CNN: “House Majority Leader Tom DeLay indicted on one count of criminal conspiracy by Texas grand jury, according to Travis County clerk’s office.”
AP: “A Texas grand jury on Wednesday charged Rep.
Tom DeLay and two political associates with conspiracy in a campaign finance scheme, an indictment that could force him to step down as House majority leader.
DeLay attorney Steve Brittain said DeLay was accused of a criminal conspiracy along with two associates, John Colyandro, former executive director of a Texas political action committee formed by DeLay, and Jim Ellis, who heads DeLay’s national political committee.”
>> CREW Lauds DeLay Indictment, Urges Congress to Investigate DeLay Cohorts
>> Nancy Pelosi: “The criminal indictment of Majority Leader Tom Delay is the latest example that Republicans in Congress are plagued by a culture of corruption at the expense of the American people.”
>> If you’re curious about the GOP talking point that Ronny Earle is a “partisan Democrat” with a vendetta against DeLay — it just ain’t true.
>> How will the RNC deal with their new majority leader?
>> Howard Dean: “With House Republican Leader Tom DeLay under criminal indictment, Senate Republican Leader Frist facing SEC and Department of Justice investigations, and White House Deputy Chief of Staff Karl Rove under investigation, the Republican leadership in Washington is now spending more time answering questions about ethical misconduct than doing the people’s business.”
>> The Truth About Ronnie Earle: “EARLE HAS PROSECUTED FOUR TIMES AS MANY DEMOCRATS AS REPUBLICANS: Over Earle s 27-year tenure, his Public Integrity Unit has prosecuted 15 elected officials, including 12 Democrats. ”
Common Cause: “DeLay indictment underscores rampant culture of corruption in Washington”
The Raw Deal : How the Bush Republicans Plan to Destroy Social Security and the Legacy of the New Deal
Interesting…I didn’t realize he had been convicted.
Hope he really fights to avoid losing his Majority Leader post. The more, the merrier. It’s time for Bush to pin a medal on him.
When/if he is convicted, he should vacate his seat.
Just another criminal posing as a politician.
I think the Republicans (but not the Democrats) have a rule that requires you to lose your leadership position if you’re indicted.
JWG, maybe a better word would have been scumbag.
Toolbox maybe?
How about “corrupt Texas business man” (kinda like Bush, haha)
“ps-and no, I’m not a homophobe, etc.- I could care less about a persons sexual orientation frankly.”
Usually when someone is so defensive that they feel the need to point that out, especially in response to THEMSELVES, they usually are a homophobe.
I’ll bet you can also be frequently heard saying “i have a lot of black friends”.
Although, i can see why today is like Christmas (or whatever holiday for whatever deity you happen to celebrate, if you choose to celebrate one at all) for Democrats.
DeLay is indicted and he’s being replaced with someone most liberals think is a closeted homo, so in addition to being able to gloat about Delay, they can also crack out their rampant homophobia and crack homophobic jokes like they’re in a junior high boys locker room, all the while saying the only reason they’re being this way is because they think Dreir is a closeted gay man in a party hostile to gays.
ps – and no, I’m not a homophobe, etc. – I could care less about a persons sexual orientation frankly.
I just can’t help but think they’ve chosen Dreier just to provide something “more controversial” to distract folks from what’s going on… you know, the typical Repub… “forget what’s in this hand… what’s in this one, is that a $50 bill?”
Hope Gilbert Godfried will forgive me for mangling his line from Beverly Hills Cop(?)
If he is gay or not, it should make no difference. As long as we rid Washington of criminals, yes CRIMINALS like “the hammer”. One of those little baby hammers mind you, one that ony can hammer in the real small nails. Not really useful on big jobs that actually require some real work. Wow, maybe he is really a hammer.
Wilbur : Where did I say that nobody should criticize him ?!
Dreier is not the issue. He might be an embarrassment to the theocons but I doubt it will matter. Certainly Dems have no problem with a homosexual in a position of authority. Good for Dreier.
Dems are having a field day because DeLay is under indictment and the entire House GOP owes its political career to him one way or another. Think about how much DeLay changed in Washington over the last several years, from the K Street project to party line votes on the Medicare bill, to funding vulnerable GOP Congressmen. Every Republican in the country that took money from DeLay will have to answer for it. “Mr. So-and-so, why did you accept money from indicted Tom DeLay?” Nothing destroys a governing majority more than corruption.
PSU… being as I am black, yes… I do have alot of Black friends. And I made that comment so as to forebear any attacks against me… geez.
So… I was being preemptorily “defensive”, eh? Thanx for reading my mind and soul and straightening out what I meant for me. I’ll be sure to drop you a line later today to find out what I should have for dinner.
Okay, Josh has a more plausible reason for the choice of Dreier
http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/week_2005_09_25.php#006651
Thanx for bringing thing things back into focus elrod
Sorry, Buma:
JWG,
Research the history of the rule. You’ll find the Rethugs are now being hoisted by their own petard.
