DeLay Criticism Redux

USA Today ran a cover story today on Tom DeLay, which, as ABC Noted, probably "isn't the cover story he had in mind when he came to Washington." The article is quite a good backgrounder on the ethical issues that seem to be catching up to DeLay, and is well worth the read.

The DCCC weblong, citing CQ, reported this morning that Chafee joined in the criticism of DeLay yesterday, saying "We've got to uphold the highest standards of legality and ethics. You can't have your leader under a cloud. It makes it difficult to run." Chafee, like Chris Shays, will probably have an uphill battle next November, and like all moderate Republicans will find it hard to run when his opponents can slather him with the slimy DeLay brush all through the campaign.

Shays, still so far the only elected Republican to call for DeLay's resignation (if you know of others, please let me know), is of course taking heat for his comments. Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA) said yesterday "I think that Chris Shays again has demonstrated he's totally out of touch with what the mainstream of the Republican members of Congress are feeling and that he is disloyal to the party and to people as individuals." Rohrabacher added that the attacks are 'nonsensical' "except you've got jerks like Chris Shays who get notoriety by being disloyal to their fellow Republicans", according to a Newsday report. Shays' reponse, quite appropriately, was to say "I think what has made me an effective member of Congress is that I do my job and am willing to accept the consequences." Unlike some people.

Take Tom DeLay, for instance. In a closed-door meeting with Republican senators today, DeLay urged his audience "to blame Democrats if asked about his ethics controversy and accused the news media of twisting supportive comments so they sounded like criticism." "Officials said DeLay recommended that senators respond to questions by saying Democrats have no agenda other than partisanship, and are attacking him to prevent Republicans from accomplishing their legislative program." Clearly a person willing to accept the consequences of his actions.

Sadly I think the second part of DeLay's statement is somewhat accurate. Santorum's comments from Sunday were not nearly as critical as the media has portrayed them, and it's somewhat unfortunate that they have been spun as they have. See my comments on them from just after they happened, in which I was not nearly as hysterical as some of the later coverage.

ABC procured the best possible quote from another senator for their story on today's meeting: Trent Lott. "I hope he survives, and I hope he will stay in there and do his job," Lott said. He should know all about that!