Burnt Orange Report

Scandalous Republicans

By Byron LaMasters

Remember that Salon article about that female-sterilizing, Medicaid-defrauding [...] Tom Coburn character?

Well the national media has picked up the ball and run with it:

[The New York Times, AP, The Washington Post]

But more importantly, the local guys are paying attention, too:

[Channel Oklahoma, Tulsa World - subscription required to read article, but if you scroll down to "news" you'll see the headline]

And of course our friend Tom DeLay will not be investigated by the House Ethics Committee (where the Republicans on the committee are bought and paid for by Tom DeLay and his corporate buddies). Richard Morrison has the latest in today's press release:

In another show of the power of money in Washington, the House Ethics Committee resorted to an option that has never been used before that could, in effect, kill the ethics investigation into Tom DeLay’s illegal fundraising and his role in Texas redistricting. After nearly three months of reviewing the charges against DeLay, the Chair and Ranking Member of the House Ethics committee postponed today’s hearing and have decided to put before the committee the question of whether to proceed with the investigation. This unprecedented move could result in a deadlock among the ten member committee resulting in no further action in this Congress.

“I’m outraged that the Committee is giving DeLay a pass,” said Morrison. “Soliciting funds for legislative favors, funneling corporate contributions to state races and personally redrawing districts to ensure his power in Washington---these are serious charges and they merit investigation. But when four of the five Republicans on the committee have accepted thousands of dollars from DeLay how can they be trusted to judge him impartially? If DeLay is innocent of these violations he should demand the investigation proceed so his name can be cleared.”

Richard Morrison is on the air in Houston, but he needs to stay up. He's trying to raise $20,000 online for the ad, and he's almost halfway there - on day #2!! (thanks to Texas Tuesdays plug on Daily Kos in addition to all the regulars), but if you're in the mood, give 'till it hurts!

Reaction on today's decision by the House Ethics Committee around the blogs:

[Daily Kos, Off the Kuff, Taking on Tom DeLay, The Stateholder]

Update: Back to Tom Coburn, Matt in comments notes that after a little more research (than what I did), the Oklahoma media is being quite soft on Coburn's latest flap. Check out his research over on his blog entry on the issue.