I also never said DeLay should not be criticized nor investigated. If found guilty he should be punished accordingly. I’m just pointing out that he is not yet a criminal. He is also stepping down from his leadership position, contrary to what Media Matters repeatedly predicted.
Additionally, I have never tried to change the subject to scandals on the Democratic side. However, several people were convicted of crimes involving Whitewater, and Clinton did commit perjury, so I’m not sure why someone would be criticized for being critical of those activities.
JD and JWG are right: we on the left should emulate our good brothers and sisters on the right and refrain from any criticism whatsoever of Mr Delay until he has been given due process and convicted by a jury of his peers — just as they did in the case of the various charges and allegations made against Pres. Clinton.
To this day I have never heard one of them mention anything about Whitewater, Vince Foster, Paula Jones, perjury. Their integrity and forebearance is amazing.
I agree. And power certainly breeds corruption (or at least attracts it) for all political parties.
Er…I tried to show a blockquote tag.
“Nothing destroys a governing majority more than corruption”
Good, so does that mean I can look forward to a Republican winning the Philadelphia Mayoral election in 2007?
and Rainlion, I’d suggest a Ribeye steak, with a nice baked potato, and maybe some greenbeans.
Oh, and thanks for pointing out that you’re black. I was just getting ready to say that even though we disagree, you seem like a nice guy (or girl), a class act, and are quite articulate. But now that i know you’re black, i know you’d be insulted by that.
So what if the original purpose of the rule was to make the Republicans look more interested in ethics? Do you think that the Republican’s ethics rule is foolish? Even if DeLay did unsuccessfully try to change it, the Republicans ended up keeping the rule. What does that say about them?
OT: Does anyone know why my posts end up being in bold after I use a
tag?
PSU – no, I’m more insulted by your comment. See… saying I’m articulate without knowing my race wouldn’t have been insulting. Your high school attempt at satire (or were you being serious?) is far more insulting, or would be if I allowed myself to be bothered by foolish comments.
And sorry if I’m reading TOO much into your comments – recent activity on the blogosphere has sort of inflamed my racial sensitivities of late.
I’m no fan of DeLay.
But I do find it interesting how so many lefties are eschewing due process to make a little political hay.
Why do people keep bringing up the, “When X happened, Republicans/Democrats said the opposite!”
Of course they did. This is politics. Always has been, always will be.
Why do we continue to pretend that we’re not in a debate, smear vortex?
JWG, are you using a proper closing tag that includes a forward slash?
JWG –
The Republican wrote the rule to punish and embarass Democrats. Tried to rewrite it when it suddenly applied to them. Then backed off that effort because it looked blatantly hypocritical and would have done more political damage than keeping it. That pretty much tells you everything you need to know about the Republican congress.
On top of that we can expect — and have already heard — loud braying and bitching about how we shouldn’t pass judgement on DeLay until the process is complete — but, by the way, the process is a corrupt political attack. Again, that pretty much says it all.
No kidding, Quaker. Presumption of innocence is for the court process, not the public. Why should it be?
Really? Which “lefties” have advocated denying him a trial? One may hold the opinion that Mr. DeLay is a crook without offending democratic principles.
wow, the apologists are out in force–let’s address a few of the straw men and white elephants in the room:
DeLay and friends rode to power on their supposed ethics, promising to ‘clean up’ Congress–ironically, he’s already been censured twice for ethics infringements–so, in one sense, he has already been found guilty on similar charges,so this isn’t much of a stretch–after all, once a thief, always a thief…
and give me a f’n break about ‘let’s not rush to judgement,’ etc. first off, as has been noted, how much mud was slung on Clinton during the Whitewater investigation?
also, it’s interesting to note that this is a culmination of Ronnie Earl’s multi-year investigation into the matter, yet, on the Right, this is all equivocated by DeLay’s pleadings of innocence–of course he’s going to say that it’s all partisan! Based on the preponderance of evidence, i’d say this is somewhat equivalent to the debate about evolution vs. ‘intelligent design.’
finally, on David Drier’s sexuality–read Greg Saunder’s comments at http://www.thismodernworld.com/ –Drier’s sexuality is an issue, per the ‘Barney Frank’ rule, not because he’s gay, but he has consistently voted against pro-gay issues.
i’m glad there are so many out there who are willing to suspend judgement on the Bugman–now what about Abramoff? also, rumor has it that Rove will be indicted in October–how many scandals does it take?
PRAISE GOD FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If Democrats can’t use this blessing from Travis County to take back control of the House, that would be a sin and a doggone shame.
OH SHIT! THEY JUST REPLACED HIM WITH ROY BLUNT! That is a definite case of be careful what you wish for. Damn.
SFarris… so what are you implying, that Earle will let DeLay walk? Not to say your supposition may not be without merit, now that I ponder it… say it aint so…
Oliver should probably have read the “Truth About Ronnie Earl” story before he linked to it:
… is what Oliver quoted. Except the VERY NEXT SENTENCE…
After doing some reading, it seems like this is destined to end up much like his pseudo-prosecution of Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchinson.
spitar1 – tell me my I wasn’t right when I said in my initial comments:
“Something tells me that Dreier may never make it to the temp job in the first place& particularly once Dobson, et al. hear about it.”
