Politico noted DeLay's "retirement" from Congress, but not that he resigned after indictment
In a June 7 article on Republican efforts to win back the congressional seat formerly held by former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-TX), now belonging to Democrat Nick Lampson, The Politico reported that no Republican appeared on the ballot in the 22nd District in 2006 "[b]ecause of DeLay's withdrawal from the race and retirement from Congress in June 2006." The article did not note that DeLay resigned his seat following his indictment in Texas on money laundering and conspiracy charges relating to a campaign finance probe and that two of DeLay's former staffers, press secretary Michael Scanlon and deputy chief of staff Tony C. Rudy, have pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges involving disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff.
Moreover, by only noting DeLay's "retirement" from Congress, the article ignored reports that he resigned because his poll numbers were low and his re-election in doubt. A December 5, 2005, CNN/USA Today/Gallup poll "suggest[ed] the criminal charges against Rep. Tom DeLay have taken a toll on his political support back home in his solidly Republican House district." And in an April 5, 2006, article on DeLay's decision to resign from Congress, The Washington Post reported that "[s]everal associates said DeLay was particularly influenced by poll results he received after his victory in the Republican primary on March 7, which made clear that his 'negatives' in the district -- a routine tally of voters' emotional hostility toward him -- were high." The previous day, the Post had reported that "[f]ormer aides and sources close to DeLay said his decision was motivated not by Rudy's guilty plea but by DeLay's concerns that he might lose his suburban Houston seat to his Democratic opponent, former representative Nick Lampson, and his belief that another Republican could win instead." A federal judge later ruled that DeLay's name had to stay on the ballot.
As Media Matters for America has noted, in a June 5 article on the political implications of the June 4 corruption-related indictment of Rep. William Jefferson (D-LA), The Politico baselessly suggested the "culture of corruption" on Capitol Hill is bipartisan and described DeLay simply as "scandal-plagued," but did not note that he was indicted. Further, on April 23, The Politico ran an op-ed by DeLay in which he falsely alleged that "George Soros, upset with the slight inroads conservatives have made recently, has funded an organization called Media Matters for America, led by liberal muckraker David Brock." On April 26, The Politico ran a correction of DeLay's op-ed.
From the June 7 Politico article:
Former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay represented the 22nd District for nearly 22 years, winning strong support for his outspoken brand of conservatism. Voters there backed President George W. Bush by a nearly two-thirds margin in 2004. The district's base of Sugar Land, Texas, was even featured in The Washington Post as the country's best representation of the conservative heartland.
Given the district's rightward moorings, this is the type of seat that the National Republican Congressional Committee needs to win to have any chance of taking back the House majority it lost in 2006.
Lampson claimed the seat last year in a race where he was the beneficiary of some good fortune. Because of DeLay's withdrawal from the race and retirement from Congress in June 2006, no Republican was eligible to appear on last year's ballot. Even so, GOP write-in candidate Shelley Sekula-Gibbs won 42 percent of the vote against Lampson. She served in Congress for two months at the end of the year to complete DeLay's unexpired term.
I wouldn't mind this if this type of "innocent until proven guilty" ethic were applied equally to democrats. Since they are not, that is why this is here, Tommy!
"You're fired! Er... I mean, retired!"
The late Charlton Heston, head of the NRA, thrilled the NRA crowd when he proclaimed, "They will take my gun away only when they pry it from my cold, dead fingers!"
Tom DeLay's entire life's obsession and ambition was tied up in being a power broker in Washington. He easily exemplified a similar sentiment: "They will take my GOP LEADERSHIP ROLE away only when they pry it from my cold, dead fingers!"
Next time you see Tom on the TeeVee, look at his hands. Yup, those are cold dead fingers.
I guess the party of morality has not heard of ethics. Why else would convicted criminals like Libby, North and now DeLay be given regular soapboxes to keep eschewing their spiteful, derisive and divisive rhetoric. The sad part is the rightwingers lap it up like spilled milk.
Let us not forget John Edward's retirement from the Senate.
