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September 28, 2005
DeLay Indicted
Yawn.
I've never been a big fan of Tom DeLay. While he does a fine job of whipping the Democrats into an angry froth, under his leadership Republicans in Congress are spending more money than ever. His recent comments suggesting the budget was pared down as much as possible were foolish and put yet another dent into the image of Republicans as fiscally disciplined.
That having been said, I don't think much will come of this indictment. The Texas DA has made some rather boneheaded moves during this process, such as giving partisan fundraising speeches about the case, that will give DeLay's lawyers plenty of ammunition to use in the inevitable motions to dismiss the charges against him.
I think John Podhoretz is right in saying this will give DeLay critics much to be happy about and could possibly, along with Frist's stock issues, could lead to a compelling 'throw the bums out' message for Democrats in 2006.
Wouldn't be the first time a political party has suffered for the sins of its leaders.
Posted by slublog at September 28, 2005 01:05 PM
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Comments
Boy, he isn't photogenic, is he? I hadn't seen a picture of him before, today he looks like a cadaver.
Posted by: MainiacJoe at September 28, 2005 03:53 PM
An angry cadaver.
Posted by: Slublog at September 28, 2005 04:46 PM
bye, bye, bugman.
Fox's Napolitano accused DA prosecuting DeLay of political motivations, ignored his prosecution record
http://mediamatters.org/items/200509280011
Fox News senior judicial analyst Andrew Napolitano accused Travis County District Attorney Ronnie Earle, a Democrat, of being "openly and notoriously political," repeating his suggestion that Earle's prosecution of former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-TX) on conspiracy charges is politically motivated. But in making the accusation, Napolitano once again ignored Earle's record, which includes the prosecution of significantly more Democratic officials than Republicans, as Media Matters for America has previously noted.
On May 15, the Los Angeles Times Magazine reported: "Over the years his (Earle's) Public Integrity Unit has prosecuted 15 elected officials, including 12 Democrats." Media Matters has previously documented other allegations of partisanship directed at Earle by Fox News personalities -- including Napolitano, who claimed on the November 16, 2004, edition of The Big Story with John Gibson that Earle is "a sort of renegade prosecutor in Texas" and that "there is a basis" for calling Earle a "political crackpot" -- without noting Earle's record of prosecuting more Democrats than Republicans. Napolitano also described Earle as "a little bit of a nut" during the 2 p.m. ET hour of Fox News Live. From the 12 p.m. ET hour of the September 28 edition of Fox News Live:
BILL HEMMER (anchor): Back here with the judge in New York City. The DA in Travis County, a Democrat by the name of Ronnie Earle, DeLay is on record as saying essentially he thinks he's pursuing this case for political reasons. What do you know about this DA, judge?
NAPOLITANO: There's a couple of things I can tell you. One is, the DA is openly and notoriously political. Most DAs, though they run for office, sort of take a step back from the rough and tumble of Republican versus Democrat politics once in office. This DA has not. He stayed very active in the Democratic party and, unusual in Texas, in the liberal wing of the Democratic party.
Yes Slu, the Dem strat in 2006 will be corruption in the repub party. Bugman, frist, but keep your eyes on the abramoff investigation - that is the real red meat.
Bill
Posted by: Bill at September 29, 2005 10:38 AM
Is it just me or should the GOP just concede the '08 election, put up some toady they owe favors a la Dole & Kerry, and save Giuliani (sp) for '12? Eight years of one-party rule is too long, not to mention the blemishes become harder to hide. Give the Dems four years to tick off the country (especially if Hillary gets elected) and they'll have a better chance.
Posted by: MainiacJoe at September 29, 2005 12:47 PM