Former Rep. DeLay, indicted on state campaign finance charges, begins new 'career' as blogger

There was an open comment thread at DeLay's blog, but sometime early Sunday evening the commenting function was disabled. In addition, DeLay's three initial posts at the blog were removed, with no explanations given for the removals.


Here are the comments from the 75-minute period where tom delay actually received feedback from America on his blog.

Sunday, December 10, 2006

Welcome to my blogWelcome to TomDeLay.com and thank you for visiting my new blog. Over the course of my political life I have learned many things, one of which is that not all good ideas come from Washington, D.C.. In fact I think that most of the best ideas come from concerned citizens from all over The United States.Unfortunately, many D.C. insiders are simply incapable of looking outside the capital beltway for fresh opinions and new approaches that might otherwise help our nation.I have created this blog in order to provide Americans with a new meeting place where such opinions and viewpoints might be better shared, discussed and debated; a place where conservative and traditionalist Americans might speak truth to power and to one another.In all honesty, I did not fully realize the impact or potential of the blogosphere until very recently, when Red State gave me the opportunity to post some of my observations in the wake of the recent midterm elections. The response I received was overwhelming, and I would like to again thank the fine people at that site.This experience brought me to the immediate realization that I needed to become involved in the blogosphere. TomDelay.com is the culmination of my new found understanding.I am both extremely excited and energized by this opportunity to meet with you here, in the online marketplace of ideas. I look forward to working in collaboration not competition with all those who already use blogs as a way to fight against and present an alternative to institutionalized liberal media bias.I hope that you will return often. Thanks again.
Posted on Sunday, December 10, 2006 at 03:23PM by Registered Commenter Tom DeLay

Comments:

High Tom I was just wondering what you thought of certain a Congressman who tried to get a bill passed claiming the war is "unnecessarily and unconstitutionally begun by the President of the United States"
December 10, 2006 Unregistered Commenter doctorsmith

Such unmitigated gall.Your 3 First Principles "Order, Justice, and Freedom" obviously don't include Honesty, Integrity, or Ethics. I particularly like the way the House Ethics Committee chairman, Joel Hefley, was removed after rebuking you 3 times. Yes, he was replaced by Delay groupie Doc Hastings, with a couple other groupies connected with your PAC. Sorta make sure no more untoward rebukes occur.It's good that you're no longer a Representative; the stench of the 109th Congress will take a long time to fix.
December 10, 2006 Unregistered Commenter Wilbur

YOUR ARE A FUCKING DISGRACE TO THE IDEAS OF GOLDWATER. CRAWL BACK INTO A HOLE YOU TURD!
December 10, 2006 Unregistered Commenter Clayton Hutchinson

Zalmay Khalilzad is now resigning as ambassador to Iraq. In my opinion, a staunch supporter of the war such as yourself should volunteer to fill this important post. It would do you some good to get first hand knowledge regarding Iraq, a country in which the situation is said to be "grave" and "deteriorating."
December 10, 2006 Unregistered Commenter Larry Talbot

What a magnificently, terrifically boring and irrelevant blog. Honestly, who on earth cares what you have to say?
December 10, 2006 Unregistered Commenter Miles Coverdale

You left Congress disgracefully and you want people to take you seriously? You should be in prison you assclown, piss off Tom.
December 10, 2006 Unregistered Commenter

Tom you suckTom DeLay is a pussy-ass faggot moneygrubber.
December 10, 2006 Unregistered Commenter Jar Jar

Didn't we already stick a fork in your ass and decide you're done?To paraphrase you: You WERE the Federal Government...now you're a nothing.The fact that you are trying to keep your name alive by starting a stupid blog is actually kind of pathetic and sad. Please just go away.
December 10, 2006 Unregistered Commenter Meadows

You wouldn't know "honesty" if came up and BIT YOU IN THE ASS.
December 10, 2006 Unregistered Commenter Bill Davis

How pathetic you are, Mr. Delay. You are a criminal, and you should be serving time in jail alomg with your buddies Abramhoff and Cunningham.The damage you have done to this country is reprehinsible.Do us all a favor and just disappear, you sorry excuse for a person.
December 10, 2006 Unregistered Commenter cosmo

Tom,When you're locked up, will you smuggle blog posts out in your visitors' rectums?December 10, 2006 Unregistered Commenter Rick DerrisSLeaze bag!
December 10, 2006 Unregistered Commenter Joe

Aesthetically speaking, this is the most visually bland yet offensive piece of crap to ever find it's way onto a server.
December 10, 2006 Unregistered Commenter dfd

