NationStates Jolt Archive

By DAVID ESPO, AP Special Correspondent

WASHINGTON - House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, hoping to hold support among fellow Republicans, urged GOP senators Tuesday to blame Democrats if asked about his ethics controversy and accused the news media of twisting supportive comments so they sounded like criticism.

Officials said DeLay recommended that senators respond to questions by saying Democrats have no agenda other than partisanship, and are attacking him to prevent Republicans from accomplishing their legislative program. One Republican said the Texan referred to a "mammoth operation" funded by Democratic supporters and designed to destroy him as a symbol of the Republican majority.

DeLay also thanked Sen. Rick Santorum (news, bio, voting record), R-Pa., for his recent comments and said the news media had twisted them to make them sound critical, the officials added, all speaking on condition of anonymity.


In an appearance on ABC's "This Week" on Sunday, Santorum said DeLay "has to come forward and lay out what he did and why he did it and let the people then judge for themselves. But from everything I've heard, again, from the comments and responding to those, is everything he's done was according to the law."


The officials who described DeLay's brief remarks noted that the session, a regularly scheduled weekly lunch, was held under rules of secrecy. Dan Allen, DeLay's spokesman, declined comment.


DeLay's case is at the heart of a broader controversy in the House, where Democrats accuse Republicans of unilaterally changing ethics committee rules to prevent any further investigation of DeLay. Republicans have denied the allegation.


The panel arranged a meeting for Wednesday, and Rep. Alan Mollohan (news, bio, voting record) of West Virginia, the senior Democrat, said he would renew a push for a bipartisan rewrite of the rules that Republicans put into effect in January on a party-line vote. Officials in both parties said they knew of no compromise discussions.


One senior Republican spoke sympathetically of DeLay after the closed-door meeting.


"I hope he survives, and I hope he will stay in there and do his job," said Sen. Trent Lott (news, bio, voting record), R-Miss.


"The power of prayer is the only thing that will sustain you" in the circumstance DeLay is in, Lott added, and he spoke disparagingly of any Republicans who fail to stand by the Texan.


"That's the problem, you know, Republicans eat their own. ... Democrats stand by their own until hell freezes over," said Lott, who was ousted as Senate majority leader two years ago after making controversial race-based comments at a birthday party for the late Strom Thurmond.


DeLay was admonished three times last year by the House ethics committee. Recent articles have disclosed that his wife and daughter were paid approximately $500,000 in recent years by political organizations under his control, and have raised questions about the financing of three overseas trips he took.


DeLay has consistently denied any violation of either law or House rules.


His private remarks to Senate Republicans were in keeping with the response frequently offered on his behalf by House Republicans: Blame the Democrats and occasionally the news media for the scrutiny he faces. House Republicans intend to follow the script later in the week, hoping to showcase passage of bankruptcy legislation and estate tax repeal as a counterpoint to Democratic charges that they are merely power-hungry.


Several Republicans stressed that DeLay's appearance at the senators' lunch was routine, noting that GOP leaders of one house have begun attending meetings of the rank and file of the other house in recent weeks.


His remarks were "very low-key. It wasn't demanding or threatening or pounding the table," Lott said afterward.

This is yet another example of the attempts to bludgeon the Tom DeLay violations out of Congress. They not only brought out the "partisan politics" line but also threw in "prayer is the only thing that will sustain you" to hold the Bible Belt. They continue to turn a legitimate ethics question in to a political attack on the Democrats "lack of message". Any thoughts?

Make sure to eat your daily dose of Santorum! (http://www.spreadingsantorum.com/)


DeLay's just bithcy becuase he broke the rules and someone actually found out. Then he did it again. You would think he would learn from the first time but no, he didn't. I persoanlly think he should be whacked.

DeLay's just bithcy becuase he broke the rules and someone actually found out. Then he did it again. You would think he would learn from the first time but no, he didn't. I persoanlly think he should be whacked.

I'd get rid of him too. It would do the Republican Party good to take a real stand against corruption and unethical behavior, something they love to do to Democrats and yet find it unthinkable that their party of "family values" could ever do so. It's a "Kool-Aid mentality" that will only hurt.

Bitchy, a bit of an understatement don't you think?

Bitchy, a bit of an understatement don't you think?
very dry humor.

This is yet another example of the attempts to bludgeon the Tom DeLay violations out of Congress. They not only brought out the "partisan politics" line but also threw in "prayer is the only thing that will sustain you" to hold the Bible Belt. They continue to turn a legitimate ethics question in to a political attack on the Democrats "lack of message". Any thoughts?

