Parties at odds over DeLay probe

Baltimore Sun ^ | April 21, 2005 | Gwyneth K. Shaw

[Cincinatus' Wife]

WASHINGTON - The Republican chairman of the House ethics committee pledged yesterday to open an investigation of Republican Leader Tom DeLay - if Democrats agree to end a stalemate over rules changes they say circumvent the policing of lawmakers. Democrats immediately rejected the offer, portraying the move as a tactic aimed at easing the pressure on DeLay, who is under fire over questions about his travel, fund raising and relationships with lobbyists.

Rep. Doc Hastings of Washington state, chairman of the ethics panel - the only committee in the House split evenly between Republicans and Democrats - called the offer of an investigation "an unusual and extraordinary step."

"This should remove any doubt about the true intent of the rules changes," said Hastings, who was appointed to his post this year.

But Rep. Alan B. Mollohan, top Democrat on the ethics panel, said he could not accept the deal Hastings offered because it doesn't solve the larger problem. Mollohan and fellow Democratic committee members have refused to let the committee do business because they object, among other things, to Republican-imposed rule changes that require a majority vote to open an investigation and impose a limit on the time an investigation can last.

......DeLay "has said over and over, in communications and publicly, that he has done nothing wrong, and he wanted to have an opportunity to state his case," Hastings said yesterday after proposing the ethics investigation. "This is a means by which he can state his case. Very simple."

In a statement, DeLay said he welcomed the opportunity to make his case before the committee

[Cincinatus' Wife]

If anyone has doubts that this attack on Tom DeLay isn't politically motivated, please explain.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Congressman Tom DeLay

Majority Leader Office
H-107 The Capitol
Washington, DC 20515
p. (202)225-4000
f. (202)225-5117

Congressional Office
242 Cannon HOB
Washington, DC 20515
p. (202)225-5951
f. (202)225-5241

District Office
10701 Corporate Drive ,Suite 118
Stafford, TX 77477
p. (281)240-3700
f. (281)240-2959

[dsc]

How about a rule that a frivolous ethics accusation results in the expulsion of the democra...ah, I mean the scumb...that is, the honorable member who filed it?

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Yes. Frivolous is right!

That's why the need for a majority vote and a time cut off (I believe it's 45 days) if no action is taken.

[sgtbono2002]

The Democrats havnt got a case and they know it. They are using the politics of personal destruction on Delay and they know if they go to trial it will come back and bite them.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

And the msm is pushing their agenda.

[patj]

Democrats immediately rejected the offer, portraying the move as a tactic aimed at easing the pressure on DeLay,

Do you think the pressure will be eased by the investigation that finds that he did nothing wrong? Those poor dems, they just can't have the truth come out. How would that look?

[Cincinatus' Wife]

They just want to keep hearing him deny it.

It's a big political hammer with the msm being so willingly complicit.

[patj]

It's enough to make you sick and disgusted.

[Arrowhead1952]

The ONLY reason the dumbos don't want to open an investigation of DeLay, is they have too many skeletons in their own closet. They would open a Pandora's box on their own party if this goes forward. They are just plain scared.

[HankReardon]

Am I correct in my understanding that Delays questionable traveling was paid by non-governmental, private funds?

[Cincinatus' Wife]

I believe that is the case.

[HankReardon]

They are doing they same thing they did to Newt Gingrich. Some, while not even knowing the facts, when hearing Tom Delay's name will immediately think scoundrel after all this noise. What are Gingrich's chances now in '08?

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Yes. They want to give him negative name recognition.

The Houston Chronicle has been doing it for years but his constituents still send him back to Washington.

[bgsugar]

There has never been legitimate merit to the attacks on DeLay.

The media and Dem's are trying to manufacture issues out of activity that is common in both parties in Congress. The Houston "Comical" is now bringing up the fact that "someone" "associated with DeLay" used a "SKYBOX" at a concert several years ago at an event and it "may" have not been properly reported. Noone even remembers or has records on the deal.

BUT, Berger stealing top secret docs, Hillary underreporting $400,000 in campaign donations, Ried practicing nepotism NEVER get covered.

Houston and other cities NEED objective newspapers. This media hype on DeLay and the "Rathergate" debacle clearly show that the public can't trust the media in general to give accurate or balanced information.

[floriduh voter]

Special ACTION Alert:

CAPITAL SWITCHBOARD TOLL FREE: 1-866-808-0065 (last wk).

You are encouraged to call your Senator today. Please ask them to back the "Constitutional Option." The Capitol switchboard number is (202) 224-3121.

The Constitutional Option is a simple procedure designed to stop the obstruction of President Bush's judicial nominees and allow them to finally get up-or-down votes by the full Senate.

Stand with us as we Confront the Judicial War on Faith.

http://www.StopActivistJudges.org

FV SAYS: This advocacy group has many coalitions within it. They are really fit to be tied re: what the judicial system did to Terri. In addition, they are FED UP WITH THE NOMINEE FILIBUSTERING BY THE DEMS. YOu can sign up for their newsletter. They are new and need joiners.