DeLay Scandal Will Affect Only DeLay, Texans Say

[0007]

By JOHN M. BRODER
Published: October 2, 2005

When Representative Tom DeLay helped engineer the Republican takeover of the Texas Legislature in 2002, it was a broad victory for his party. It paved the way for a redistricting process that resulted in Texas sending five new Republican members to Congress two years later, consolidating the party's control in the House.

snip.....

Another prominent Texas politician, state House Speaker Tom Craddick, a longtime ally of Mr. DeLay, was not charged. Mr. Craddick raised money from many of the same business interests to secure Republican control of the Legislature.

"That sort of limited the impact in Texas politics to the environmental," said Calvin C. Jillson, a professor of political science at Southern Methodist University in Dallas. "It affects the way people think about the Republicans' practice of politics in Texas. If the speaker or sitting members had been indicted, that would have produced a much stronger backlash against Republicans."

more.......http://www.nytimes.com/2005/10/02/politics/02delay.html?oref=login

I'm indeed disappointed that they didn't go after Tom Craddick.

[Debi]

1. Then why are republicans giving money back to his PAC?

TOM DELAY UPDATE #2: To date, two House members -- Jeb Bradley (R-NH) and Heather Wilson (R-NM) -- announced they are returning contributions received in the past from DeLay's PAC. Congressman Kenny Hulshof (R-MO) said he would donate all of the $14,500 he received from DeLay's PAC to the Bush-Clinton hurricane relief group. "It’s time to sever any and all ties with the gentleman from Texas," explained Hulshof to the Columbia Daily Tribune, who added Sunday he does not want DeLay returning to the leadership regardless of the outcome of the charges. <snip>

http://www.politics1.com/

[0007]

2. Please read the article and it will answer your question.

Now, however, as Mr. DeLay faces a criminal conspiracy charge that he used a political action committee to funnel contributions illegally to Texas candidates in that pivotal election of 2002, he may stand as the lone Republican in his home state to suffer any political fallout, analysts said.

Gov. Rick Perry, who began his career as a Democrat and then switched parties in the 1990's, is unlikely to be affected by Mr. DeLay's troubles because the two are not close, Texas political experts said. Mr. DeLay is not expected to become an issue in an expected primary fight between Mr. Perry and Carole Keeton Strayhorn, the state comptroller.

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/10/02/politics/02delay.html...

[Debi]

3. My apologies - not registered w/the NYT and too lazy to do so. n/t

[meg]

4. I'm a Texan and I disagree with the NYer

People in Texas are still upset that the legislative session before last dealt with special sessions on redistricting while school funding was ignored. This legislative session, school funding was addressed during special session again, but not solved.

Texas is under a court ruling to fix school funding problems.

People are upset that the REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP - Craddick, Dewhurst and Perry could not get it together.

[crispini]

5. I agree.

I read the article, and I think the title's a bit misleading. It's correct in stating that it won't affect the governor's race -- it won't -- nor will it affect Craddict -- but subsequent quotes in the article are only from Republican political analysts. I think it might very well have an affect on the statehouse.

My state representative accepted money from DeLay's TRMPAC and his Democratic opponent is going to beat him with that stick until he squeals.

[sonias]

6. Let's review the dirty money

From CleanUpTexasPolitics.com here is the recap of who got the laundered but still illegal "dirty" money:

On September 20, 2002, TRMPAC sent $190,000 in corporate money to RNSEC in Washington, D.C. Two weeks later, on October 4, RNSEC sent 7 checks totaling $190,000 to 7 state house candidates supported by TRMPAC. These candidates were:
Todd Baxter ($35,000)
Larry Taylor ($20,000)
Dwayne Bohac ($20,000)
Glenda Dawson ($40,000)
Rick Green ($20,000)(lost to Patrick Rose)
Jack Stick ($35,000) (lost to Mark Strama)
Dan Flynn ($20,000)

These people know the money is illegal, and they should give it to charity. All of them should be shown out the House door.

Sonia

[0007]

7. I'm still betting that Tom Craddick will go down. He was very important

to DeLay, and was appointed speaker of the House through him. He knows alot of how the dirty money was directed.

[WestHoustonDem]

8. I'm with you. Craddick will fall. n/t

[boot@9]

11. Craddick personally delivered

some of the checks and the others were sent through his office. Make no mistake Craddick is knee deep in this mess. By the way there are rumors that Charlie Geren(R-Ft. Worth) may challenge Craddick for the speaker's spot.

[GOPisEvil]

9. Yes, but Todd Baxter (R-48th House District) was indicted along with

Hot Tub Tom. So, I think the indictment will affect him too.

[0007]

10. 0h for sure!

[bonzotex]

12. Todd Baxter will have a strong Dem challenger too

Met three Dem candidates tonight for Baxter's seat. Any one would be a strong challenger. He's toast