All that really comes to mind was Tina Fey's comments on SNL: "DeLay responded to critics by saying that this was just another partisan attack by Democrats to drive him from office. . .by using his own thoughts, words, and actions against him."

Republicans (and Democrats):

Don't oust Tom DeLay, that great albatross, that fringe extremist, that goose-stepping paragon of the rightwing. Keep him around, for there is nothing I would enjoy watching more than the neo-con hijacked Republican party sink like a stone into the abyss.

Republicans: Don't only defend DeLay, make him your spokesperson, the most visible Republican in the world. Have his face plastered everywhere, and have his every deed filmed, photographed, and duly noted so that every moderate fence sitting Republican can see just what that party stands for, and leave it.

Democrats: Kick them while their down, and never stop kicking. 'Nuff said.

Isn't it enough threads already about Tom DeLay? This is the third one I've seen and I'm getting kind of sick of them.

Gays and Christians are the ones who have to deal with the most shit on this forum, Carpe. If you want to start bitching, tell everyone who makes posts about homosexuals and christianity to shut up. Because, hell, you know best, right? We musn't upset NovaCarpeDiem!

This DeLay thing is like watching a train wreck. But the Republicans are smart. They're building towards getting rid of him.

Thank goodness some people are willing to expose the corruption of our politicians. Just think if he had gotten a blow job from an intern and lied under oath about it. Luckily, he was caught before things ever got that far though. :headbang:

DeLay kind of makes ya miss Newt, doesn't he? The guy's got no dignity at all. He's got to know, when you start playing the Democrat game ("It's All a Partisan Plot" ) You're done, finished, toast.
the Clinton Strategy ("Deny Everything, Admit Nothing, make Counter-Accusations") only works for Democrats. It just sounds silly coming from Republicans... (it ought to sound silly coming from either side, but...) DeLay should resign before he further embarasses his family and himself.

much to everyone dismay,shock, and horror, i am going to join this conversation in a minute, as soon as i find the appropriate links. i am actually fed up with democrat, and have something to show all you.

DeLay kind of makes ya miss Newt, doesn't he? The guy's got no dignity at all. He's got to know, when you start playing the Democrat game ("It's All a Partisan Plot" ) You're done, finished, toast.
the Clinton Strategy ("Deny Everything, Admit Nothing, make Counter-Accusations") only works for Democrats. It just sounds silly coming from Republicans... (it ought to sound silly coming from either side, but...) DeLay should resign before he further embarasses his family and himself.

Clinton's "vast rightwing conspiracy" talk was pretty bad too.

so , dems , you want a link, or an ultra long post about who is actually the biggest spenders in congress?


only people worthy of arguing will read the whole thing- here (http://www.nationalreview.com/comment/pfeiffer200503150957.asp)

so , dems , you want a link, or an ultra long post about who is actually the biggest spenders in congress?


only people worthy of arguing will read the whole thing- here (http://www.nationalreview.com/comment/pfeiffer200503150957.asp)

I think we all know liberals tend to spend more. Liberals also tend to spend on social programs, not wars.

As for this administration - George Bush has yet to see a spending bill he doesn't like.

Oh, for everyone in the US wondering - The Cost of the Iraq War (http://costofwar.com/)

so , dems , you want a link, or an ultra long post about who is actually the biggest spenders in congress?


only people worthy of arguing will read the whole thing- here (http://www.nationalreview.com/comment/pfeiffer200503150957.asp)


Democrats tend to represent higher income, higher density city settings where trade is a principle concern. Given that Democratic districts are more valuable and important than Republican ones, it seems only fair for Democrats to need to take these trips, their higher command over the economy requires them to take the initiative where trade is concerned.

Democrats tend to represent higher income, higher density city settings where trade is a principle concern. Given that Democratic districts are more valuable and important than Republican ones, it seems only fair for Democrats to need to take these trips, their higher command over the economy requires them to take the initiative where trade is concerned.
then why couldnt they vote in their president?

then why couldnt they vote in their president?
because young people these days are apathetic towards politics.

The 18-25 crowd is the stongest democrat support out there, yet in the last election, only 1 out of 10 people in that age group voted. It was pathetic.

Nothin' like a little finger pointing to get everyone all riled up, eh?

Well ... anyway ... just wanted to address this:

so , dems , you want a link, or an ultra long post about who is actually the biggest spenders in congress?

Didn't yo' mama ever tell you that two wrongs don't make a right?

The "well *they* did it too" argument won't save Tom.

I think we all know liberals tend to spend more. Liberals also tend to spend on social programs, not wars.