Tom, you corrupted the conservative cause and brought disgrace to our party. We can never forgive you for that. Please crawl back into your hole.
December 10, 2006 Unregistered Commenter American Patriot

OK, fuck all you critics, I was the best leader the House of Representatives has ever had. Don't try to smear me, I am the definition of honesty and integrity, so fuck all you liberal commies.
December 10, 2006 Unregistered Commenter Tom Delay

Forget the blog, Tom. Just hook up with OJ and write a book.
December 10, 2006 Unregistered Commenter Me Too

Everyone already assumes bloggers are unemployed losers... thanks for reinforcing that stereotype...
December 10, 2006 Unregistered Commenter Marc

Is this blog serious? And if so, then did you mean it when you said that "unfortunately, many D.C. insiders are simply incapable of looking outside the capital beltway for fresh opinions and new approaches that might otherwise help our nation?"WTF were you doing during those years of gerrymandering and hammering away votes for Bush's rubberstamp 109th Congress? Were you looking outside the beltway for fresh opinions and new approaches then?No wonder your miserable party lost last month. And the longer you act detached from reality, the longer you and your party will suffer a horrible isolation by the American people. And besides, you're a potential criminal.I suggest you focus on that rather than this stupid blogl.
December 10, 2006 Unregistered Commenter Dookiestix

When I go to prison I will have the best bitch in the cellblock so eat your hearts out. His name is Jack Abramhoff and he gives good head.
December 10, 2006 Unregistered Commenter Tom Delay

WoW! America's poster-child for white entitlement, greed, authoritarianism and the exploitation religion for corporate interests finally has a blog! The intertubz are finally complete... Go back to your hole Tom. Your "conservative revolution" is dead. No one cares what a ignorant exterminator has to say anymore, now that we are all pretty sure you're a criminal.Though in all honesty, keep posting. This should be entertaining... in a "rubbernecking a car accident" sort of way.
December 10, 2006 Unregistered Commenter raoul duke

I am crook and a liar. I only care about my own enrichment.
December 10, 2006 Unregistered Commenter Tom Delay

Oh, fuck all you critics. I was the best Republican leader of the House Majority ever! Now if you'll excuse me, I have appointment to get reamed up the butt by Rev. Ted Haggard, another good conservative Christian. Hey, I gotta practice for when I finally end up in the big house. Toodles!
December 10, 2006 Unregistered Commenter Tom DeLay

Fuck you all, i am the greatest assfucker ever.
December 10, 2006 Unregistered Commenter Tom Delay

You are a fucking moron
December 10, 2006 Unregistered Commenter john wTom,

Amazon has a new book you should bone up on (forgive the pun)"How to have great sex in the American prison system"I mean while you're there, try to make good memories.
December 10, 2006 Unregistered Commenter Jim Montague

Although I am against Tom having any free and legimate contact with the "normal" folk of the great United States, the responses to this blog just made my Sunday. Hee hee. Thanks Tom!! But seriously, someone should do us a favor and escort Tom to Iraq, outside of the green zone so he can practice order, justice and freedom...for uh let's say 90 seconds.

December 10, 2006 Unregistered Commenter SAK

Oh, by the way I mostly put the blame on your corrupted,twisted,criminal,phycotic,evil existance on your PARENTS who bought your no-good ass into this world.
December 10, 2006 Unregistered Commenter Bill Davis

Did I mention that you are a fucking moron?
December 10, 2006 Unregistered Commenter john

whahahahahawhat a joke.
December 10, 2006 Unregistered Commenter Muhammed Ali

Go drink some ddt you assholes, i am going to church so I can get a blow job from some alter boys.
December 10, 2006 Unregistered Commenter Tom Delay

Just thought I'd mention you are a fucking moron
December 10, 2006 Unregistered Commenter john w

You corrupt hypocrite, crawl back to the hole you came out of.
December 10, 2006 Unregistered Commenter An American

I think I said this but just in case - you are a fucking moron
December 10, 2006 Unregistered Commenter john w

I can see you have an adoring public.Don't lose your body guards.
December 10, 2006 Unregistered Commenter xoites

Take this from a soldier and a veteran: Where is your integrity. You were getting paid while we're dying in Iraq.
December 10, 2006 Unregistered Commenter GI Joe

