that the charges against DeLay should not be dismissed. -- Nov. 21, 2005 • Attendees at last night's GOP lobbyist-hosted fundraiser were greeted at the door by Public Citizen. Several DeLay impersonators handed pork and paper money to lobbyists entering the building, who responded with less enthusiasm than they have when the real DeLay has done the same. Some demonstrators chanted "Fat Cats for DeLay: Coming through, make way" while others handed out bars of soap that read "Help Tom DeLay clean up his act." The Associated Press and Bloomberg were among those who covered the event. (AP photo) Ultimately, this most recent display of favoritism and influence-peddling demonstrates that DeLay's intimate relationship with corporate money has become so brazen that neither care who is tracking their assignations. -- Nov. 18, 2005 • The Texas Observer discusses "DeLay's Corporate Defenders" and quotes our own Conor Kenny:
Meanwhile, as DeLay continues to court corporate contributors, his lawyers are working to get him off the hook for doing so in 2002 in ways that allegedly violated Texas election law. The Houston Chronicle reports the defense has subpoenaed grand jurors to testify at a pre-trial hearing concerning the alleged misconduct of DA Earle. Though recently responding with silence to DeLay's antics, the prosecution, via assistant DA Carl Bryan Case Jr., commented yesterday on these maneuvers:
-- Nov. 18, 2005 • In response to public pressure and looming legal troubles, the Republican Party of Texas has agreed to stop using corporate money for election purposes. In doing so, its members stave off possible prosecution for related violations of election law. Yes, they have agreed to follow the law. Newsworthy, indeed. -- Nov. 18, 2005 • PoliticalMoneyLine offers a list of the lobbyists hosting tomorrow night's fundraising bash. -- Nov. 16, 2005 • Mark Davis of the Dallas Morning News has nominated Rep. Tom DeLay as Texan of the Year. Writes Davis:
Is it any wonder DeLay has remained in power for so long when twisted thinking like this is deemed print-worthy? Clearly Davis ignores the fact that, as long as DeLay is around, the only business is figuring out what is best for him and his cronies, and determining how to implement said ideas with minimal public detection. -- Nov. 16, 2005 • Apparently, things aren't moving fast enough for the defense. DeLay's lawyer DeGuerin has requested that the district attorney be forced to file his briefs in response to the pending motion for dismissal by noon on Friday. Said DeGuerin, in one of the more mature comments he has recently made:
Geez. Earle better get on the ball or else DeGuerin and other sleazy lawyers won't want to pick on him anymore. He's just no fun. -- Nov. 16, 2005 • DeLay's lawyers have formally requested that his trial begin by early December. Not coincidentally, the buzz around Washington is that new leadership elections are likely to be held in the House in January. If DeLay gets his desired trial date, hopefully he will be in prison before they begin. -- Nov. 15, 2005. • This Thursday's lobbyist-organized fundraiser for DeLay has certainly struck a nerve among his critics. Said Nick Lampson, DeLay's likely Democratic challenger in 2006:
Bill Burton of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee also commented:
-- Nov. 15, 2005 • The Houston Chronicle reports that Bill Ceverha, former campaign treasurer of TRMPAC, declared bankruptcy last month to avoid paying the more than $196,660 in damages awarded to Democrats knocked out of office by the infamous 2003 Republican redistricting of Texas. During a civil trial in May, a judge found Ceverha guilty of failing to disclose $600,000 in corporate funds spent illegally by DeLay's PAC, now at the center of the former majority leader's own criminal indictment. -- Nov. 14, 2005 • More than sixty of DeLay's closest lobbyist friends will host a fundraiser this Thursday to benefit the Sugar Land congressman's upcoming reelection efforts. With total receipts from host donations alone expected to exceed $126,000, this event, organized by former DeLay staffers now working in the private sector, promises to be the largest such fundraiser this year. Wayne Berman of the Federalist Group commented:
There's a shocker. -- Nov. 14, 2005 • Today's Washington Post outlines the sequence of events surrounding the money-swapping incident in question, as painted by insider sources. Prior to his felony indictment, DeLay seriously considered pleading guilty to a misdemeanor, a move that would have allowed him to maintain his official House leadership post. However, he decided to take his chances with a grand jury when the district attorney insisted that any such deal include jail time. Writes the Post:
For the moment, DeLay's legal strategy has paid off, as he has maintained virtual control of the House despite his felony indictment. -- Nov. 11, 2005 • They just won't quit. Yesterday DeLay's attorneys requested internal documents from the district attorney's office, which they hope will prove that prosecutor Earle went after DeLay in spite of reluctance from a second grand jury. The first and third of three juries to hear Earle's arguments returned indictments. The defense is hoping lucky #2 might clear their client of the charges against him. To his credit, Earle has routinely responded to the defense's shenanigans without public comment, allowing the DeLay team most of the credit for morphing what might have been a dignified trial into a virtual media circus. -- Nov. 11, 2005 • The Associated Press via the New York Times reports that our favorite indicted politician is featured in a new ad on the website of Wake Up Wal-mart, a non-profit watchdog group. The 30-second piece lumps the corporate greed of Wal-mart with ethical abuses in Washington in search of the "most corrupt in America." Tom DeLay heads the list of nominees, followed by Libby, Frist, and Wal-mart CEO Lee Scott, who is awarded the notorious distinction. The link between DeLay and Wal-mart, however, is not as fleeting as the segment suggests. The corporate powerhouse donated $5,000 to the former majority leader just two days after his indictment. -- Nov. 10, 2005 • Judge Perkins, who was removed from DeLay's trial last week, has now voluntarily excused himself from the cases of DeLay's co-defendants, Colyandro and Ellis. Though DeLay's lawyers have a motion pending to try the former majority leader separately, the three men are currently set to be tried together. Thus, Perkins' formal recusal eliminates a potential procedural roadblock. The defendants are to appear in court on Nov. 22 to, in the words of Ellis' attorney, "sort out where things are." -- Nov. 10, 2005 • Ever confident, DeLay is determined to beat the criminal charges against him quickly enough to reclaim his leadership spot if new elections are held in January, the Houston Chronicle reports.
