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This morning, Representative Tom Delay was indicted in an alleged conspiracy to funnel soft money into Texas state legislature races. While the charge may be without merit and politically motivated, the initial damage was done. Almost immediately, Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert announced that David Dreier, a socially moderate amnesty supporting California Congressman, would be Delay'’s temporary successor. Since Delay and others knew of the pending indictment, it is clear that the House leadership and White House anointed the smooth-talking Drier. The House Republican Conference was supposed to accept the nomination. However, members voiced their dissent at the conference...

House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.), who has been publicly vague about whether he will give up the reins at the end of this Congress, told a group of supporters last week that he plans to run again and serve as speaker for the rest of President Bush's second term. Republican officials said they are relieved by the development because it postpones what is likely to be a brutal succession fight that would be a distraction from next year's midterm elections, which are historically tough for the party in power, and from Bush's domestic agenda, which is already having a...

Saturday, the president, Dick Cheney, Colin Powell, Donald Rumsfeld and Condi Rice met with Pakistan's President Musharraf at the White House. Bush said, "We discussed international politics. I assured President Musharraf that there is an opportunity at hand to work toward the development of a Palestinian state and peace in the Middle East." He gave his radio address, saying, "We must do everything necessary to confront and defeat the terrorist threat, and that includes intelligence reform. By remaining focused and determined in these efforts, we will strengthen the safety of our citizens and defend our nation from harm." Vice President...