Posted on 05/20/2005 8:54:12 AM PDT by bgsugar
Self-inflicted wound District attorney's poor judgment in speaking at a Democratic fund-raiser provides an unintended boost for DeLay's defenders.
Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle
Travis County District Attorney Ronnie Earle has spent the past year investigating corporate funds collected by political action committees connected to U.S. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay. So far, a grand jury has indicted three of the Sugar Land representative's associates for violating Texas election laws.
Republicans have accused the veteran prosecutor, a Democrat, of conducting a partisan witch hunt. Earle's attendance and remarks attacking DeLay at a Democratic fund-raiser last week in Dallas damaged the credibility of his investigation with a stunning display of prosecutorial impropriety.
Earle was the speaker at a May 12 event sponsored by the newly created Texas Values in Action Coalition, a Democratic political action committee with the stated goal of winning back control of the Texas Legislature. The affair raised more than $100,000, and organizers credited Earle's presence with boosting attendance.
In his speech, the prosecutor talked about the corporate contribution case and took a swipe at DeLay. "This case is not just about Tom DeLay," Earle told the crowd. "If it isn't this Tom DeLay, it'll be another one, just like one bully replaces the one before."
Contacted after the event by the Chronicle's Michael Hedges, Earle didn't back off his comments. He provided a transcript of the speech, and said he would make the same statements again to any group that was interested in honest government.
Houston defense attorney Rusty Hardin represents Warren RoBold, a Republican fund-raiser indicted in the Travis County investigation. Hardin, a former Harris County prosecutor, finds it "incomprehensible" that Earle would go to a political event and discuss matters under investigation by his office. "I'm dumbfounded that he would give the DeLay people that kind of fodder."
Hardin doesn't believe that Earle's investigation is motivated by a bias against Republicans. Instead, he contends that the Austin-area district attorney goes after targets for behavior he finds objectionable, whether or not an actual violation of law occurred.
According to Hardin, he told Earle in a courtroom conversation that "you have a history of indicting people whose conduct you don't approve of and you want to stop. You leave it to your assistants to worry whether there's a criminal case involved."
Earle is an elected Democrat, so his attending a party fund-raiser is legal. However, it is inappropriate for a prosecutor to discuss a case under investigation in a political setting, or to single out a potential target of that probe for criticism.
The fact that Earle refuses to recognize his blunder and would do it again calls into question whether he has the necessary impartiality and judgment to conduct the investigation that to a great extent will determine whether Texas election campaigns will be financed and perhaps determined by corporations or by individuals.
HoustonChronicle.com -- http://www.HoustonChronicle.com
I'm glad Delay decided to fight the Dem's on this; he's a great man.
He's not about justice. Ronnie Earle is about intimidation.
Ok, that's it. He!! has frozen over.
Earle was so blatantly political to begin with, anyone who thinks this reduces his credibility has got to be on the left.
Their solution will be to have the DA dismiss himself and to replace him with another partisan hack.
Ronnie Earle is a jackass and should be dis-barred.
Agree!!!
This should be brought forward to whatever serves as a lawyer's ethics commission in Texas. Sauce for the goose, Earle! Two can play your game. Play ball!
>>>>"This case is not just about Tom DeLay," Earle told the crowd. "If it isn't this Tom DeLay, it'll be another one, just like one bully replaces the one before." <<<<<
This case isnt about Tom Delay, its about any Republican I can attack.
I'm not sure how things work in Texas, but out here in the hinterland, a wandering DA investigating in a different county would be made to go lay by his dish.
"If it isn't this Tom DeLay, it'll be another one, just like one bully replaces the one before."
Now, if Earle placed his foot in his mouth the irony would be complete.
How dumb is this guy? Go, DeLay!!
I guess they realize that Ronnie Earle betrayed their mission by making this partisan speech, and they're angry that it undercut their goal.
I just heard a 3pm newsbreak at the top of the hour.
It mentioned how the Republicans wanted him to step aside for making comments. It was not said that he made them at a fundraiser for Democrats. This on 950am KPRC the supposed "conservative talk radio" station. What a joke (they get 740am KTRH for news as well as Fox and still some CBS).
My take is that Houston Chronicle will play up this criticism of Earle as proof that they're fair and balanced while they continue their campaign against DeLay.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.