Max, your all-cap thread titles are cracking me up. I've never seen you so excited. Did you drink some Morning Thunder?
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20050928/ap_on_go_co/delay_investigation DeLay Indicted in Campaign Finance Probe WASHINGTON - 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. The indictment against the second-ranking, and most assertive Republican leader came on the final day of the grand jury's term. It followed earlier indictments of a state political action committee founded by DeLay and three of his political associates. The grand jury action is expected to have immediate consequences in the House, where DeLay is largely responsible for winning passage of the Republican legislative program. House Republican Party rules require leaders who are indicted to temporarily step aside from their leadership posts. However, DeLay retains his seat representing Texas' 22nd congressional district, suburbs southwest of Houston. DeLay has denied committing any crime and accused the Democratic district attorney leading the investigation, Ronnie Earle, of pursuing the case for political motives. Democrats have kept up a crescendo of criticism of DeLay's ethics, citing three times last year that the House ethics committee admonished DeLay for his conduct.
Justice rules in America... at least today. Great news. The Austin American-Statesman strongly hinted this morning that it would happen today. One of those columns where you could tell they got a tip, and couldn't be more specific. DeLay is a cancer on the body politic, and someone who should fill Republicans with shame. Was anyone else indicted today? It's the last day for this grand jury, from what I understand. Glad they went for the real person behind this travesty, instead of simply some "fall guys." edit: They indicted a couple of underlings as well! Good. This should make Corporate America think twice before trying to skirt the law at the encouragement of scum like DeLay. Keep D&D Civil!!
any bets DeLay won't step away from his leadership posts unless he goes to prison (after conviction and a lenghty appeals process)?
According to House rules, he has to step down from his leadership position. The Republican Party should give him a boot in the butt, ASAP. Just an FYI... Travis County DA Ronnie Earle, who will, no doubt, be vilified on Fox News and Rush Limbaugh today, has indicted far more Democrats during his distinguished career than Republicans. Makes me proud to be a Travis County Democrat. Happy day! Keep D&D Civil!!
You da MAN Ronnie WRONG dude to mess with, Earle turned HIMSELF in for missing a campaign filling deadline and wrote a check to the judge. He has taken a bite out of dirty Democrats as quickly as he shat on Republicans--this was NOT NOT NOT a partisan issue, nothing but somkescreen from the right! Mess with the bull, and ya get the horns....go get'em Ronnie!
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/delay_ti...5cDW7oF;_ylu=X3oDMTBiMW04NW9mBHNlYwMlJVRPUCUl Chronology: House Majority Leader Delay By The Associated Press Wed Sep 28, 8:52 AM ET Some key events and controversies in the career of House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, R-Texas: _1984: Elected to represent the 22nd District of Texas in the U.S. House of Representatives. _1994: Elected majority whip. _July 1997: DeLay was part of a group that tried, but failed, to oust House Speaker Newt Gingrich. _October 1998: DeLay attacks the Electronics Industries Alliance for hiring former Democratic Rep. Dave McCurdy as its president and later receives a private rebuke from the House ethics committee. _November 2002: Elected majority leader without opposition. _September 2004: Grand jurors in Texas indict three DeLay associates — Jim Ellis, John Colyandro, and Warren RoBold — in an investigation of alleged illegal corporate contributions to a political action committee associated with him. The investigation involved the alleged use of corporate funds to aid Republican candidates for the Texas legislature in the 2002 elections. _September-October 2004: DeLay is admonished by the House ethics committee on three separate issues. The committee chastised DeLay for offering to support the House candidacy of Michigan Republican Rep. Nick Smith (news, bio, voting record)'s son in return for the lawmaker's vote for a Medicare prescription drug benefit. The panel said DeLay created the appearance of linking political donations to a legislative favor, and that he had improperly sought the Federal Aviation Administration's intervention in a Texas political dispute. _January 2005: House Republicans reverse a controversial rule passed in November 2004 that would have allowed DeLay to keep his leadership post if he were indicted. _March 2005: Media reports spur Democrats to question DeLay's relationship with lobbyist Jack Abramoff, who is under federal investigation. Delay has asked the House ethics committee to review allegations that Abramoff or his clients paid some of DeLay's overseas travel expenses. DeLay has denied knowing that the expenses were paid by Abramoff. _April 2005: House Republicans scrap controversial new ethics committee rules passed earlier in the year that would have made it harder to proceed with an ethics investigation. Democrats charged the rules were meant to protect DeLay. _September 2005: Ellis and Colyandro are indicted on additional felony charges of violating Texas election law and criminal conspiracy to violate election law for their role in 2002 legislative races.
They will not be changed. All the House members will do is look at the poll numbers. They are in deep trouble for '06 already. They are not going to fall on their swords for DeLay, imo. Keep D&D Civil!!
Actually in the last election, while bush got something like 70% of the vote in the district, Delay only got 55%. Clearly a meaningful number of Republicans don't care for him.
'I have notified the Speaker that I will temporarily step aside from my position as majority leader pursuant to rules of the House Republican Conference and the actions of the Travis County District Attorney today' ... http://www.breitbart.com/news/2005/09/28/D8CTCQ2OC.html
