House GOP backs DeLay amid ethics scandals

[Rose Siding]

WASHINGTON — House Republicans expressed strong support for Majority Leader Tom DeLay on Wednesday, dismissing persistent Democratic criticism of the Texan as evidence of partisan politics.

"I don't see any wavering of the support for the leader. I think a lot of members think he's taking arrows for all of us," said Rep. Roy Blunt, third-ranking among GOP leaders.

Blunt and others spoke out on DeLay's behalf as Democrats leveled a new charge - that the ethical controversy surrounding him was distracting from congressional efforts to tackle pressing problems.

"When politicians, the Republican majority, decides it is above the law, the American people are now seeing that they have a price to pay - at the pump, for their pharmaceuticals, and in the absence of initiatives that would help grow our economy, and to feed our children, provide for the health of our people, protect our environment, and, indeed, even provide for the common defense," said Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi of California.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/APWires/politics/D89A0QSG1.html

[leftofcool]

1. of course they do..............

www.wesupportourcrooks.gop

[chicagojoe]

2. The Radical Right sure loves a martyr.

[ewagner]

3. Whistling past the graveyard

The Repubs seem to hink that if they keep saying that Delay has "strong" support" from the party rank and file, then it will become true...

the truth...if the rfank-and-file ever have to make a public showing of support for Delay, they'll buckle under....

Dems would be wise to push the issue...make them stand with Delay and his dishonesty or bail out...either way, we win....

(jeeesh....how many times have we had a win-win situation in the last 5+ years?)

[priller]

4. Er, no, he's being thrown to the wolves

The only people they actually quote in this article are closely tied to DeLay. As the other stories that came out today make clear (Russian trip, wife and daughter on payroll), the leaks have commenced in earnest. And it's not even a drip, drip, drip -- it's a steady stream. My guess is the White House wants DeLay out, without delay!

[opihimoimoi]

5. Its all part of the ZERO THEORY.,...... stick together and no one gets

BLAMED if shit happens...

[NashVegas]

6. I Think I Feel a Tammy Wynette Moment Coming On

Keep standing by your man, GOP. You just don't have enough egg on your faces yet.

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

7. SOMEONE is leaking stuff to the press.

Inside stuff, too. I frankly doubt that the dems have this inside stuff in this detail and profusion. So who does that leave?

[Rose Siding]

9. I've wondered

if the recent torrential releases could be an attempt to muddy the water? It's not hard to confuse Jane Q if the scandal doesn't fit in a sound byte.

I still don't see how he outruns it. ANY defense at this point opens the whole SYSTEM up to examination.

[TwilightZone]

13. I've been thinking the same thing. Someone on the inside wants him

out.

(Cue Dana Carvey) -- Hmm, could it be....ROVE? :evilgrin:

[wicket]

16. I'd guess it'd be someone who wants the Majority Leader job

[gratuitous]

8. Fight, fight, Radical Right!

C'mon you lot, put your backs into it! Fight on bravely against the arrows fired at your leader! Don't be too dismayed or surprised if you go down with him. Fight on and on!

DeLay grows more toxic by the day. With any luck, he'll poison a substantial portion of his House cadre.

[The Backlash Cometh]

10. Good. They're making it easier to paint them with the same broad-brush.

[whistle]

11. Of course, the swine can't see anything wrong with DeLay's...

...behaviors since all of the republicans are doing the same thing.

[Beetwasher]

12. Oh Goody! BEST POSSIBLE REACTION!!

Don't back down boys, keep the support for the scumbucket coming! May you ALL reap the whirlwind!

[wallwriter]

14. He needs to be out soon, but

I'm kind of hoping this could be a slow and painful process. More fun to watch that way.

By the way, the expression of unified support, as others are pointing out, is bogus. It's just a counter leak.

[Frances]

15. Dems do have leaders & Dems do speak out

<<When politicians, the Republican majority, decides it is above the law, the American people are now seeing that they have a price to pay - at the pump, for their pharmaceuticals, and in the absence of initiatives that would help grow our economy, and to feed our children, provide for the health of our people, protect our environment, and, indeed, even provide for the common defense," said Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi of California.>>

However, the article goes on to say that as Pelosi was speaking, Repubs were listing their accomplishments: the bankruptcy bill, etc.

If we had a fair MSM, the TV programs would be showing the differences between the legislative agenda of the 2 parties.

However, I doubt that Pelosi's comment will make tonight's news.

But should we blame Pelosi and the Dems for that?

[Festivito]

19. NPR mentions Pelosi WITH a Pelosi staff failure to file a form.

Perhaps it was on Diane Rehm. Diane was on. DeLay invited, but on way to Pope, says he is "well represented" by the rest of the panel.

Some Pelosi staffer did not file a travel document? I don't know anything about this stuff. But, we need to know it pat in order to have a street conversation.

It could be worth your listen on their WHYY archives.

[goodboy]

17. this is great news. then they can all go DOWN with him! (nt)

[rocktivity]

18. Candidate for this month's "You Call This NEWS?" award

"...I think a lot of members think he's taking arrows for all of us," said Rep. Roy Blunt, third-ranking among GOP leaders.
That's only fair--HE'S the who keeps detonating the stink bombs!

And didn't I just see a thread around here about how DeLay has put out the word that any GOPer who DOESN'T support him doesn't get any financial support for their re-election campaigns?

:eyes:
rocknation

[yellowcanine]

20. Roy Blunt = Delay's buttboy so I hardly think he is a good indicator

of how all of the House pubbies feel about Delay - though there are many who have brown stuff from Delay's butt on their noses in that crowd.

[neverforget]

21. The Republican Party would rather go down with the captain than

save their own skins. Good! I hope it drags them all down!

[Moderator]

22. kick to combine

[rodeodance]

23. As DeLay Faces Ethics Questions, GOP Circles Its Wagons (whining)

As DeLay Faces Ethics Questions, GOP Circles Its Wagons

By Shailagh Murray

Washington Post Staff Writer

Thursday, April 7, 2005; Page A06

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A32377-2005Apr6.html?nav=hcmodule

House Republicans once again rallied in support of embattled Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-Tex.) yesterday, dismissing new reports that raise questions about his travel and payments to members of his family as part of a partisan character assault.

Majority Whip Roy Blunt (Mo.), the No. 3 Republican in the House, said at a news conference: "I don't see any wavering of support for the leader. I think a lot of members think he's taking arrows for all of us.".......



He appeared particularly incensed about the Times story. "My wife and daughter have any right, just like any other American, to be employed and be compensated for their employment," DeLay told CNN. "It's pretty disgusting, particularly when my wife and daughter are singled out and others are not, in similar situations in the Senate and as well as the House.

DeLay told CNN that the Moscow trip was properly financed and reported. "No member can be responsible for going into the bowels of researching what this organization, how it gets its money or how it's funded. The rules say if it's a legitimate organization that funds the trip and it's reported, it's legal."

[wallwriter]

24. You've gotta love

That the article says Repugs are circling their wagons, but only one of them is actually quoted. How do you circule one wagon? Surely some flunky aide wrote a press release saying that, but couldn't actually come up with any further testimonials.

[zbdent]

27. circuling one wagon -

you spin very, very fast.

[Festivito]

28. You guys have me LOL. nt

[Mark E. Smith]

25. Keep It Going, Tommy!

It's just like quicksand. The more you wiggle the quicker you sink.

[redqueen]

26. I heard a rumor the GOP was throwing him overboard...

because of the Schiavo mess.

:shrug:

[mod mom]

29. My guess is he has a lot of dirt on the thugs, who are more than happy to

accept his tainted money. All he has to say is the other thugs knew where his money was coming from.