Interesting… that was quick – guess they decided they wanted to limit the number of fronts/backs and sides they were fighting on at one time.
When/if he is convicted, he should vacate his seat.
JD;
Your words. Not mine
Maybe You could do your own thinking for a change
BTW;
Your continual reference to me a Ms Cleo is not in the least bit, irritating.
It only demonstrates that you use the female form as a perjorative, revealing your hate for women. Of course, this time I AM presuming to speak for you.
DavidW asked, “… how many scandals does it take?”
Well, between 1992 and 2000 we had:
GenniferFlowersgate
Nannygate
Travelgate
Whitewater
VincentFostergate
Filegate
Paulagate
Monicagate
Chinagate
Giftgate
Pardongate
… all from a President who promised to have “the most ethical administration in history,” and who instructed his officials,
“I expect every member of this administration to stay well within the boundaries that define legal and ethical conduct. This means avoiding even the appearance of problems. This means checking and, if need be, double-checking that the rules have been obeyed. This means never compromising those rules.”
Doesn’t exactly boost your confidence in elected officials, does it?
The real irony of the DeLay indictment is that it involves campaign finance rules. If only the DNC was serious about “checking and, if need be, double-checking that the rules have been obeyed” during the 1996 Presidential election, when they funneled $$MILLIONS$$ of questionable and outright illegal contributions into their coffers. Talk about “situational ethics.”
Years ago, our Oklahoma governor, David Walters (D) was involved in a similar probe. He pledged “full cooperation,” but when the investigation resulted in indictments, he pled guilty to one misdemeanor in exchange for the felony indictments being dropped. That “deal” smelled so strongly of political cronyism that Walters had to withdraw from running for a second term.
If the charges against DeLay stick, the voters in his district should know what to do.
Ms. Cleo : Do not ever presume that you can think for me. If convicted, his punishment should be whatever the law allows for.
If DeLay is convicted, what should the punishment be?
( I know, JD, you feel losing his position as Whip is sufficient )
Everyone;
What should the punishment be?
A great flood begins with just a little opening in the dike.
Semanticleo,
I’d say a slap on the wrist and a $50,000 fine should do it.
What? It was good enough for Samuel Berger.
Or is accepting money from a PAC more serious than stealing top secret documents from the National Archives?
Oh yes, and a full Presidential pardon as well.
Again, it was good enough for Mark Rich. All he did was defraud the IRS of $45 million in taxes. Oh, and, um, buy oil from Ayatollah Kohmeini, and flee to Europe as a fugitive while his companies were ordered to pay $150 million in fines and restitution to the Federal government. No big deal, right?
Ms. Cleo:
I never said that losing his position as Whip is sufficient punishment if he is convicted of the alleged crimes. Period. Did not say it.
Continue to presume incorrectly.
Have you never heard of the psychic by that name?
I cannot recall. I don’t remember. I never said….
I do enjoy watching these guys as their house of cards comes tumbling down…what else will they be wrong about?
“Have you never heard of the psychic by that name?”
“I hate men, children, religious people, atheists, just people in general. Where do you come up with this shit?”
Shit by any other name would smell as sweet
Oh, and by the way, you really pegged me. I hate women. For that matter, I hate men, children, religious people, atheists, just people in general. Where do you come up with this shit?
So if Earle has prosecuted 4 times as many democrats than republicans…why are we blaming republicans for a “culture of corruption”?
Likewise, wouldn’t republicans have to have been involved in the previous criticisms of DeLay’s ethics violations?
P.S. Quaker, thank you, but yes, I use the with /blockquote to close the tag. I blockquote fine on other blogs. But for some reason I come up with a bold paragraph after the quote on this blog. Oh, well…as long as no one thinks I’m trying really hard to be noticed!
P.P.S. I figured out the blockquote – bold problem (like anyone cares). On this blog you have to hit a return after closing the blockquote tag.
One may hold the opinion that Mr. DeLay is a crook without offending democratic principles.
How can that be an opinion? Somebody is either a crook, or they aren’t.
It’s my opinion that Teddy Kennedy is a murderer.
Make sense?
When you see the evidence, then you know. Until then, all you can have is an opinion.
PSU94, re your earlier post about “[can] I … look forward to a Republican winning the Philadelphia Mayoral election in 2007?”
I am a life-long Dem, but have voted against Mayor John Street for his entire political life, dating back over more than 25 years since I moved to Philly. Corruption is corruption. I can draw you some strange but true parallels in the way Street does things and the way Bush does things. I lump them together, even though they may be miles apart on most issues (other than pay-to-play, cronyism, faith-basing). Both are dispicable human beings.
If you don’t fight corruption it will proliferate.
In that picture, why is DeLay’s left hand turning into a claw?
Maybe he’s a werewolf, Quaker — OW – ooooooo!