Delay gets amnesty.Where's the outrage?
The connection is, AA?
There is none... more non-sequitur from AA. TGIF :)
Sorry. Apparently I was to subtle. They both are no longer in Congress because they both felt they would lose their re-election.
Still no connection - no matter how 'subtle' you believe it is.
I was under the impression that Delay left because he was under investigation. I could even have sworn he said so himself. I'll look it up to be sure.
AA thought his comment too subtle
In offering up a rebuttal
He confused voluntary
With judiciary
Departure, and his head with his butth*le
With Abramoff Tommy made haste
His power now laid to waste
Crime he said no way
I was just caught in the fray
A shameful end for Tommy DeLay
Classic! Great one HBL!
So, were they both indicted? Uhhh Nope.
So, both of their careers in politics are COMPLETELY OVER? Uhh NOPE there too.
Sooooo, the cops have MUG SHOTS of both of these guys? Hmmm, NO.
Wait, Wait Wait. Uh Both of them have a shot at being President of the United States of America!!!
NNNNOTTT!
I was going to say that the connection is that they're both human beings, but then I remembered we were talking about the bug killer.
Yep... Obviously, there's a difference b/w 'retired' and forced out. DeLay did not go willingly.
And the similarity between choosing not to run for re-election at all and the decision to suddenly leave the race after winning the primary is...?
Well, NIXON voluntarily opted to step down as well. He retired, and it must be noted, there was NEVER any indictment or conviction levelled against Nixon. Legally, ol' Tricky Dick is pure as the driven snow.
THIS is how Republicans make sure reputations remain unsullied, unblemished by embarrassing legal procedings. Right, Cap Wienberger?
Except Gonzo.
ANOTHERAMERICAN: sorry, your parellel doesn't work ~ J Edwards served his full term, was not pressured to resign because of a pending indictment AND he was not majority leader of the house.
As to the article, thanks for pointing out this continually ignored fact: Delay resigned after indictment ~ didn't retire and no amount of spin by DeLay or his supporters will change that.
Unfortunately the network talking head invite Delay on various news shows to pontificate on his view of the world, presidential candidates, Libby's sentence and sundry other important matters. Why they think American's would care what this indicted and convicted, self righteous man thinks is beyond my comprehension.
A few evenings ago, Chris M on Hardball had him on and the discussion was unbelievable ~ particularly DeLays opinion on the Libby trial and sentence. It was no surprise that he believes the trial was scandalous and that the sentence MUST be pardoned by President Bush. It was a surprise that Matthews asked him the question and didn't clarify that DeLay himself is facing prison.
Delay himself keeps up the lie that he retired. But, I guess we should be reassured that, as he said on Hardball: "God has a job for me to do" unfortunately he didn't add that the plan included doing time!.
Thank you - Another American should read your comment. Perhaps understand some of the not-so-subtle distinction b/w the two.
You could have saved yourself the trouble. I understand the differing circumstances that lead both to leave Congress.
My point is that they both felt they would not win re-election.
No trouble at all ~and even with your clarification, it is clear that you miss the main point of the article and my post. Things are often not as clear as they seem particularly at first glance!
So I guess I have to respond that, to me, your point is not really consequential or relavant to the underfying concern. Its like saying that Paris Hilton's being sprung from jail is like a person who repeatedly fails to pay parking tickets being sprung after 3 days. Doesn't work except on the most elementary level.
Ces,
I agree. Most of the time I have to keep it at that level so that others can understand it. ;-)
Nah, that's YOUR level. Don't project your inadequacies unto others.
Don't be ridiculous, JJ. We can't expect it to take the time to dumb down its completely flawed comparisons so they're understandable to mere Earthlings. ;0D
And your proof that that was the case... for either?
"My point is that they both felt they would not win re-election." --AA
So your point is your speculation apparently used as a fact? Do you know the difference or can you actually read minds? If so, which finger am I holding up right now?
; )
I thought it was going to be a Ben Smith article.
Just like Rumsfeld retired.
