Prosecutor Blasts GOP for Shielding DeLay

[Khephra]

NEW YORK - A Texas prosecutor who is leading an investigation into possible illegal campaign spending lashed out at congressional Republicans on Tuesday for changing their rules in order to protect House Majority Leader Tom DeLay.

The House Republicans repealed a rule that automatically required party leaders or committee chairmen to step down if they are indicted on a felony charge. The new rule provides for a case-by-case review.

The change means DeLay could maintain his power if indicted in the investigation being conducted by Travis County District Attorney Ronnie Earle.

"Politicians in Congress are responsible for the leaders they choose. Their choices reflect their moral values," Earle wrote in an opinion piece published Tuesday in The New York Times. "The cynical destruction of moral values at the top makes it hard for law enforcement to do its job."

http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/world/10255206.htm

[24HRrnr]

1. Just file the damned charges! Get on with it already!

[NMDemDist2]

2. LOL agreed

on edit, you can't blame the guy for wanting to build as air tight a case as he can. DeLay is a powerful guy and you need all your ducks in a row to take him on....

[knowbody0]

3. no doubt

talk talk talk.STFU already

[Straight Shooter]

5. It's not that simple. Earle is a pebble fighting a mountain.

Give him a break, he's doing the best he can under the circumstances.

That nasty piece of "income tax peek-a-boo" inserted by the Oklahoma senator was probably at the instigation of DeLay, and word is it was aimed square at Ronnie Earle. This is the bill that was argued on Saturday and passed, much to our dismay.

Earle is in the crosshairs of the GOP. One false step, he's down for the count forever. He isn't just taking on DeLay; by implication, he's taking on the GOP and bush.

edit spelling

[MGKrebs]

8. I think this was a false step.

How could whether or not Delay is in the leadership position make it harder for law enforcement to do their job? That was just an internal Repub party rule.

This will be more ammo for those who say this is a witch hunt.

[ElectroPrincess]

10. No he's doing *exactly* right ... the gutless wonders we know

as the Democratic Representatives should be "outraged" yes OUTRAGED! that the GOP lowered their standards!!! Pelosi et. al. was a good start, but they/we must keep the pressure on so this whorish media doesn't totally refocus on Scott Peterson's sentencing procedures.

That's how the right wing slowly but surely became the noise machine it is today. We need to be the chorus for the Texas Prosecutor.

[Ilsa]

13. Is this the one where Congresscritters can look at the returns of

anyone they want to and even make them public? What a slimy doggie.

[Stinky The Clown]

14. Yup ... and they'll use it immeduiately and then repeal it

Nice work, you bug man!

[Javaman]

12. Wait till after the holidays...

If they are filed now, they will get buried.

[noclonyofthechimp]

16. THERE TRYING TO SAY HE IS ON A PARTISAN "WITCHHUNT" BUT

HE HAS PROSECUTED OR WENT AFTER DEMOCRATE GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS IN THE PAST AND I BELIEVE THE # IS BETWEEN 10-13 DIFFERENT CASES, SO THEY CANNOT USE THAT THEORY.

[Just Me]

4. PROOF of "anti-transparency" and "anti-accountability",...

,...by those who are preaching "morals" out of every orifice. Why aren't they willing to hold themselves to the standards they impose upon common folk? If they can't handle living by the rules they expect everyone else to live by,...they should NOT be placing themselves in leadership positions,...unless, of course, their entire agenda is all about them.

Boot the buggars!!!

[colonel odis]

6. it's a slimy rule made to protect one slimy m.f. but one is innocent

until proven guilty.

so set about proving him guilty and let him resign in shame.

[ElectroPrincess]

11. If you want to WIN against the republicans make Delay GUILTY

as sin NOW ... yes, he's guilty! Just like Clinton was raked over the coals. That's the way you get the media's attention, i.e., make noise - spread discontent.

[Zorra]

7. Um, republicans have the same moral values as Jeffrey Dahmer.

So there is no surprise here.

[loathesomeshrub]

19. Jeffrey Dahmer had an excuse - he was mentally disturbed. Ergo

they are worse.

[The Backlash Cometh]

9. He knows exactly what he's talking about.

You can't blame this one on Clinton. Clinton abided by the rules, he made a mistake and they threw the book at him. The Republicans change the rules so they don't have to face judgment nor punishment.

And believe me, every white male across America who is connected to the good ole boy network is taking notes.

[99Pancakes]

15. Slavery=Freedom

War=Peace Moral Values=what I say, when I say

We all know the Sha-bang, sha-bing, Sha-meel, Sha-mazle.......

[pa28]

17. "Moral values"

They say one thing and do another.

[Lefty48197]

18. He also has to worry about bribery & extortion charges

related to the attempted vote fixing scheme orchestrated by Tom DeLay and Candice Miller (R - Michigan).

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

[Blaze Diem]

20. FELON DELAY can serve as Public Servant, but Fla Felons can't vote???

This is really FFFF'ed up!!

Felons are kept from getting passorts, owning a weapon,voting (in some states), they CANNOT apply for many jobs requiring security clearance, and often are kept from most employment and housing applications, as well as a miriad of other "Can't Evers". The Patriot Act can hold them at airports, and it matters not what nor how long ago the crime occurred.
How do these people justify Delay making his living off the taxpayers and privy to Gov't areas that any other FELON would be hauled away in cuffs?

I will wait for the day when some convicted Felon challenges this in court. If Tom "felon" Delay can why can't Joe "felon" Shmo??? Your Honor explain that in your courtroom.
Yes, this may indeed make the judges and prosecutors job more difficult.

All Felons should be given the same rights as Tom "Felon" Delay.
I want to know Why Not???

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

21. Doesn't he know GOP stands for God's own party?

[brentspeak]

22. Very happy he used the term "moral values"

Back atcha! Repubs.