In the interim, the allegiance of other members is sustaining DeLay's influence in the House. Says Bill Miller, a lobbyist in Austin:
-- Nov. 9, 2005 • The Houston Chronicle reports that the defense's motion to move the trial out of Travis County to DeLay's home county of Fort Bend will be heard on Nov. 22. Claims DeLay:
The defense's brief claims that DeLay's role in splitting Travis County into three congressional districts in 2002 has made him "unpopular" among local residents. Similarly, the motion characterizes Austin as "one of the last enclaves of the Democratic Party in Texas." However, according to recent election results, the Democratic margin there is about one-fifth of one percent. Moreover, Josh Marshall of the Talking Points Memo writes that Travis County Republicans outnumber Democrats on the local school board, in the Texas State House, and in Congress. Poor Tom. He really has it rough. -- Nov. 8, 2005 • In today's New York Times, Craig McDonald of Texans for Republican Justice commented on the arena in which DeLay will make his case:
Furthermore, former political consultant and Democrat George Shipley, of Austin, said of Judge Priest's selection:
Enough said. -- Nov. 8, 2005 • Now that a judge has been named, the next order of business is to address the defense's motion for a change of venue. Veteran criminal defense attorney Betty Blackwell commented on the motion for the prosecution, in a sworn affidavit:
Let's see how the defense can spin that. -- Nov. 7, 2005 • Though the defense claims this case is all about personal politics, the makeup of DeLay's legal team seems to contradict that contention. Several lawyers for the Republican defendants are former associates of DA Earle and three are Democrats. This suggests that DeLay's case is just like any other: someone has been charged with breaking the law, and both the defense and the prosecution are working to prove their case. --Nov. 7, 2005 • Clay Robison of the Houston Chronicle re-characterizes the problem of "partisanship" swirling around DeLay's looming trial as one of "perception":
-- Nov. 7, 2005 • Austin American-Statesman: Why some did not share fate of DeLay • Philadelphia Inquirer, on Abramoff: GOP's best friend could be its nightmare -- Nov. 7, 2005 • The paper trail continues... Wednesday's Senate Indian Affairs Committee hearing revealed several e-mails from 2002 in which DeLay explicitly asked Abramoff for money raised through his foundation. Records show that at least $150,000 made its way to DeLay, with requests made for $50,000 more. The money came from Abramoff's Indian tribe clients. -- Nov. 4, 2005 • At Wednesday's Republican agenda meeting, Rep. Charlie Bass (R-NH) openly requested formal leadership elections in January to fill the spot officially vacated by DeLay more than a month ago. Here's hoping that others follow his lead. It's about time. --Nov. 3, 2005 • PoliticalMoneyLine reports that DeLay's appearance on Fox News Sunday shortly after his first indictment cost the Fox Network $13,998.55 in roundtrip travel fees from Houston to Washington, DC. DeLay used his Fox-funded television time to attack the prosecution and denounce the charges against him. Talk about fair and balanced. -- Nov. 4, 2005 • Despite shamelessly playing the partisanship card whenever he deems fit, DeLay is now urging moderate Democrats to rally behind Republican-proposed budget cuts to social programs such as food stamps, Medicaid, and child support. Speaking before the conservative Heritage Foundation, DeLay recently asked,
Perhaps they are still basking in glow of the "ongoing victory" of fiscal responsibility declared by DeLay after Hurricane Katrina. Said DeLay at the time,
My, how times have changed. -- Nov. 4, 2005 • It looks like we have a winner. For the moment, at least. Chief Justice Jefferson has selected retired Democratic Judge Bob Priest of San Antonio to preside over DeLay's trial. Despite questions about his own impartiality in light of his troubling ties to DeLay's codefendants and to TRMPAC, Jefferson quickly made his pick before Prosecutor Earle had a chance to file a motion to dismiss him. Good thing, because Jefferson was the last jurist eligible to make the decision, according to Texas law. As of yet, neither party has directly opposed the new judge. Said Defense Attorney DeGuerin, "By reputation, he's a fair judge." -- Nov. 4, 2005. • The carousel of conflicting interests continues to whirl at the DeLay circus. The Austin American-Statesman reports that the Chief Justice of the Texas Supreme Court, Wallace B. Jefferson, has shared a campaign consultant and treasurer with TRMPAC, DeLay's now notorious political action committee. TRMPAC's actions are at the center of the charges on which the former majority leader is being tried; Jefferson is currently responsible for selecting a judge to preside over that trial. -- Nov. 3, 2005 • The investigation of the malfeasant relationship between Abramoff and DeLay has unearthed some interesting new evidence. According to e-mails sent by DeLay aides in 2000, his staff attempted to assist Abramoff in getting an appointment with Interior Secretary Gale Norton to discuss the interests of his Indian clients. The tribes got their meeting at a private fundraising dinner after sending donations totaling at least $250,000 to a group founded by Norton and to DeLay's charity. Attorney Richard Cullen commented:
Tony Rudy, a former DeLay staffer who authored one of the emails in question, has since taken a job with Abramoff. -- Nov. 3, 2005 • This just in: DA Ronnie Earle has successfully requested that Administrative Judge B.B Schraub recuse himself from the trial. Following Judge Perkins' removal on Tuesday in light of his history as a donor to Democratic causes, Schraub was in position to choose Perkins' successor. As it turns out, Schraub has a long record of his own as a Republican contributor, and has been particularly loyal to the state's Republican Governor, Rick Perry, on whom he depends for reappointment come January. Perry played an important role in pulling off the DeLay-engineered redistricting of Texas in 2003. Describing Schraub as a man of integrity and fairness, Earle contends that "as the recusal of Judge Perkins reflected, such is unfortunately no longer the standard in our state for the judiciary." Said Earle:
The Chief Justice of the Texas Supreme Court, a Republican, is set to select Judge #3. -- Nov. 3, 2005 • Apparently, the Hammer is likely to make some noise during upcoming budget debates. The Houston Chronicle reports:
Rutgers University's Ross Baker, an expert on Congress, explained:
-- Nov. 3, 2005 • A Senate panel will hold a hearing today in the ongoing investigation of Jack Abramoff, infamous lobbyist and close friend of Tom DeLay, and his questionable dealings with Indian tribe clients who have paid him over $80 million in lobbying fees. The House ethics committee says it also intends to conduct a separate inquiry into the all-too-cozy relationship between DeLay and Abramoff. -- Nov. 2, 2005 • Though DeLay's legal defense fund just closed out a record fundraising quarter, the money is going out almost as fast as it comes in. For example, DeLay's defense attorney Dick DeGuerin has received $25,000 from the fund over the past three months, while the Houston law firm of Bracewell & Giuliani, which has a lobby shop in Washington, has been paid $100,000 during that time. Public Citizen President Joan Claybrook has commented on the latter figure:
Responded Bracewll & Giuliani:
Phew. That's a relief. The Kicker: Bracewell & Giuliani has represented DeLay in his repeated appearances before the House ethics committee, and is therefore likely quite familiar with DeLay's own standards of "ethics" and "professionalism." -- Nov. 2, 2005 • The Washington Post describes division within the Republican Party over the continued influence of DeLay in setting the House agenda and rounding up votes. Rep. Christopher Shays (R-CT) has gone on the record in favor of DeLay's ouster:
The Republican described his rationale, saying:
Sometimes it takes a few indictments to get the shake-up started. -- Nov. 2, 2005 • Eli Pariser of MoveOn.org commented on the removal of Judge Perkins from DeLay's trial in a written statement:
That's not bias. That's just politics as usual in DeLay's House. -- Nov. 2, 2005 • Late Breaking: Judge Perkins has been removed from DeLay's money-laundering case. The Houston Chronicle reports that the deciding judge made no comment when he granted DeLay's motion to remove Perkins from the case. -- Nov. 1, 2005 • Roll Call's gossip column, "Heard on the Hill," reports on a recent column penned by a Republican former member of Congress:
Adds Roll Call,
-- Nov. 1, 2005 • On Monday, DeLay's lawyers subpoenaed Texas state District Judge Bob Perkins to testify at a hearing scheduled for today. It's not clear whether Perkins will be forced to testify. The hearing has been called to determine whether Perkins should be removed from DeLay's money-laundering case, reports the Austin-American Statesman. -- Nov. 1, 2005 • DeLay, in an interview with conservative radio host Sean Hannity, denounced Judge Perkins, who the defense has requested recuse himself from the trial given his record as a contributor to Democratic causes. Commented DeLay:
Attorney Chris Feldman characterizes these and other pejoratives uttered by the defense against those involved in the criminal proceedings:
-- October 31, 2005 • DeLay's Texas colleagues are clearly hedging their bets on the outcome of his looming trial. The Star-Telegram reports that at least five Texas congressmen made donations to DeLay's legal defense fund between July 1 and Sept. 30. -- Oct. 28, 2005 • Prosecutor Ronnie Earle has subpoenaed all e-mail correspondence by DeLay associates Colyandro, Ellis, and RoBold during 2002, the year of the alleged money laundering incident. TRMPAC billing records and subscriber information have also been requested. DeLay has not yet been asked to turn over his e-mails. -- Oct. 28, 2005 • Remind us again who is making this case about partisanship? In a letter to be e-mailed to contributors and published in the Fort Bend County Republican Party newsletter, DeLay has urged his supporters to besiege Democrats, who he accuses of participating in "the politics of personal destruction." Wrote DeLay:
Or perhaps equally reprehensible as far as DeLay is concerned, the criminalization of crimes by politicians. -- Oct. 28, 2005 • DeLay's attorneys entered exhibits yesterday in support of their motion to excuse Judge Perkins from the case. Among them are records of Perkins' prior political donations to Democratic causes, as well as details of fundraising efforts by MoveOn.org and the Democratic Party targeting DeLay. Indeed, if not cruel, it would be more than unusual for the fallen majority leader to have to answer to a Democrat. He certainly hasn't had much practice. -- Oct. 27, 2005 • Oops, he did it again. DeLay has admitted to violating congressional rules by failing to disclose all contributions to his legal defense fund, now invaluable to the former majority leader in light of his current legal troubles. According to the New York Times, Houston lawyer Brent Perry, the fund's trustee, reported the error in a letter to the House ethics committee dated Oct. 6. Said Perry in an interview:
Meanwhile, DeLay's defense fund will soon disclose that during the last quarter, its most successful ever in terms of fundraising, it took in approximately $318,000. Assuming, of course, that there hasn't been another "bookkeeping lapse." -- Oct. 27, 2005 • New Republic: DeLay's Ties to Roy Blunt -- Oct. 27, 2005 • Wading through the flood of media coverage surrounding the DeLay legal circus, we somehow overlooked this remarkable tidbit from last week's Washington Post: Apparently, multiple admonishments from the House ethics committee and two criminal indictments for sketchy campaign fundraising practices have not provided the former House Majority Leader with enough incentive to curb his philandering with corporate donors. According to members of his staff, DeLay flew into Houston for arraignment on Thursday aboard a jet owned by longtime corporate donor R.J. Reynolds, who has meanwhile contributed $17,000 to DeLay's legal defense fund. However, members of the DeLay camp assure inquiring minds that the jet was "used in compliance with regulations." Talk about shameless. -- Oct. 26, 2005 • DeLay's motion for a new judge will be heard on Nov. 1 by Bell County Senior Judge C.W. Duncan, a Democrat with a solid reputation as a nonpolitical arbiter. -- Oct. 26, 2005 • Tuesday funnies: Roll Call [paid subscription required] reports that Tom DeLay recently bid on a wicker basket and--get this--a paper shredder at a local festival in Fort Bend County, Texas. No news yet on the exact amount of DeLay's bid.
-- Oct. 26, 2005 • Roll Call [paid subscription required] reports that the legal team of acting Majority Leader Roy Blunt has partially defused a televised ad campaign highlighting Blunt's ties to the questionable fundraising practices of Tom DeLay. The spot, funded by Public Campaign Action Fund and American Family Voices, has been characterized by Blunt's lawyers as "false and potentially defamatory." As a result of their objections, four of the seven Missouri TV stations that have run the ad have since pulled it. Said AFV president Michael Lux:
The Blunt ad was to be part of a larger campaign targeting four to five legislators similarly linked to DeLay. -- Oct. 24, 2005 • The defense has rooted its motion to replace Judge Perkins largely in their claim that MoveOn.org, a group to which Perkins made contributions prior to the 2004 elections, is selling t-shirts adorned with DeLay's mugshot. However, the organization denied that charge in an issued statement, saying:
Imagine that. -- Oct. 21, 2005
Said defense attorney DeGuerin of the latest petitions:
Prosecutor Earle commented:
Nonetheless, the former House Majority leader seems willing to answer only to his friends. -- Oct. 21, 2005 • Following yesterday's issuance of a warrant for his arrest, DeLay turned himself in this afternoon at a sheriff's facility in Harris County, Texas. After being photographed and fingerprinted, he appeared before a judge, who released him on $10,000 bail. According to the Houston Chronicle, the prominent Republican, charged with conspiracy and money laundering, was treated in keeping with standard procedure, and the booking process took less than an hour. DeLay is to appear in court tomorrow. -- Oct. 20, 2005 • Four of eight corporations implicated in connection with DeLay's alleged violation of Texas campaign finance laws have settled their cases. In exchange for having the charges against them dropped, the corporations have agreed to refrain from making any other improper campaign donations, to aid the prosecution in its investigation of DeLay, and to make financial contributions to a University of Texas program involving money and politics. The other four cases are still pending. -- Oct. 20, 2005 • The Texas Observer recounts the circumstances surrounding the alleged money laundering incident and describes the role of "unindicted co-conspirator" Terry Nelson, a minion of Karl Rove, in overseeing their development. -- Oct. 20, 2005 • Norman Ornstein of the American Enterprise Institute dissects the Abramoff Scandals, and DeLay's entanglement in them, in today's edition of Roll Call [paid subscription required]. He writes:
Ornstein continues:
-- Oct. 19, 2005 • In accordance with routine procedure, a warrant has been issued for DeLay's arrest. Bail is set at $10,000. The former House Majority leader is to appear in court on Friday. -- Oct. 19, 2005 • The Houston Chronicle reports that, having subpoenaed DA Earle last week to answer questions about his conduct with grand jurors in the DeLay case, defense attorney DeGuerin has acknowledged that he cannot substantiate those charges. Writes the Chronicle:
Meanwhile, Professor Susan Brenner of University of Dayton School of Law believes that, even if guilty of the allegations against him, Earle would likely only be subject to sanction or held in contempt of court. Says Brenner:
Whether or not Earle has acted in ways entirely appropriate, he has not, so far as the evidence shows, violated the integrity of the case. Thus, despite the defense's attempts to thwart the judicial process, it seems likely that DeLay is headed for trial. -- Oct. 19, 2005 • The brouhaha surrounding the DeLay case is leading some to wonder if the defense has motivations for engaging in its recent publicity blitz other than saving face and minimizing damage. The Austin American-Statesman writes that DeLay's attorneys might be contributing to the saturation of the local media market with coverage of the story in hopes of securing a change of venue to move the trial out of town. Writes the Statesman:
Coincidence? -- Oct. 19, 2005 • DeLay's lawyers aren't the only ones taking aim at Earle. The Star-Telegram reports that J.D. Pauerstein, attorney for codefendant Jim Ellis, has described Earle as "a prosecutor run amok." Pauerstein has also filed a new motion to dismiss the case, which charges Earle with "outrageous government conduct." Moreover, conveniently ignoring the ad campaign released last week by conservative allies painting Earle as an attack dog, the brief disparages Earle for "using the media to lay out his case." Someone might suggest to the defense that those accused of laundering money in glass houses would be wise not to throw stones. -- Oct. 19, 2005 • Yahoo News: Grounded by hubris, greed • CBS News: Wish We Could Trust Them • Seattle Times: The shoe is on the other foot -- Oct. 19, 2005 • Looming legal troubles and suspicions about his dealings with ethically-troubled lobbyist Jack Abramoff and others apparently have not hindered DeLay's abilities as a fundraiser. The New York Times reports that from the third quarter of this year, DeLay raised $920,000, bringing his total for the current calendar year to $2.3 million. No wonder he has so many friends. -- Oct. 18, 2005 • DeLay is to make a short court appearance on Friday, October 21, to hear his rights and the charges against him, and to be fingerprinted, photographed, and booked. In response to DeLay's attorneys' requests to skip the humbling process, the court coordinator for presiding State District Judge Bob Perkins has stated:
That's a standard even DeLay should be able to live with. -- Oct. 18, 2005 • What goes around comes around. The Boston Globe writes that the strategic redistricting of Texas, engineered in large part by Tom DeLay in 2003, achieved its goal of getting more Texas Republicans elected to Congress. However, breaking up Republican strongholds to create more districts with a conservative majority meanwhile mandated the formation of districts that are less decidedly Republican. Thus, DeLay's tactics have left him with a less than secure hold over his own district, one third of which is new to him since the last election. Without question, if DeLay is defeated in 2006 he will have no one to blame but himself. -- Oct. 18, 2005 • DeLay's attorney, Dick DeGuerin, claims that DA Ronnie Earle "tried to coerce" his client into pleading guilty to a misdemeanor in order to avoid indictment on a felony charge, which would mandate DeLay's temporary ouster as House Majority Leader. Meanwhile, the DeLay team is requesting his case be severed from that of his two codefendants in order to speed up his trial and, he hopes, allow him to resume his leadership post as soon as possible. -- Oct. 18, 2005 • Washington Post: Tom DeLay a Boon to Both Democrats and GOP • USA Today: DeLay politics may carry heavy price -- Oct. 18, 2005 • DA Ronnie Earle, interested in long distance calls made from DeLay's home and campaign office lines, has subpoenaed the Texas Republican's telephone records for the sixteen months during which his political action committee, TRMPAC, was raising funds for the 2002 election. Additionally, the records for two phone numbers used by Danielle DeLay Ferro, DeLay's daughter and a key political aid, are being examined as evidence. Earle has made no comment on this development in the case against the former House Majority Leader. -- Oct. 14, 2005 • Add this to the list of the sketchy campaign finance practices of Tom DeLay: Records indicate that DeLay's ARMPAC spent $100,000 on a mailing drive in five congressional districts during the week prior to the 2002 elections. The money was drawn from the PAC's "soft money" account, which by law cannot be spent directly to endorse candidates. Though the wording of the mailings was not explicit enough to be clearly deemed a violation of campaign finance law, the timing of the mailings and the manner in which specific voter demographics in specific congressional races were targeted yet again highlight DeLay's lack of respect for the intent of the law. -- Oct. 14, 2005 • Newsweek: On K Street Conservatism -- October 14, 2005 • Mike Conaway (R-TX) is one of many politicians loyally standing by the recently indicted DeLay. Confident that the charges of conspiracy and money laundering will not stick, Conaway has said simply that DeLay "will be just fine." More to the point, Conaway is still buying stock in DeLay's power as a leader in the halls of Congress. This Friday, he will host a reelection fundraiser in DeLay's honor. Conaway has minced no words in attributing his own seat in Congress to the powerful Texan lawmaker, saying:
Not coincidentally, it is DeLay's suspicious behavior leading up to the unheard of mid-census cycle redistricting of Texas that has him under the watchful eye of Ronnie Earle in the first place. -- Oct. 13, 2005 • Following DeLay's lead, many conservatives have decided that, in this matter, the best defense is a good offense. The Houston Chronicle reports that the Free Enterprise Fund of Washington, D.C. has sponsored a television ad portraying DA Ronnie Earle as an attack dog. A voice-over declares, "A prosecutor with a political agenda can be vicious." Ignoring that Earle has prosecuted twelve Democratic politicians, the ad highlights his previous attempts to bring charges against Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchinson (R-TX), admonishing him:
Though the ad has a "saturation buy" in the Austin area, fund spokesman Todd Schorle says it is not an attempt to influence the potential jury pool. Indeed, the fund and other conservatives are likely far more concerned with the potential Texas voter pool come next fall. -- Oct. 13, 2005 • DeLay's suspiciously vehement claims that DA Ronnie Earle is pursuing a partisan vendetta against him have escalated to a new high--or low. According to New York Daily News, DeLay's lawyers have subpoenaed Earle and two assistants to testify as to whether they coerced a grand jury to indict the deposed Republican Majority leader. Clearly, this is just another step in a long-term process designed to discredit the charges against DeLay. Said Earle's office, in a released statement:
-- Oct. 12, 2005 • New York Times: DeLay Is a King Without a Crown in the House -- Oct. 12, 2005 • Yesterday, Campaign for America's Future released a report identifying those members of Congress who have benefited from DeLay's undeniable power as a fundraiser. Twenty-six lawmakers have already received the maximum contributions allowed by DeLay's PAC for this election cycle. Is your representative among them? -- Oct. 12, 2005 • Regardless of the attention drawn by his grand jury indictments to his leadership style of coercion and favoritism, DeLay has not altered his tactics. The Washington Post reports that during a tight vote on an energy bill last week, DeLay and his cronies prolonged a five-minute vote by forty extra minutes in order to convince enough Republicans to support it to ensure its passage. Said House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA):
Rep. Michael N. Castle (R-DE), one of 13 Republicans who voted against the bill said simply:
-- Oct. 11, 2005 • DeLay may be down for the moment, but his method of loyalist hardball politics in Congress is definitely not out. The Washington Post writes that the DeLay legacy of party spoils and ferocious fundraising will not end with his ouster, even if it becomes permanent, not only because he has fundamentally altered the way the political game is played on Capitol Hill, but also because his replacements have all been groomed by Mr. DeLay himself. -- Oct. 11, 2005 • Normally rather secretive and wary of media attention, Tom DeLay has recently taken advantage of the benefits of media exposure, repeatedly and publicly speaking in his defense and attacking district attorney Earle's prosecution of the charges against him. Newsday describes DeLay's recent media blitz as an attempt to sure up his support base in his Texas congressoinal district while maintaining his presence as a congressional figure to be reckoned with. -- Oct. 11, 2005 • Austin American-Statesman: Hubris on the Hill: Will it cause their downfall? -- Oct. 11, 2005 • It looks like Tom DeLay isn't using all of his money to stock the Texas legislature with Republicans. He also has made the top ten list of congressional spenders on luxury travel, according to Bloomberg News, using money from his already controversial leadership PAC to pay for private jets and five-star hotels. Illegal? Maybe not. Ethically questionable? As is to be expected. -- Oct. 10, 2005 Though no major developments in the DeLay case were reported over the weekend, the nation is still buzzing. Below is a sampling of some of the more interesting stories and commentary: • Metro West Daily News: Tom DeLay's real crime • Galveston County Daily News: People already following DeLay-Lampson race • Yakima Herald-Republic: DeLay should face Hastings' Ethics Committee • Houston Chronicle: Voters may be the real losers in political probes • The New Republic: PAC Man • Center for American Progress: Think Again: Meet Roy Blunt. (If you liked Tom DeLay...) -- Oct. 10, 2005 • The evidence is not looking good for Mr. DeLay. The Austin American-Statesman reports that DeLay and one of his co-defendants, Jim Ellis, met in the Capitol building on the same day the Republican National Committee authorized the $190,000 worth of checks in question. Even more suspiciously, the two men cannot seem to agree on the content of the meeting. While Ellis contends that Texas politics were not discussed, DeLay, during a recent interview on Fox News Sunday, claimed that Ellis informed him that "we sent money" to Washington. As usual, something doesn't add up. -- Oct. 7, 2005 They say you can tell a lot about a person by who his friends are. The Austin Chronicle reports that DeLay's co-defendants, John Colyandro and Jim Ellis, are rallying around Proposition 2, which would limit marriage to a union between a man and a woman, to generate support for other political agendas. Glen Maxey, director of No Nonsense in November and a former Texas state representative claims:
This is just another example of politicians and their cronies manipulating the public with appeals to morality, in deceitful attempts to win support for their policies. -- Oct. 7, 2005 • Dallas Morning News: What's At Stake -- Oct. 7, 2005 • Despite the storm of controversy and allegations swirling around the influential congressional leader, the Seattle Times reports that the House Ethics committee is not currently looking into the criminal charges on which DeLay has been indicted. Committee chairman Doc Hasting (R-WA) explained simply, "We don't have the resources." If the House ethics committee cannot afford to investigate the conduct of one of the most influential men in Washington, what real purpose does it serve? And with literally billions of dollars at their disposal, is it really a coincidence that members of Congress have not allotted more resources to policing their own? Perhaps Hastings might consider donating some of the almost $6,000 in contributions he has received from DeLay's political action committee ARMPAC over the past decade to allow his all-important committee to operate a bit more effectively. -- Oct. 6, 2005 • DeLay may have been temporarily removed from his official leadership post, but his replacement is merely a variation on the same theme of corruption among congressional leadership. The Chicago Sun-Times reports that acting Majority Leader Roy Blunt (R-MO) has been the direct recipient of some of DeLay's less than ethical campaign finance practices. Writes the Sun-Times:
Regardless of whether DeLay is convicted of the charges brought against him, it is clear that his practices blatantly violate the spirit, if not the letter, of campaign finance laws, designed to ensure fair and honest political fundraising. -- Oct. 6, 2005 • Aberdeen News: Democrats ask Thune to return DeLay campaign donations • Miami Herald: Time to end disorder in the House • Roll Call: DeLay at Issue on Homefront -- Oct. 6, 2005 • DeLay's attorney, Dick DeGuerin, claims that the most recent indictments against the Texas representative were brought forth because district attorney Ronnie Earle feared the previous charges of conspiracy to violate Texas campaign finance laws might not stand. However, the Houston Chronicle reports that additional information was revealed to Earle over the weekend, mandating the drawing of additional charges. Meanwhile, DeGuerin has accused Earle of offering DeLay's codefendants, Jim Ellis and John Colyandro, a "sweet deal" to testify against the powerful Republican Congressman, evidence, DeGuerin says, that Earle is targeting DeLay for conviction out of partisan zeal. Not so, reports the Chronicle:
Maybe Earle should try offering DeLay a "sweet deal." -- Oct. 5, 2005 • DeLay and his allies have stated that the momentarily dethroned House Majority Leader has been unfairly targeted as a symbol of corruption by liberal public interest groups, Congress watchdog organizations, and lobbies for campaign finance reform. The New York Times reports that DeLay has described a "left wing conspiracy...[that has] drug my name through the mud." Suggesting that the joining of resources by non-profit organizations is an unfair tactic in strategizing, DeLay has painted himself as a victim of a partisan "witch hunt." After years in charge of a Republican Congress, DeLay seems to believe that only wealthy politicians, interested businessmen, and corporations should be allowed to spend money and pool together to disseminate a message or otherwise influence Washington politics. Writes the Times:
Norman Ornstein of the American Enterprise Institute agrees with DeLay on one point, saying:
-- Oct. 5, 2005 The implications of DeLay's indictment, not to mention the corruption with which he has led the House of Representatives, has forced a national conversation on issues of power in Washington. Below is a sampling of some of the highlights (or low-lights, as the case may be): • Cincinnati Post: Groups: Return DeLay donations • SitNews: The Real Sin of Tom DeLay • Houston Chronicle: What Goes Around • Newsweek: Tom DeLay's House of Shame • Herald Tribune: DeLay party leadership in question • CBS News: Dems Target DeLay's 'Dirty Money' Christian Science Monitor: Campaign finance in age of DeLay -- Oct. 5, 2005 • From today's Congress Daily:
-- Oct. 4, 2005 • Same case, different charges: The Houston Chronicle reports that a second Travis County grand jury has reindicted Rep. Tom DeLay on a charge of "conspiring to violate state election laws" and on two additional charges of money laundering and conspiracy to commit money laundering. The aforementioned charges include a first degree felony that can carry punishment of up to life in prison, and fines of up to $10,000, and a second degree felony carrying up to 20 years in prison with fines of up to $10,000. DeLay associates Jim Ellis and John Colyandro were also reindicted. District Attorney Ronnie Earle has not commented in detail on the recent indictments. -- Oct. 4, 2005 • Though the mere fact that 12 of the 15 cases pursued by district attorney Ronnie Earle against politicians have targeted Democrats should be enough to dismiss accusations of a partisan prosecution against DeLay, others have stood up in defense of Earle's motivations. As reported in the Dallas Morning News, Russell Langley, co-founder of Texas Values in Action Coalition, has refuted allegations from the DeLay camp that Earle's recent appearance and remarks at a fundraiser held by that organization were evidence of any political agenda on the part of Earle in pursuing DeLay's recent indictments. Said Langley, in a written statement:
Meanwhile, the Associated Press has reported anxiousness among some Republican lawmakers regarding the implications of DeLay's tarnished image for other members of the GOP. Rep. Christopher Shays (R-CT), for one, has voiced such concerns. The Sun Herald reports:
-- Oct. 4, 2005 • The following is a sampling of recent interesting stories and editorials about the DeLay indictment: - Buffalo News: Democrats demand return of funds to DeLay - Oakland Tribune: Moderates need not apply - Associated Press: DeLay Calls Indictment 'Abomination' - Los Angeles Times: Cracks Appear in GOP - Houston Chronicle: Lessons of Tom DeLay - DailyKos: Did DeLay's Lawyer Just Screw Up? - Kansas City Star: Hulshof gives away DeLay funds --- Oct. 4, 2005 • Reports show that in 2001 Miers' former law firm Locke Liddell & Sapp contributed $2,500 to DeLay's legal defense fund. It is illegal for lobbyists or members of law firms to contribute to legal defense funds. From the December 13, 2004 issue of Newsweek, which cited Public Citizen's own analysis of legal defense fund contributions to DeLay:
As shown in a chart detailing lobbyist contributions to TRMPAC provided by the Texas Observer in October 2004, the lawfirm Locke Liddell & Sapp gave a total of $5,000 to TRMPAC in a series of donations. Writes the Observer:
-- Oct. 3, 2005 • In an attempt to keep up with the avalanche of DeLay-related news appearing since last week's indictment, below is a short list of some of today's most interesting/noteworthy headlines: -- Oct. 3, 2005 • DeLay appeared on Fox News Sunday recently to discuss his criminal indictment. During the interview, DeLay rattled off a litany of denials surrounding his ethics abuses:
When asked about his admonishments by the bipartisan House ethics committee, DeLay characterized the admonishments as mere 'warning tickets,' stating that he appreciated their input on ethics issues. DeLay's defense is pretty much the same as a year ago. When asked whether TRMPAC funneled money to a national committee, which in turn sent the money back into Texas elections, DeLay replied, "I don't know if it happened or not, the way you said it. The way I've read it, probably so, but let me tell you, this is an open and transparent process." When asked a follow-up question regarding the criminal charge of money laundering, DeLay deferred to the courts:
Perhaps it hasn't been proven, but that certainly doesn't mean it didn't happen. -- Oct. 3, 2005 • See the indictment and press release from Texas District Attorney Ronnie Earle's office. -- Sept. 29, 2005 • The Houston Chronicle is stockpiling information on the developing story of DeLay's indictment: - Reports the Chronicle, the trustee of DeLay's legal defense fund expects to report contributions of more than $300,000 this quarter--marking a significant increase in fundraising from the previous quarter. -- Sept. 29, 2005 • By now, everyone has heard: Rep. DeLay has been indicted for a criminal conspiracy along with two associates, John Colyandro, former executive director of TRMPAC, and Jim Ellis, head of DeLay's national PAC.
- Salon.com provides some of the text of the indictment:
-- Sept. 29, 2005 • Breaking news: The Associated Press via Forbes Online reports that arrests have been made for the murder of businessman and former SunCruz Casino owner, Gus Boulis. The gangland-style slaying of Boulis occured amid a bitter disagreement between Abramoff and his partners and Boulis.
-- Sept. 27, 2005 • Another testament to the reliability of DeLay-spin. DeLay on Sept. 13th, reports the Washington Times:
DeLay on Sept. 27th, reports the Houston Chronicle:
-- Sept. 27, 2005 • Paul Krugman of the New York Times playfully approaches the serious topic of government corruption with his game, "Two Degrees of Jack Abramoff."