As for this administration - George Bush has yet to see a spending bill he doesn't like.

Oh, for everyone in the US wondering - The Cost of the Iraq War (http://costofwar.com/)

Why dont you actually read the article. It isnt about spending on social programs or wars.

Why dont you actually read the article. It isnt about spending on social programs or wars.

Exactly. The National Review's analysis of the problem is impecable. The Republican political crisis management team is the best in the world. If DeLay can get them to fight for him, no amount of ethics violations could get rid of him.

DeLay by himself however, is but a wounded political animal. His violations of ethics code may be overstated in the one case this article takes to task, but rhis is merely one out of how many censures? Without the resources of the GOP's spin doctors, he's likely to be ousted.

So the question becomes this; will the GOP side with DeLay?

Fun fact: Before Tom Delay was elected, he ran a pest-control business in Sugar Land.

This is yet another example of the attempts to bludgeon the Tom DeLay violations out of Congress. They not only brought out the "partisan politics" line but also threw in "prayer is the only thing that will sustain you" to hold the Bible Belt. They continue to turn a legitimate ethics question in to a political attack on the Democrats "lack of message". Any thoughts?I find DeLay to be one of biggest hypocrites and one of the sleaziest examples of some sub-human species that ever oozed through the halls of Congress. This (http://www.texasobserver.org/showArticle.asp?ArticleID=1743) was my introduction to him, back in the 90's when he was advocating economic slavery.

Just because it seems like it's on topic .... n'joy!
Spread it around, even ...?
;)

Lawmakers feeling fallout from lobbyist probe
Philip Shenon (NY TIMES) – Week of April 11, 2005
…
Abramoff, known to envious competitors as “Casino Jack” because of his multimillion-dollar lobbying fees from the gambling operations of Indian tribes, wrote to a Texas tribe in June 2002 to say that a member of Congress had “asked if we could help (as In cover) a Scotland golf trip for him and some staff” that summer. “The trip will be quite expensive,” Abramoff said in the e-mail message, estimating that the bills “would be around $100K or more.” He added that in 2000, “We did this for another member – you know who.”
Abramoff did not explain why the tribe should pay for the lavish trip or identify the congressmen by name. But a tribe spokesman has since testified to Congress that the 2002 trip was organized for Rep. Bob Ney, R-Ohio and chairman of the House Administration Committee, and that “you know who” was Tom DeLay, R-Texas, the House majority leader and old friend of Abramoff’s. Both lawmakers have said they believed that their trips to Britain complied with House travel rules.
The e-mail message of June 7, 2002, is part of a mountain of evidence gathered in recent months by the Justice Department, the Interior Department and two Senate committees in influence-peddling and corruption investigations centered on Abramoff, a former college Republican activist turned B-movie producer turned $750-an-hour Washington super-lobbyist.
…
DeLay has blamed Democrats and the “liberal media” for stirring up ethics allegations against him.
Members of the Senate are also feeling pressure over their ties to Abramoff. Last month, Democratic leaders in Montana demanded that Sen. Conrad Burns, R-Mont., return $137,000 in donations from Abramoff and his tribal clients.
In the House, several Republicans have had to explain why they and senior staff members accepted extravagant gifts from Abramoff, including use of his skyboxes at Washington sports arenas, trips to the Super Bowl and meals at Signatures, Abramoff’s pricey restaurant on Pennsylvania Avenue.
-
(Further w/DeLay)

George H.W. Bush appointed more than half the 791 federal judges in the country.
(…resulting in …)
IMPEACHMENT OF JUDGES WOULD ELIMINATE CONSERVATIVES
(Richard Reeves – nationally syndicated columnist) - Week of April 11, 2005
…
“Mass impeachment” should be considered, said one conservative, Dr. Thomas Coburn, the newly elected Republican senator from Oklahoma.
Coburn offered that opinion last Thursday at a conference of a conservative group called “Confronting the Judicial War on Faith.” The star of the conference, though he appeared only on videotape, was House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, who said it was time the Congress brought the federal judicial system to its heel, as it would train a frisky young pup. “Judicial independence does not mean judicial supremacy,” he said. “There is another way, ladies and gentlemen, and that is to reassert our constitutional authority over the courts.”
Among DeLay’s many problems these days – most of which involve raising and spending money in the most questionable of ways – is a misunderstanding of the Constitution and the role of the judiciary. Among the opponents he has aroused is the man who has dominated the court for almost two decades, the very conservative Chief Justice Rehnquist. The chief has been critical of such congressional attacks in the past and has stated flatly and correctly; “A judge’s judicial acts may not serve as a basis for impeachment.”