WP: Analysts Consider DeLay's Rebukes

[kskiska]

Third Strike Could Weaken Lawmaker

With House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-Tex.) now involved directly or tangentially in a handful of ethics cases and investigations, some analysts say that another setback could substantially weaken the lawmaker's ability to champion Republican causes and candidates.

DeLay's bare-knuckle tactics have sparked controversy and Democratic ire for years, but Thursday's 62-page House ethics committee report highlighted DeLay's questionable arm-twisting of GOP members when crucial votes are at stake. The panel admonished him for offering a political favor in exchange for Rep. Nick Smith's support of a major Medicare prescription drug bill late last year. The Michigan Republican was moved nearly to tears, but DeLay told investigators he made a quick exit so he would not get "stuck" talking with the loquacious and unpredictable lawmaker on the House floor.

The report's conclusion marked the second time in five years that the ethics committee has chastised DeLay. A third setback, which conceivably could come from a pending complaint, would fuel critics' claims that DeLay has crossed an ethical threshold, several analysts said yesterday.

(snip)

"A lot of members on Capitol Hill believe in the concept of 'three strikes, you're out,' " said Fred Wertheimer, a longtime advocate of public ethics and president of Democracy 21. "And Mr. DeLay has two strikes and a third case pending."

Norman Ornstein of the American Enterprise Institute, who often writes about congressional ethics, said, "I think the drip, drip, drip may create a problem for him now."

more…
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A1572-2004Oct1.html

[aquart]

1. Aww, nothing like that "drip, drip, drip."

It's good for what ails America.

[Eye and Monkey]

2. three strikes? why wait.

It's not as if his ethics are in question - he hasn't any.

[beanball]

3. Tom just another turd

from texas.WAKE UP AMERICA,THOSE TEXAS TRAMPS ARE PUTTING ALL OF US IN HARMS WAY.

[acmavm]

4. I would have thought his phony charity scam would have gotten him

thrown out on his ass before now. Basically, he gets people to donate money for poor children to be able to attend a camp or something, then uses almost all of the money to pay for his corrupt schemes.

That is fraud in my book.

[Rose Siding]

5. They are going to re-write 200 year old rules to protect this crook

New House rules will prevent admin reps from being on the floor during debates- Just one more example of attack-Australia-if-NK-hits- think.