Also check out blogger Josh Marshall's investigative work on Bush nominee for Deputy Attorney General Timothy Flanigan's ties to Jack Abramoff. -- Sept. 26, 2005 • Newsweek reports on the Safavian-Abramoff connection:
Perhaps more newsworthy is Newsweek's reporting on Rep. Ney's (R-Ohio) claim that while he was in Scotland golfing with Jack Abramoff, he spoke before the Scottish Parliament as part of 'official Congressional business' (which would serve as adequate cover for what would otherwise be a lavish vacation). If Newsweek is correct, Ney could have just been caught in a lie:
-- Sept. 26, 2005 • The Orlando Sentinel reports that indicted lobbyist and former 'close friend' of DeLay's, Jack Abramoff, is claiming that his former business partner Adam Kidan 'hoodwinked' him on a deal to buy a fleet of casino boats. Like Abramoff, Kidan has been indicted on charges related to the sale of the casino cruise line. Both have pleaded 'not guilty,' with trials tentatively set to begin Dec. 12. Members of Congress, hide your ethical scruples: Kidan and Abramoff are both currently free on bail. -- Sept. 26, 2005 • The Federal Times updates the Safavian story from the perspective of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB):
-- Sept. 26, 2005 • Slate.com pokes fun at Tom DeLay's insistence last week that reopening the highway bill would result in more, not less, pork barrel spending.
-- Sept. 26, 2005 • Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) is releasing today a list of the '13 most corrupt' members of Congress. From the LA Times:
-- Sept. 26, 2005 • Colorado's Durango Herald reports that documents provided by a public relations firm representing a local ski area show that lobbyists asked for DeLay's help in attaching "midnight riders" to bills before the House Appropriations Committee. Those riders would have provided immediate access to the development site, circumventing a Forest Service approval as required by federal law. The land developers are reportedly continuing to 'press their Washington connections.' -- September 23, 2005 • More information has surfaced concerning scandal-ridden lobbyist Jack Abramoff's ties to the White House. Reports the Washington Post:
-- Sept. 23, 2005 • The AP Wire, via the Akron Beacon Journal, reports that David Safavian's lawyer is accusing investigators of using the "charges to pressure her client to aid their investigation of lobbyist Jack Abramoff." -- Sept. 22, 2005 • Bloomberg updates the ongoing Abramoff story, taking into account this week's arrest of former White House official, David Safavian. Safavian, reports Bloomberg, worked with Abramoff at the lobbying firm Preston Gates Ellis & Rouvelas Meeds. Safavian is also a former business partner of Grover Norquist.
The Center for American Progress' blog, Think Progress, comments on the unfolding Safavian story. -- Sept. 22, 2005 • The Rochester Democrat & Chronicle editorializes on DeLay's domestic agenda:
-- Sept. 22, 2005 • The San Francisco Chronicle reports that Tom DeLay is refusing to contribute any of the $100+ million dollars earmarked for his district to aid in post-Katrina relief efforts.
-- Sept. 21, 2005 • Roll Call's gossip column, "Heard on the Hill," reports that former DeLay aide Tony Rudy spoke recently at a Republican luncheon on "Life After the Hill." Like many former DeLay staffers, Rudy has become entangled in the investigations surrounding scandal-ridden lobbyist Jack Abramoff. Roll Call reports on (and snickers over) Rudy's luncheon lecture:
-- Sept. 21, 2005 • A former top procurement official for the Bush administration is the latest to join Rep. Ney (R-Ohio) and Majority Leader DeLay (R-Texas) in the tangled web surrounding scandal-ridden lobbyist, Jack Abramoff. The Washington Post reports that former official David Safavian was arrested yesterday. Safavian is charged with lying to investigators and obstructing a federal investigation involving a 2002 Scotland golfing trip with Abramoff. Of course, Safavian wasn't the only participant in Abramoff's lavish golf outing.
-- Sept. 20, 2005 • DeLay's recent assertion that the GOP-led Congress has 'pared down' spending is now being ridiculed by--get this--the business community! An editorial in the Investor's Business Daily guffaws,
-- Sept. 16, 2005 • Update on yesterday's story in the Washington Times: Think Progress blog has served up a stinging index of some of DeLay's "fat-cutting tactics" in Congress, in an entry entitled "DeLay's 'Ongoing Victory' With Reality." -- September 16, 2005 • The Hill reports that DeLay's newest spin doctor, Communications Director Kevin Madden, is charming members of the the press by releasing full transcripts of DeLay's pen-and-pad only briefings.
-- Sept. 15, 2005 • When asked about the decision by Congressional Republicans to support borrowing money to pay for post-Katrina relief, reports the Washington Times, Majority Leader DeLay replied:
DeLay and his colleagues have pared it down so well, in fact, that underfunded agencies such as FEMA could not come to the aid of Katrina victims until several days after the disaster! Meanwhile, DeLay steered through Congress legislation such as the infamous, pork-filled highway bill. In August, the Associated Press reported:
Tell us, Mr. DeLay, how passing the 'most earmarked transportation bill in the history of our nation' is akin to 'paring down' government spending. -- Sept. 14, 2005 • Breaking News: More indictments (surprise, surprise) have been handed down in the Texas case against DeLay associates John Colyandro and Jim Ellis. The Austin-American Statesman has more. -- September 13, 2005 • From today's edition of The Hill newspaper:
-- Sept. 13, 2005 • Raw Story reports on an earlier story from Roll Call indicating that DeLay met with Texas District Attorney, Ronnie Earle.
-- Sept. 13, 2005 • In light of last week's indictments, Fired Up! America blog provides a refresher piece on the web of scandal surrounding DeLay. -- Sept. 12, 2005 • From US News & World Report's political gossip page:
No complaining, kids. Even if our House Majority Leader is accepting campaign contributions in exchange for legislative exemptions. -- Sept. 12, 2005 • The revolving door between DeLay's office and high-paying K Street jobs spins again. Today, Roll Call announced that Tim Berry, DeLay's Chief of Staff, will be leaving his post for a top lobbyist position for the media giant, Time Warner. Reports Roll Call:
-- Sept. 12, 2005 • Several major newspapers carry news of yesterday's indictments: – The Los Angeles Times, "Texas Group That DeLay Advised is Indicted" -- Sept. 9, 2005
-- Sept. 8, 2005 • A new crop of felony charges have arisen over illegal corporate campaign donations involving the Texas GOP. The Austin American-Statesman reports that last month, a Travis County grand jury indicted the Texas Association of Business (TAB), but sealed the felony charges as it continued an investigation into whether TAB illegally spent corporate money during the 2002 legislative campaign. Lawyers for the defense are now scrambling to 'head off criminal charges' against TAB and those working for the association. -- Sept. 8, 2005 • Steve Soto of the blog, The Left Coaster, notes the glaring incongruities between DeLay's reasoning behind his refusal to roll back the gas tax and his enthusiastic support of repealing the estate tax. On rolling back the gas tax, DeLay said:
-- Sept. 7, 2005 • Cindy Sheehan recently visited Tom DeLay's Texas office:
-- Sept. 2, 2005 • Need to rid yourself of that pesky extra $1,000 you've got lying around? Why not buy a gold sponsorship at a fundraising luncheon (yes, we said lunch; no lobster dinner here) for none other than Tom DeLay! Better yet, why not donate that money to an organization helping aid people in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
-- Aug. 31, 2005
• Making the rounds this morning is news that Delay associate and lobbyist Jack Abramoff pleaded not guilty Monday to a charge of six counts of federal fraud and conspiracy in a Florida court. From today's Miami Herald:
-- Aug. 30, 2005 • Another government official has become entangled in the investigation of scandal-ridden lobbyist Jack Abramoff, reports the Washington Post.
