Will the hammer fall?
Once more, an ethics storm is swirling around Tom DeLay, but he's hanging tough
DeLay's troubles didn't end there. Last year the House ethics committee rebuked him three times, once for inviting executives of several large electricity companies to a TRMPAC fundraiser just days before a conference committee he served on was going to discuss a new comprehensive energy bill. The panel noted that the bill "was of critical importance to the attendees" and that DeLay was "in a position to significantly influence" it. DeLay called the rebuke politically motivated.
Despite DeLay's assertion last week that he's ready to face new questions about his ethics, it's unlikely he will hear from the committee anytime soon. Following his knuckle-rapping by the committee last year, House Speaker Dennis Hastert replaced the three Republican members who voted to admonish DeLay. Two of the new Republicans on the panel, Lamar Smith of Texas and Tom Cole of Oklahoma, are DeLay backers who have contributed to his legal-defense fund. DeLay did not respond to U.S. News questions regarding the current and past allegations.
He may be tough on his enemies, but DeLay certainly has some loyal friends. House Majority Whip Roy Blunt, a possible candidate for DeLay's post should he fall, says the Texan "continues to have the strong support of our conference."
Back in his hometown of Sugar Land, DeLay's base appears almost emboldened by the charges. "He has always been there for me, whether it's the Barber Board or coon hunting," says A. D. Eversole, 65, who first met DeLay in the early 1970s, right after he was elected to the Legislature. At Eversole's barber shop, an autographed photo of DeLay hangs on a wall, flanked by two cutouts of John Wayne.
For all his support, there are also some signs of trouble. DeLay, running against a virtual unknown last year, took just 53 percent of the vote in Fort Bend County, his longtime stronghold. Some say he might do worse next time. "He got elected at a time when all you had to do around here was put Republican in front of your name," says Republican Beverly Carter, a longtime DeLay critic. But, Carter adds, people are getting tired of voting for DeLay just because "he's our son of a bitch."
Meantime, the pressure is building. In Washington, Democrats say they'll keep the heat on DeLay when they return next month and attempt to flush some moderate Republican colleagues from the blind. Then there's the criminal case back in Texas. Buck Wood, an attorney in one of the civil suits related to TRMPAC, says there's something about the prospect of doing prison time in Texas that tends to loosen lips. "At that point, you stop worrying about politics and start worrying about your liberty," he says. "You stop thinking about Tom DeLay's interests."
SUCH VERY GOOD FRIENDS
Much of the controversy surrounding the House majority leader stems from legal troubles of former aides and associates.
Michael Scanlon, political consultant
UNDER INVESTIGATION for influence peddling. "I want all their money!!!" wrote Scanlon, DeLay's former spokesman, to his partner, Jack Abramoff.
advertisement