Tom Delay's political PAC
Had a very familial tac
His wife and his daughter
Made a killing, a slaughter
Of a half million U.S. green backs
"Made a killing"? You mean kninda like this?
http://www.cnsnews.com/ViewPolitics.asp?Page=/Politics/archive/200705/POL20070508a.html
Nothing is going to happen with that. Feinstein did not affect who was awarded the contract. Old news.
TRMPAC is under investigation in Texas by D.A. Ronnie Earle for using corporate money to finance elections, illegal in Texas:
Corporate money to finance elections
Was the reason for Tom Boy's ejection
Of campaign finance laws
Broken by the scofflaw
Laundering money was Ron Earle's selection
Tom Delay resigned from congress with ten months left in his term after being indicted, leaving his constituents without representation. He then took the $2.5M donated to him for his reelection and turned it into his personal legal fund.
He then declares himself a resident of Virginia in order to disqualify himself from the general election in Texas. Thankfully, the courts disagreed, and his name stayed on the ballot.
Lastly, he publishes a book called "No Retreat, No Surrender." Thanks, Tom. I had a good belly laugh when I heard the title for the first time.
I wonder if Tom Delay paid Virginia income tax after he declared himself a resident of Virginia? The Virginia tax code does allow an exemption for members of congress, but he had resigned at that point. Anyone know how to check to see if an individual has filed the proper income tax records with Virginia?
Many overseas trips did Tom take
Paid by lobbyists, agents and rakes
Of the usual sort
That Delay did consort
Making House ethics rules moot or fake
Tom Delay is a particular favorite of mine. Can't help it.
The girl can't help it. Nice ones.
Last time I said "nice ones" to a girl, I got slapped...
That was a good one ,Neondesert. I won't slap either of you sweeties.
Besides, did you see the way she's flauntin' those bodacious Limericks around? She was askin' for it.
Hey, leave my 32 b limericks out of this.
On ETHICS, ol' Tom was real keen,
So when probes into HIS past were seen,
His POWER he proved
When he had them removed
and replaced from his loyal machine.
When Tom Delay appears on tv shows to give his talking points do the host roll the drums with this introduction.
Ladies and Gentleman coming up next is Tom Delay charged for money laudering and conspiracy to tell you how to run a country. Lets give a "for he's a jolly good fellow" to Mr Stained Hands.
The Politico has a comments section at the end of their articles. Why is no-one participating?
True. When asked by a reporter, "Have you ever crossed the line of ethical behavior in terms of dealing with lobbyists, your use of government authority, or with fund raising?" Delay asnswered, "Ever" is a very strong word".
Of course we also all remember Richard Nixon's retirement, Duke Cunningham's retirement, Ken Lay's, Jack Abramoff's, and Scooter Libby's retirements. ;)
Yeah, kinda like dems such as Jefforson, Barney Frank, Rhode Islands' Kennedy, Clinton (bill), "Chapaquitic" Ted Kennedy, Marion Barry you remeber when those guys retired? Oh wait, only conservatives must resign when scandal rears it's head libs just ride it out.
SS
Boy, now thats really showing those damn liberal posters whats what! LOL
Well, it is the truth. Unfortunately corruption is deep on both sides of the aisle. No one group (lib or con) can really claim to be the "ethical" group. It's actually pretty sad.
To that I will say
Publicly financed campaigns will take the money and the quid pro quo out of politics. Plus we might just get a good candidate who is from the common folk and not a gazillionaire.
I wish that wasn't true, but you are right. Usually the party in power is the biggest abuser.
When asked of his courage and nerve
Tom DeLay said he WANTED to serve
But the "slots were all filled"
OTHER men would be killed.
For the "coloreds" the war was RESERVED.
A paean to a fellow Texan (I'm guessing by the name). Even though I grew up a Yankee from PA, I got here as soon as I could - as the saying goes.
Our Tex is in limerick mode
He has gone down the Tom Delay road
With two poems oh so relevant
Re: the party of elephants
And the bad ethics line that they towed