Mr DeLay,I'm quite distressed that you are using the f-word in response to these people saying such terrible things about you. Please clean up your language! I'll pray for you, sir.
December 10, 2006 Unregistered Commenter Suzie Sue

may your days in prison be filled with water-boarding, anal sodomy, and eye-liner...to be duke cuuningham's bitch is too good for you, you wretched little man...
December 10, 2006 Unregistered Commenter e coli

Nobody wants to hear from you, Tom Delay. Disappear. Suck on some dog eggs while you wait to go to prison. Maybe your pretty little bride will find someone with a little integrity while you're away, but I doubt it. You don't screw America and then expect us to take you seriously.
December 10, 2006 Unregistered Commenter Terry Olson

I like to smother myself in tapioca pudding and play the bongos in front of the fireplace. Looking for S/W/M who shares same interests.
December 10, 2006 Unregistered Commenter Tom Delay

This is a joke, right?
December 10, 2006 Unregistered Commenter BatMan

rot in hell bich!
December 10, 2006 Unregistered Commenter mike

Oh my, Mr. Delay, I make a killer tapioca, and my brother left his bongos last time he was here. Would you be interested....? I love your hair.
December 10, 2006 Unregistered Commenter Suzie Sue

Oh Tom, just shut this blog down, it is hurting our regressive reputation. If you could've just shown a little more integrity and fucked a couple of page boys you wouldn't be in any trouble but you had to take some money from Jack. I will miss you Tom, we need more crooks like you in Congress, those librul Dems are just gonna get in the way of fucking this country in the ass.
December 10, 2006 Unregistered Commenter George W. Bush

Thanks,Tom.You had the opportunity to be a good public servant, and you used it to gerrymander and slander and line your own pockets. Great example for the kids. What a prick.
December 10, 2006 Unregistered CommenterBarney

Is suzie sue your stage name??
December 10, 2006 Unregistered Commenter Bubba

The polling here seems unscientific but i think the overall sentiment is quite accurate.
December 10, 2006 Unregistered Commenter xoites

My "friends" in the pen called me Sally the Stank.
December 10, 2006 Unregistered Commenter Bubba

When you sign on to start helping Americans and Iraqis outside that green zone, maybe I'll start taking you seriously. Until then you're just another power hungry politico-criminal who has taken my belief system and values and exploited them to achieve your ends. You're about as Christian as a horse's ass, with scarcely a trace of integrity.
December 10, 2006 Unregistered Commenter Puh-leez

Stanley won't replace this hammer free of charge if it ever breaks, rusts, or otherwise can't perform it's duties.
December 10, 2006 Unregistered Commenter Rick Santorum

Tom, you are a disgusting piece of shit.Tom, you are a disgusting piece of shit.Tom, you are a disgusting piece of shit.Tom, you are a disgusting piece of shit.
December 10, 2006 Unregistered Commenter Wade F. Godot

all you libruls, get off Toms back, he is one great American hero and he will get a medal for his great service to our corporations, so just fuck of you libruls.
December 10, 2006 Unregistered Commenter George W. Bush

Fuck you Tom
December 10, 2006 Unregistered Commenter George W. Bush

Oh Bubba, bless your heart. I'm sure Mr. DeLay knows someone in a ministry who could help you with your problem...
December 10, 2006 Unregistered Commenter Suzie Sue

for K Street loser.Have fun in prison and do not drop the soap.
December 10, 2006 Unregistered Commenter getalife

Go back to killing bugs, Tom. You did everything you could while in the House to steal money from the American people and channel it to your friends. You deserve jail time, not public discourse.
December 10, 2006 Unregistered Commenter Person of Integrity

Fuck you W, get off my blog
December 10, 2006 Unregistered Commenter Tom Delay

hi, tom!!!!so glad you joined the blogosphere! now you can link to my articles and to michelle's too :)speaking of michelle, she just received a new batch of iraqi baby blood from general pace...if you would like to come up to nyc, drop in and you can suck on some of it too!and, to you liberals on here....HAVE I TOLD YOU LATELY HOW MUCH I HATE YOU!!!!
December 10, 2006 Unregistered Commenter ann coulter

If your vision was complete the world had been turned into a pile cockroach infested cinders. Remember how much a part you could have played in destroying the world and the American democratic experiment.Thankfully though, you and your Maoist republican friends have been driven back to the Texan prostitutes den...spread your virus amongst yourselves.
December 10, 2006 Unregistered Commenter Sasquatch

President Bush! I am shocked! Surely you and Mr. DeLay support one another! Please reconsider your language. I'll pray for you, too!You are a fine gentleman, and I have encouraged all six of my sons to be just like you. And I have forced all four of my daughters to be just like Jenna and Barbara. Their daddy loves them so...
December 10, 2006 Unregistered Commenter Suzie Sue

