More bad news for Boss DeLay: Once again, a Texas court has refused to dismiss money-laundering charges against him. Meanwhile, Speaker Dennis Hastert taps David Dreier to pen new lobbying rules for the House (ignoring the fact that Dems, with the aid of Republican Chris Shays, composed stricter lobbying legislation months ago.) And GOP insiders (and, basically, DeLay flunkies) Roy Blunt and John Boehner scramble to take DeLay’s place as majority leader, despite both being tainted by Abramoff contributions. Two days after the Hammer’s fall, and it’s already becoming clear: The only real way to cleanse Congress of this current wave of corruption is the ballot box, come November.
Tag: Texas
(Chief) Justice De-Layed?
Ten days after the Post unearthed a Justice Department memo deeming the recent Texas redistricting a violation of civil liberties, the Supreme Court says it will review the DeLay plan. “The panel stressed that it was deciding ‘only the legality’ of the redistricting plan, ‘not its wisdom.'”
Hammered Again.
In a blow to the Hammer’s hopes of regaining his seat of power in the near future, the judge in Boss DeLay’s Texas trial offers up a split decision, dismissing a conspiracy charge against DeLay (the law apparently wasn’t on the books when he broke it) while upholding the “far more serious allegations of money-laundering.” Update: As a result of the judge’s decision, DeLay’s GOP opponents start to balk under his regime.
A self-inflicted Hammer wound.
Well, so much for the Blame the Dems defense. As it turns out, Boss DeLay not only considered a misdemeanor plea deal to evade his money laundering indictment, he also seems to have incriminated himself. “DeLay acknowledged that in 2002 he was informed about and expressed his support for transfers of $190,000 in mostly corporate funds from his Texas political action committee to an arm of the Republican National Committee in Washington and then back to Texas.” Whoops.
Evading Rita.
Oh no. Here we go again. Rita’s officially a monster — the third strongest hurricane in recorded history. And, this time, it looks like Galveston — a town that knows a thing or two about deadly hurricanes — is on the brunt end. Let’s get it together this time, y’all.
Rove, Raffy, and the Right.
“‘He’s a friend,’ the president said…’He’s testified in public, and I believe him.’” In a roundtable with Texas journalists, Dubya backs Karl Rove and Rafael Palmeiro, as well as (somewhat half-heartedly) the teaching of “intelligent design.” A bit of a gullible sort, ain’t he?
Ceverha of DeLay Hall.
It may not get the press of the Michael Jackson case; nevertheless, the trial of Bill Ceverha, treasurer of Boss DeLay’s Texans for a Republican Majority (TRMPAC), began yesterday. So far, like a good little Pentangeli, Ceverha and his attorneys are distancing themselves from the Hammer…but we’ll see what shakes out.
Reclaiming Texas.
In “something of a surprise,” the Supreme Court authorizes a three-judge district court to review its earlier decision upholding Tom DeLay’s partisan gerrymandering of Texas. It’s too late for 2004, but perhaps this will bear fruit before 2006, as the Hammer’s other shady dealings come to light.
Texas Two-Step.
“What has emerged is the outline of an effort to use corporate contributions to control representative democracy in Texas.” You think? Three members of the DeLay machine are indicted for illegal fundraising, and the Exterminator is — naturally — blaming it all on the Democrats. “‘This is 41 days before the election. You do the political math,’ DeLay said. ‘People see this for what it is.'” Well, I see it as the first step in you going down, sucka. Update: The GOP circle the wagons.
Time to build a research lab.
In true Civ 3 fashion, USA Today ranks the most and least literate US cities. “Yuppie magnets” Minneapolis, Seattle, and Pittsburgh are at the top of the list, with Texas and California rounding out most of the bottom slots…score one for the South.