-- Aug. 28, 2005 • The Texas Observer explains why Senate Indian Affairs Committee Chairman Sen. McCain (R-Ariz.) may not 'get to the bottom' of the Abramoff scandal afterall.
-- Aug. 25, 2005 • The New Jersey Express Times quotes our own Craig Holman:
-- Aug. 24, 2005 • A headline from today's Houston Chronicle: It's hush-hush, but Cheney's coming to stump for DeLay. Despite being embroiled in controversey in the past year, DeLay managed to secure GOP heavyweight Vice President Cheney in an effort to raise money for DeLay's re-election.
-- Aug. 23, 2005 • Jack Abramoff appeared before a judge in Florida after being indicted on fraud charges. Reports the Gainesville Sun, Abramoff did not enter a formal plea but will plead not guilty to the six-count indictment charging conspiracy and wire fraud, said Abramoff attorney Neal Sonnett. -- Aug. 19, 2005 • The FEC is coming down on an energy company who reportedly curried favors through DeLay and helped channel contributions to his PACs. Reports the Washington Post:
-- Aug. 19, 2005 • The Miami Herald reports that up until his indictment, Abramoff was evading interviews by FBI detectives:
-- Aug. 18, 2005 • A 'smattering' of lawmakers are returning money given to them by indicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff. Reports the Asbury Park Press:
-- Aug. 18, 2005 • Amid a storm of ethics scandals on Capitol Hill, inside-the-beltway newspaper, The Hill, is urging lawmakers on the House ethics committee to begin investigating ethical breaches immediately. -- Aug. 17, 2005 • Scandal-ridden lobbyist and former DeLay bosom buddy, Jack Abramoff, has agreed to talk to investigators about the gangland-style killing of Florida businessman, Gus Boulis, reports the AP via the Gainsville Sun. -- Aug. 17, 2005 • The Hill reports that Republican members of Congress have scheduled a legal defense fundraiser for indicted DeLay associates John Colyandro and Jim Ellis:
-- Aug. 17, 2005 • Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.) defends his decision to invite DeLay to a fundraiser (golf, of course) by babbling the following:
We don't know if Wilson's been keeping abreast of DeLay-related news, but when the most-admonished House majority leader in the history of the U.S. Congress is your guest of honor, it's probably not "positive" name recognition that's attracting all of the attention. -- Aug. 17, 2005 • This just in from the mouth of Tom DeLay:
No mention, of course, of the rising oil prices or the recent pork barrel legislation DeLay ushered through Congress. There's too many editorials decrying Congress' latest binge on pet projects to list here, so instead, we'll include the Google News Search. • On Friday, scandal-ridden lobbyist Jack Abramoff was arrested on charges of fraud over a business deal involving a Florida casino cruise boat company. Today, the Dallas Morning News underscores why Abramoff's arrest could prove critical to uncovering DeLay's involvement in Abramoff's schemes.
-- Aug. 15, 2005 • Slate.com's Timothy Noah pokes fun at the Hammer's operatic undertones (and gives plenty of hyperlinks). -- Aug. 15, 2005 • Tom DeLay is once again attacking the courts, most notably questioning the Supreme Court's ability to strike down laws it deems unconstitutional, reports the Houston Chronicle.
Not surprisingly, DeLay fails to mention that seven of the Court's nine justices were appointed by Republican presidents. -- Aug. 15, 2005 • The American Jewish Committee (AJC) is asking Rep. DeLay to pull out of speaking from the Justice Sunday II telecast on the grounds that the show will be "promoting the insidious and baseless notion that the U.S. Supreme Court is hostile towards people of faith." -- Aug. 12, 2005 • From Slate.com:
-- Aug. 12, 2005 • The AP via the Washington Post reports that federal prosecutors have announced plans to seek bank fraud charges against scandal-ridden lobbyist and former DeLay ally, Jack Abramoff. The charges stem from Abramoff's business deal with a now-defunct gambling cruise line, SunCruz. The story of SunCruz is one to behold. It involves alleged mafia ties, threats of physical violence, and one Representative Bob Ney using the House floor to intimidate SunCruz's former owner. -- Aug. 11, 2005 • The FEC has found that ARMPAC, a Delay-led PAC, misreported more than $300,000 it owed to vendors and illegally paid for some of its operations with money from other Delay-led entities. Read the AP story at the Washington Post. -- Aug. 11, 2005 • Local news out of Houston, Texas, from KHOU.com:
-- Aug. 10, 2005 • The AP via the Washington Post reports that a Texas state district judge has denied a motion by the attorneys of DeLay associates John Colyandro and Jim Ellis to dismiss charges of money laundering and accepting illegal contributions on the basis that the law was unclear. Not surprisingly, the attorneys have stated they will file an appeal, which could easily delay a trial for several months. -- August 10, 2005 • Reports the AP via the New York Times:
-- Aug. 9, 2005 • The DeLay-Abramoff-Bush connection? Here's a strange new twist in the Abramoff lobbying scandal, from the LA Times:
-- Aug. 7, 2005 • From the LA Times:
ThinkProgress.org notes that DeLay has yet to return $4,500 in illegal contributions. -- Aug. 8, 2005 • Interested in how DeLay's ethical lapses are effecting local races? Look no further than a Phoenix city council race. A letter to the editor in today's Arizona Republic questions a councilman's decision to send his money to Tom DeLay.
-- Aug. 5, 2005 • File this under things that make you go "hmmm": The San Diego Union Tribune is reporting that Rep. DeLay and the emblatteled Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham traveled aboard private jets sponsored by Group W:
-- Aug. 5, 2005 • Austin Bonner over at TMPCafe.com calls attention to Jack Abramoff's notorious Signatures restaurant, which was the scene of many lavish meals with Abramoff and government officials, including Rep. DeLay.
-- Aug. 5, 2005 • Jeffery Birnbaum of the Washington Post discusses the inadequacy of current lobbying laws and ethics guidelines in Congress. Despite efforts to limit the amount of money passing from lobbyists hands to members of Congress and their election committees, the availability of favor-trading has never been greater.
- TomPaine.com columnist [and The Nation's Washington editor] David Corn adds his own anguish to the discussion of the corruption in Washington. - The Birminghan News opinion page expresses its dismay over the travel violations in Congress:
-- Aug. 4, 2005 • Could there be a Rove-Norquist-Abramoff connection? Oh the tangled webs members of Congress weave: RAW STORY reports that Rove's aide screened calls to Rove based on whether they were pre-approved by Grover Norquist, who, of course, used to work for scandal-ridden lobbyist Jack Abramoff. -- Aug. 4, 2005 • Tom DeLay will be speaking about the future of the Supreme Court at the Two Rivers Baptist Church in Nashville, August 14th, reports the Tennessean . The event is organized by the Family Research Council, and is titled "Justice Sunday II." Two Rivers pastor Jerry Sutton recently threatened to pack up his church and move elsewhere if Nashville passed gay rights legislation. In a column that appeared in a 2003 March issue of The Tennessean, Sutton wrote:
The 'Justice Sunday' events have been the subject of controversy over issues of separation of church & state. "We see Justice Sunday as part of a larger effort to link church and state in ways not seen in America since the Puritans were hanging Quakers on Boston Commons and exiling Baptists to Rhode Island," said the Rev. Joe Phelps, pastor of Highland Baptist Church. [Church & State, June 1, 2005] We're reminded of a speech given by DeLay to the Sugarland Rotary Club in March 2005:
-- Aug. 2, 2005 • TIME.com reminds us of why public opinion polls of Congress are right now at record-breaking lows. On the recent passing of the energy bill:
-- Aug. 1, 2005 • Another hiring in the revolving door of Majority Leader DeLay's office. Roll Call [paid subscription required] reports that DeLay has hired Anne Bradbury as Deputy Director of legislative operations. Bradbury replaces Danielle Simonetta, who left DeLay's office last week to become director of federal relations for the national financial services company TIAA-CREF. -- Aug. 1, 2005 • Surprise! Tom DeLay's friends are once again profitting from provisions 'mysteriously' slipped into legislation. The whistleblower, Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) says the provision "apppears to steer the administration of 75% of the $1.5 billion fund to a private consortium located in the district of Majority Leader Tom DeLay." From TomPaine.com:
-- July 28, 2005 • House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) has requested that the House ethics committee establish a formal approval process by which members of Congress may pre-approve travel paid for by corporations, non-profits and trade association, reports Roll Call [paid subscription required]. But Hastert's proposal is being questioned by some:
- Similar story in the Washington Post -- July 28, 2005 • Timothy Flanigan--Bush's nominee to be U.S. deputy attorney general--is encountering the ire of the Senate Judiciary Committee. Flanigan's ties to scandal-ridden lobbyist Jack Abramoff recently came under view during a committee hearing, reports the Chicago Tribune.
