Tom DeLay Expects to be Indicted
By Byron LaMasters
I missed this on Friday, but the Houston Chronicle reported:
U.S. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay apparently is preparing for the possibility that a Travis County grand jury may indict him on charges of violating state campaign finance laws.
DeLay, R-Sugar Land, told a group of Houston supporters earlier this month he may need to raise more money for a legal defense fund.
[...]
DeLay and a committee he founded, Texans for a Republican Majority, are the subject of a grand jury investigation being led by Travis County District Attorney Ronnie Earle, a Democrat. The investigation focuses on whether TRM spent corporate money to influence the 2002 state House races in violation of Texas law.
[...]
DeLay and an aide in a March 8 private meeting at the Omni Houston Hotel talked to Houston supporters about the possible need to pay for a legal defense in connection with the grand jury investigation, according to two people who attended the meeting.
The meeting at the Omni was part of a regular event DeLay holds every three months for supporters called the "Congressional Quarterly Luncheon." The two people interviewed by the Chronicle spoke on condition of anonymity.
DeLay talked about the grand jury investigation only after being asked about it by one of the 40 to 50 people in attendance, sources told the Chronicle.
DeLay talked briefly about a legal defense and then had an unidentified aide discuss the possible need for raising money for a legal defense fund.
One of those interviewed quoted DeLay as saying, "I fully anticipate being indicted."
Off the Kuff has some more on the story for those of you inclined to find out more. If DeLay is indicted, there's a chance that CD 22 could emerge as a possible pick-up for Democrats. Sure, it's a long-shot, but stranger things have happened. Richard Morrison is the Democratic nominee in District 22 and you can check out his (infrequently updated) blog or make a contribution if you wish.
Posted by Byron LaMasters at March 29, 2004 12:53 PM
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First, I don't know what is going on behind closed grandy jury doors, but an indictment (and conviction) of DeLay would not bother me in the least.
But ...
1) Who is the evil face of the GOP? Speaker Hastert and Majority Leader Frist don't raise blood pressure like DeLay. I think the Democratic Party would be better off by having a punching bag in office to demonize (Gingrich anyone?).
2) That district will elect a Republican anyway, so why not keep the bad guy in there to self-implode instead of a good guy face like Senator Janek, Representative Bonnen or some other replacement.
Playing the political chess game may seem unseemly for some BORers, but sometimes you have to think long-term.