My hairpiece was carefully hand crafted by slave labor using only the best of Ted Haggard's pubic hair.
December 10, 2006 Unregistered Commenter Tom Delay

I hope this works!Wanted: Former discraced yet handsome minister into male backrubs and meth use. Me: A stylish 6'4" male ex-con with several large appendages and a hairy back yet a smooth head looking for a friendship first then LTR. Let's Get It On!
December 10, 2006 Unregistered Commenter Bubba

I am glad to see the Hammer has found some work. Tom, you best make some good money from your effort blogging as you will soon have to spend some time with your new cell mate. You are a worthless peice of shit that has been puffed up with lobbyuist meals and taxpayer funds. It is because of you that your republican buddies are all leaving DC. Thanks for your help on that you ethically challenged pile of shit. Better yet, FUCK YOU, you nazis bastard. Maybe the buddies you made in the Marianas Islands can help you out You have no business criticizing Jimmy Carter you whacked out nut.
December 10, 2006 Unregistered Commenter Chris in N

Mummm....have you decided on who is gonna be your pimp in jail?..now there is something you can blog about.
December 10, 2006 Unregistered Commenter fuckyoutom

WOW! The only thing better than all of these posts, is imagining that fucktard sitting and reading these tonight and then trying to "filter" us all out. What a sad sad man. HE HE! :)December 10, 2006 Unregistered Commenter TiMM4HH!

Fuck this, i am the best Congress have ever seen. Soon I will be the best excogressman to take it in the ass, I will be the best bitch, promise, don't you believe me, I would never lie.
December 10, 2006 Unregistered Commenter Tom Delay

hi, tom!!!mmmmm, i have the biggest, blackest, leather strap-on just for you, you bad bad boy...i am going to ream you out until you squeal like a little ann coulter-pig...-this will get you ready for rufus in the big house-
December 10, 2006 Unregistered Commenter michelle malkin

I'm beginning to think this blog was a big mistake.
December 10, 2006 Unregistered CommenterTom Delay

Haha this comments section is the funniest thing I have seen all day. Looks like things have started off with a bang, Tom!
December 10, 2006 Unregistered Commenter Commie Liberal

I can't help but think of DeLay standing over this web server screaming, "How do you turn this fucking thing off!"Let's hear it for the First Amendment, eh Tommy-boy?December 10, 2006 Unregistered Commenter devilbushGreat blog Tom, you really have some big fans and I hope to start a blog and get the same praise as you are receiving today. Gotta go shoot a pal in the face so have a great day Tom, great blog.
December 10, 2006 Unregistered Commenter Dick Cheney

Eat me, Tom.
December 10, 2006 Unregistered Commenter Skank

How many times did you put your daughter Danielle in a hot tub and feed her to the lobbyists? Is that why they paid her the 500K?
December 10, 2006 Unregistered Commenter Mike

Here's an idea.Go away!You are a divisive, elitist lack of a human being who cares nothing for the little guy.You claim to be a Christian?Why are you against the poor and publicly funded education, among so many other subjects?Tom, you need to truly find God instead of molding him to your privileged, white upbring.I pray for your soul because I don't think you have one. I have never believed I am righteous in my life.
December 10, 2006 Unregistered Commenter Paul

"There is nothing more important than cutting taxes in a time of war."Or so says the EXTERMINATOR / HAMMERWell, how's this for a corrallary:"There is nothing more important than treating your hemroids in a time of JAIL."
December 10, 2006 Unregistered Commenter Atheist

Remember this Tom?As the war progressed, DeLay condemned "(President Clinton's) war," and grumbled in April, 1999, that, "There are no clarified rules of engagement. There is no timetable. There is no legitimate definition of victory. There is no contingency plan for mission creep. There is no clear funding program. There is no agenda to bolster our overextended military. There is no explanation defining what vital national interests are at stake. There was no strategic plan for war when the President started this thing, and there still is no plan today."
December 10, 2006 Unregistered Commenter Joe Wilson

GOD, I HATE YOU PEOPLE!!!mr delay wants a place for all those who love him and miss him to come and visit and leave notes of adoration, and, you, you LIBERAL SWINE, have ruined his opening...if i ever see any of you, i will BITE YOU IN THE NECK and poison you with my saliva...love and kisses,ann coulter
December 10, 2006 Unregistered Commenter ann coulter

Haven't you gone back to killing roaches yet, Tom? I know your brain's most likely scrambled due to the use of toxic chemicals (after all, how else could you justify your politics?) but now that you're out of office, what else are you going to do? Oh, right. You're going to become the next Jack Abramoff. Silly me.
December 10, 2006 Unregistered CommenterP.

