I don't think we're breaking this news here, but it's worth repeating: Tom DeLay was indicted and will step aside (for now) as House Majority Leader. Let's take a tour of the blogosphere and see what people are saying:
- Left-wing blogs:
- Atrios is shocked and prepares for the Republican reaction.
- Kos is similarly surprised, using words I won't repeat on this blog.
- Josh Marshall has evidence that DeLay plans to come back to a leadership position.
- Right-wing blogs:
- The Free Republic is taking aim at the prosecutor, Ronnie Earle.
- As usual, on RedState.Org, the comments are more interesting than the post. They wonder what the reaction will be to a "gay" House Majority Leader (Dreier).
- Powerline also predictably takes aim at Ronnie Earle.
12 comments:
Once again, the Republican strategy could not be more evident: when confronted by an accusation, don't answer it--just attack the accuser.
But I don't care if Texas Prosecutor Ronnie Earl is politically motivated--and neither should anyone else. What one should care about is that a grand jury indicted Delay for criminally conspiring to break Texas campaign laws, and the charge needs an answer.
Here's the charge: Tom Delay's "Texans for a Republican Majority" PAC accepted $155,000 from various corporations, and then wrote a $190,000 check to a wing of the Republican National Committee, along with a document specifying how much of this money was to go to which Republican candidates for the Texas State House. The trouble is that Texas campaign finance reform oultaws corporate donations to candidates.
The grand jury felt that Delay and his associates were just playing a shell game to get around the law. And really, since the financial transactions are well documented, unless Delay can show (a) he had other sources for the money, or (b) he was unaware of the actions of his own PAC, the evidence looks damning.
Stop attacking the prosecutor and answer the charges, Mr. Delay. Your fellow citizens of Texas, sitting on the grand jury, call upon you to do so.
The larger problem is that the indictment is just the tip of a larger scandal. There have been convictions related to this matter of his aides. It does have merit.
// posted by LTG
I second Dr Strangelove's opinion. Stop attacking others NOT INVOLVED and admit what you did. Is that so difficult? I wouldn't hate the Evil Empire so much if they would admit to their tactics, be honest and correct their mistakes..............
I'm sorry, I fell asleep and was dreaming of a perfect world....
// posted by Siddharthawolf
The accusations against the prosecutor won't stick to much I think. This guy is a Democrat but he's prosecuted three times as many Democrats and Republicans so it may be that the local Democrats are corrupt there. But it is certainly not that the case that they are pulling his strings.
As for De Lay's leadership prospects. His power as Majority Leader (aka "The Hammer") is based on other Reps' expectations that De Lay will be around tomorrow to punish disloyalty today. If his fellow Republicans really believe that this charge is baseless and politically motivated, then it won't matter if De Lay is actually Majority Leader or not. BUT if they have some expectation that he'll be convicted then De Lay can make all the plans for a come back he wants but his "friends" will not be there to help him.
As another Texan once said, "Son, in politics chicken salad can turn to chicken shit over night." I believe that was LBJ.
// posted by Raised By Republicans
The LA Weekly published a piece in September 2004 proclaiming that David Dreier is gay. Other organizations have followed. No word from Dreier. He has never been married.
http://www.laweekly.com/ink/04/44/news-
ireland.php
// posted by LTG
I think the Republican blogs should worry less about what Democrats will think of a Gay Republican and ask themselves what their own party leadership will think. If he comes out of the closet officially, the Christian Coalition types will be totally opposed to his leadership.
// posted by Raised By Republicans
For example, I found this comment about Drier on RedState.org "He is very soft on immigration and there are some details concerning his personal life that are a big concern to me." I didn't even have to scrol down to find it.
// posted by Raised By Republicans
When I did scroll down I found that the thread completely lost track of De Lay and went off about whether or not Drier was actually gay and whether he should be majority leader. This is the first time I've taken a look at RedState.org. I usually just wait for my relatives to send me (unasked for) their favorite bits. For those of us on this blog who hold out hope that there is either little difference between the parties or that the Republicans are reasonable people who can be counted to be restrained and compromising, take a look at RedState.org.
Ah! This De Lay thing has them in a panic.
// posted by Raised By Republicans
Actually, I find RedState.Org to be one of the most reasonable (!) right-wing blogs. A lot of liberals post comments there, so maybe that's why. If you want crazy, go look at the Free Republic.
// posted by Bell Curve
For the record, Rep. Roy Blunt was chosen over Rep. Dreier. Some called this a "revolt" of conservatives within the party. Hastert changed his mind and backed Blunt.
To reject a man who is even suspected of being gay is hardly a "revolt" in today's Republican party.
// posted by Raised By Republicans
De Lay got indicted again, this time for money laundering. He said the charge was an "abomination." Gee, if EVERYTHING is an abomination maybe homosexuals, single mothers, biology teachers, atheists, "liberals" and all the rest of us shouldn't take it so personally when he directs that term at us.
// posted by Raised By Republicans
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