by John M. Curtis
(310) 204-8700

Copyright April 17, 2005
All Rights Reserved.

ismissing ethic's charges as a partisan witch-hunt, House Majority Leader Tom DeLay presents mounting problems for the GOP heading into the midyear elections. Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean would like nothing more than for DeLay to hang around. Whether individual allegations about DeLay have merit is anyone's guess. Keeping DeLay under the national heat lamp remains an unwanted detour for Republicans trying to push an ambitious agenda before the next presidential election cycle. There's no one smoking gun or, for that matter, egregious scandal connected to the fast-talking, gun-slinging, macho Texan, whose tough guy, enforcer-like image keeps fellow Republicans from breaking ranks. Yet, like radioactivity, DeLay's problems now threaten the GOP with unwanted notoriety. Sooner or later, the Party must fish or cut bait.

      DeLay's denials only fuel more scrutiny of the majority leader's ethical conduct. New revelations about his 1997 Moscow trip paid by a lobbyist group with suspicious offshore money tied to Russian security companies doesn't help matters. Another $70,000 trip paid by an Indian tribe with gaming interests also raises eyebrows. Add to that payments of $500,000 from his political action committee and campaign funds to his wife and daughter open up more questions. His trip to Korea paid by the Korea-U.S. Exchange Council caused a Justice Department investigation, prohibiting members of congress from accepting money from “a registered lobbyist or agent of a foreign government.” Purging the House's ethics committee of DeLay's GOP critics, stacking it with loyalists and then changing the rules, making it more difficult to investigate ethical complaints, also sends up a red flag.

      Even in Texas, DeLay has his detractors. A recent grand jury probe into money laundering by DeLay's political action committee, Texas for a Republican Majority [TRMPAC], may have skirted a Texas law prohibiting corporations from funding political campaigns. While DeLay hasn't been indicted yet, others have. Allegations swirl around the Texas kingmaker, including pressuring lobbying firms to fire Democrats and contribute to the Republican National Committee. DeLay was admonished for using the Federal Aviation Administration to track Democrats during Texas redistricting efforts. In 2003, DeLay was admonished again for inviting Kansas energy group Westar to buy a “seat at the table” for $5,600. Taken together, DeLay's actions embarrass the White House and certainly House and Senate Republicans seeking reelection in ‘06. Taken alone, they seem inconsequential.

      DeLay's notoriety spells trouble for the GOP seeking to consolidate power after impressive gains in ‘04. “If death comes from a thousand cuts, Tom DeLay is into a couple hundred, and it's getting up there,” said an unnamed GOP political consultant, concerned that the slippery Texan is running out Teflon. Delay is a lightening rod for GOP causes, especially the gun lobby. At the National Rifle Association annual convention in Houston April 17, DeLay was unrepentant, blasting Democrats and the liberal media. “When a man is in trouble or in a good fight, you want to have your friends around, preferably armed. So I feel really good, “ DeLay told a cheering convention, complaining that he's a victim of a left wing conspiracy. Checking the record, DeLay has no one to blame but himself for his current mess. Democrats and the liberal media didn't twist his arm.

      Showing the first cracks in the GOP façade, Rep. Lincoln Chaffe (R-R.I), facing a tough reelection, acknowledged the obvious: “You can't have your leader under a cloud. It makes it difficult to run,” calling into question whether DeLay can survive the “domino effect” of mounting scandals. Sooner or later, closing ranks becomes counterproductive, trying to resuscitate what amount to a a “dead dog.” Even conservative Rep. Rick Santorum (R-Pa.) called on DeLay to give a more full accounting of his travel and his relationship to lobbyist Jack Abramoff, former lobbyist with Washington's powerful firm Greenberg Taurig. Abramoff, and his partner, former DeLay spokesman and public relations expert Michael Scanlon, received countless millions from Indian gaming tribes, who contributed money to organizations with ties to DeLay. All these issues give Democrats raw meat heading into midyear election.

      DeLay's mounting scandals make entertaining headlines, causing the White House and GOP too much embarrassment. If the scandals don't go away, the GOP will have to turn its back on the 10-term congressman from Texas' 22nd district. Too much notoriety can drag down the entire Party. DeLay's problems represent the perfect storm for Democrats seeking to cash-in on the next election cycle. Whether the press or Democrats can force DeLay out remains uncertain. Despite Santorum and Chaffee, most Republicans have closed ranks around the embattled majority leader. Delay “has always had and continues to have, the strong support” of the party, said House Majority Whip Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), stubbornly resisting calls for DeLay's head. Like so many other pitched battles, defending DeLay takes on symbolic significance. Giving in now would spell trouble in ‘06.

About the Author

John M. Curtis writes politically neutral commentary analyzing spin in national and global news. He's editor of OnlineColumnist.com and author of Dodging The Bullet and Operation Charisma.

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