-- July 27, 2005 • A new NBC/Wall Street Journal poll shows the public's opinion of Congress to be at its lowest in 10 years, reports Roll Call [paid subscription required]. Who's to blame? One explanation is the public's dismay over the ethical 'confusion' in Congress, reports Roll Call:
-- July 27, 2005 • It seems Jack Abramoff isn't the only lobbyist using his ties to DeLay's office to boost business. Reports the Louisville Courier-Journal, one lobbying firm has been touting its relationship with the embattled Majority Leader on fliers:
-- July 26, 2005 • The Chicago Tribune reports that President Bush's nominee to be deputy attorney general reportedly oversaw the work of scandal-ridden lobbyist Jack Abramoff, who is known to have had close ties to Rep. DeLay's office. -- July 26, 2005 • House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) has announced that he run again and continue to serve as Speaker of the U.S. House. DeLay stands to benefit from this news, reports the Washington Post:
-- July 25, 2005 • Public Citizen's analysis of last quarter's collections by DeLay's legal expense trust has been picked up by the Washington Post.
-- July 22, 2005 • Public Campaign Action Fund's "Daily DeLay" blog reports:
-- July 21, 2005 • Roll Call reports that because DeLay is considered vulnerable (having received only 55 percent of the vote last time in a race with a relatively unknown Democratic challenger), his campaign 'war chest' has bankrolled $726,000 in the second quarter. -- July 19, 2005 • The LA Times looks at Rep. Mollohan's (D-W.Va.) stunning success in pressuring House Republicans to back down from their partisan changes to the ethics committee.
-- July 18, 2005 • Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) director Melanie Sloan has penned a stinging comparison of Republican and Democrat ethics violations. -- July 18, 2005 • The Washington Post heaves a sigh of relief over the expected reconvening of the House ethics committee. -- July 16, 2005 • It seems that scandal-ridden lobbyist Jack Abramoff has found a buyer for his now notorious restaurant, Signatures. One of the buyers is former Representative turned-lobbyist Bob Livingston. Reports the Washington Post:
Democrats.org reports that, like Abramoff, Livingston lobbied for Indian gaming interests.
• The DeLay-Colyandro-Rove connection: A news release from the Campaign for a Cleaner Congress links embattled Bush advisor Karl Rove to TRMPAC official John Colyandro.
-- July 14, 2005 • Democrats are insisting that DeLay return a contribution of $25,000 from the Kansas energy company, Westar, reports the Dallas Morning News.
-- July 14, 2005 • The ethics scandals in Congress are boosting Democratic fundraising efforts, reports The Hill. The upcoming DeLay-Lampson showdown in Texas promises to be one of the most expensive congressional campaigns in the country.
-- July 13, 2005 • The LA Times updates yesterday's news on TRMPAC official, John Colyandro. -- July 13, 2005 • BREAKING NEWS! Congress Daily PM reports:
-- July 12, 2005 • The Guardian reports that Tom DeLay's campaign raised nearly $800,000 in the past three months, while his Democratic challenger secured another $500,000, amounting to what looks to be an expensive Congressional campaign.
• Travel scandals continue. USA Today editorializes on recent Congressional junkets that were paid for by shady nonprofits and on which lobbyists accompanied lawmakers.
-- July 12, 2005 • Columnist John Young of the Waco Tribune meditates on recent reports that Westar has admitted donating $25,000 in exchange for access to Rep. DeLay.
-- July 12, 2005 • Raw Story reports that Congressional Democrats are moving behind the scenes to file ethics complaints against DeLay.
-- July 11, 2005 • As a backdrop to the Senate Indian Affairs Committee investigation into the dealings of scandal-ridden lobbyist Jack Abramoff, Bloomberg News reports that closer attention is being paid to 501(c)4 organizations, which were used by Abramoff and others to funnel money from his Indian tribe clients to projects run by political operatives, reports Bloomberg. -- July 11, 2005 • The Houston Chronicle provides an AP update of the TRMPAC story:
-- July 7, 2005 • An energy company has said it donated $25,000 to a Delay-led political action committee in exchange for access to the Majority Leader. At the time of the meeting, the company--Westar Energy of Kansas--was seeking an exemption from an energy bill passing through the House. This appears to be the most damning evidence against DeLay since investigations began. The Dallas Morning News reports:
-- July 7, 2005 • The newspapers espouse on the 'culture of corruption' in Washington: -- July 7, 2005 • Reports the Washington Post:
The New York Times also covers the story, but focuses on the campaign to unseat embattled Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham (R-Calif.). Cunningham recently responded to the charges against him in a speech to the Escondido Rotary Club in California. The meeting was closed to reporters. -- July 6, 2005 • The Washington Post provides an email written by scandal-ridden lobbyist Jack Abramoff to Signatures restaurant staff instructing them not to bill Tom DeLay and his guests that evening. -- July 6, 2005 • It's official--the House ethics committee is back in business. But, cautions the Associated Press (via the Washington Post), it remains to be seen whether the committee will be effective in investigating and enforcing House rules:
-- July 1, 2005 • The Hill reports that although some privately-funded congressional junkets have been canceled due to increased scrutiny in the media (no thanks to DeLay), there continues to be a flurry of lavish fundraisers far beyond the watchful eyes of beltway journalists.
• Bloomberg News profiles Rep. John Boehner (R-Ohio) and speculates on a power grab from other prominent Republicans (hint, hint):
-- June 30, 2005 • The House ethics committee's top Democrat is suggesting that the impasse may be near a resolution, reports the Washington Post. In the as-yet unofficial agreement, Rep. Hastings (R-Wash.) has agreed to withdraw his demand that his own chief of staff serve as co-director of the committee and instead allow a nonpartisan official to be elected by committee vote--a victory for Democrats. -- June 30, 2005 • The Washington Post reports that DeLay has hired yet another communications director, Kevin Madden, known as "Maddog" to his friends:
-- June 30, 2005 • We discovered a letter-to-the-editor in today's Upper Cape-Codder. The author cited a Public Citizen News piece from June 2005 listing DeLay's ethical transgressions since arriving in public office. Concludes the author,
-- June 30, 2005 • In the aftermath of DeLay's travelgate, and with the House ethics committee paralyzed by a staffing dispute, some GOP freshman members are hammering out a plan to ban all private travel until the ethics committee is again functioning, reports Roll Call [paid subscription required]. Only Reps. Charles Boustany (La.) and Mike Conaway (Texas) are named as part of the freshman 'handful.' -- June 29, 2005 • DeLay is advocating legislation to forbid using federal funds to remove religous documents and symbols from federal property, which might be required under this week's Supreme Court decision. Reports the Washington Times, .
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DeLay and company arrived at an Austin courthouse for