Despite criticism, DeLay undaunted

Dec. 19, 2004, 1:06AM

Despite criticism, DeLay undaunted
Personal skills and powerful allies help keep him at top of House
By GEBE MARTINEZ
Copyright 2004 Houston Chronicle Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON - There was a day last month, as Congress wrapped up its work for the year, when House Majority Leader Tom DeLay showed what it is about him that infuriates his political opponents — and also leaves them in awe.

During a news conference that morning, DeLay, R-Sugar Land, managed to turn the scrutiny of an ethics investigation away from himself and toward his Democratic accuser, Rep. Chris Bell of Houston.

Ignoring his three recent admonishments by the House ethics committee regarding potential abuse of power, partly based on Bell's complaint, a defiant DeLay instead pointed to the panel's finding that Bell broke House rules by exaggerating some claims.DeLay proclaimed himself exonerated and the victim of an attempt at political revenge. House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi of California called him "delusional."
(snip)

Next year, when the House votes on a national retail tax, a balanced budget amendment and other pet projects of House Republicans, DeLay will get the credit, said Rep. John Culberson, R-Houston.

"He's going to stay majority leader as long as he wants to be majority leader."
(snip/...)

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/front/2953276
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He has none. Talk about a criminal personality.

go to prison for the exact same thing?

Left of Cool

Please?

Why does this sack of shite keep getting elected anyway? Someone please explain this. I don't get it.

he changes all the rules for districting, and uses fraud to make up the difference.

I'll be rooting for the bugs to be victorious.

when the citizens elect an arch-scumbag like DeLay to public office. The evil smirk on his face says it all.

http://www.freep.com/news/mich/ethics1e_20041001.htm

This incident involved last year's vote on Bush's Medicare prescription drug scam.

Not even being able to convince the members of their own caucaus to drink the kool aid, and vote for the bill, the Republican House leaders had to resort to arm-twisting, bribery, and even extortion. The bribery and extortion occurred when DeLay, and Rep. Candice S. "Sundance" Miller of Michigan, tried to convince Rep. Nick Smith, also of Michigan, to vote for the flawed legislation.
DeLay and Miller first offered Smith a $100,000 bribe, in the form of a campaign contribution to Smith's son's Congressional campaign. (Smith Jr. was running in the Republican Primary for the nomination to replace his father, who was retiring)
When Rep. Smith refused the bribe offer, Rep. Miller apparently resorted to extortion right on the floor of the U.S. House, when she threatened to maneuver party support behind one of the opponents of Smith Jr., if Smith didn't change his mind and vote FOR the bill.
Rep. Smith retained his spine and voted his conscience. The bill passed in spite of his "no" vote.
Sundance and DeLay retaliated by directing the support of the party apparatus to Smith Jr's opponent, thereby costing him the primary election.

http://www.schwarzforcongress.com/readarticle.asp?id=1013

Rep. Joe Schwartz was the one who benefitted most from DeLay and Millers actions. He will take over Smith's seat in Congress in January.

When the House Ethics Committee finally acted on the issues and issued their admonishment of DeLay and Miller, they also tossed Smith's name onto the heap and admonished him for "exaggerating" the circumstances of the bribery and extortion events.

They've given Smith the exact same punishment they gave their leader, and one of his hench-(wo)men. They committed bribery and extortion, he told the press. Unbelievable!

DeLay and Miller seem poised to carry on the Gingrich tradition of sleazey Republican leadership.