God I am glad Tom is still around so we can continue making fun of just how wrong he is. We owe him a debt of gratitude for helping destroy conservative philosophy and the GOP (Gang of Pedophiles). Keep going you moron, we need more of your help. Maybe you can share a cell with Mark Foley or Jack Abramoff; you could all be butthole buddies. Have Fun
December 10, 2006 Unregistered Commenter Honest

Would you expect anything different Tom. It will be good to see you in prison garb. Make sure you say Hi to Bubba down there in Texas prison and make sure to drop the soap once in a while, you deserve some bum pumping for what you have done. Sincerely though, you are a piece of shit and no friend of America.
December 10, 2006 Unregistered Commenter howie

Hey Tom,,Just reminding you about the old Klan-bible reading party tonight at Rusty's. Don't forget to bring your hood.See you there
December 10, 2006 Unregistered Commenter Jack Ruby

Hi Tom cool blog. I hope you can cum join me in prison soon, my rectum just gets moist every time I think about you Tom. Just plead guilty because you know you are. Don't bring that soap on a rope, you wont need it, Hugs and kisses ,Jack.
December 10, 2006 Unregistered Commenter Jack Abramhoff

tomdon't worry about unsustainable deficits, just keep redistributing the wealth to all the patriots and pioneersdon't worry about the bill of rights, the 10 commandments will do just fine, we can sin under either one, you've proved to be able to shit on most of both anywaydon't worry about the person, the corporation is much more importantdon't worry about your crimes, they just have a max sentance of life in prison, someone thought that suborning the vote in a democracy was a big thing, go figureby the way, fuck you and the horse you came with last night
December 10, 2006 Unregistered Commenter tofubo

I thought there was a filter? Is this how your friends talk to you, Tom?I finger myself just thinking about you reading your comments sections. Of course, I totally fucking cum when I look at your mug shot. Oh my god!! Maybe you could sign one for me? Please? I'll suck you off.
December 10, 2006 Unregistered Commenter Skank

Tom !You never call anymore ?! Pastor Haggard wants to Hang out and ya know .... get a massage ;oHugs & kisses **Jeff Gannon / Jim Guckert / Johnny GoschDecember 10, 2006 Unregistered Commenter Jeff GannonGod, this has got to be tough to hear your friends say this about you:Rep. Zach Wamp: "Our leadership and some of our members grew arrogant in their own power, and with arrogance comes corruption,"---snip---"If Tom DeLay said it one time, he said it 15 times: 'The most important thing we can do for the American people is keep our Republican majority.' That was just wrong, and it had to catch up to us in the end."
December 10, 2006 Unregistered Commenter Rick Santorum

Fuck you, Gannon, I was here first. Get lost, fairy.
December 10, 2006 Unregistered Commenter Skank

Come on!"Tom Delay" isn't actually Tom Delay!Eat more fish.Good grief.
December 10, 2006 Unregistered Commenter Paul

Let me see: 98 posts. 98 unanimous posts.You really do have a knack for organizing people.
December 10, 2006 Unregistered Commenter xoites

As a child, my hamster came to an untimely and unnatural demise in my Easy Bake Oven.
December 10, 2006 Unregistered Commenter Tom Delay

This is a good example of values that I hold dear to my heart. All these great comments, i am just impressed with all these great fans you have Tom, keep up the great work Tom!
December 10, 2006 Unregistered Commenter Rick Santorum

Ya'll are invited to my house for an orgy tonight. Super discreet! Tom, you come over too, you can have a reunion with all your friends. The fucking is sooooo boring, but I charge admission, so it's all good. I just wish Ricky Santorum would leave my dog alone.
December 10, 2006 Unregistered Commenter Skank

youhavekilled500,000ofus....fromthegraveweshoutFUCK YOU TOM DELAY
December 10, 2006 Unregistered Commenter dead iraqi children

Justice would have you spending a lifetime making clothes in a sweatshop at pennies a day.
December 10, 2006 Unregistered Commenter ricky bobby

Do I make you horny?Cool, but you are too old for me.
December 10, 2006 Unregistered Commenter Mark Foley

Dear Mr. Delay,Please ignore all untoward comments published here. We will take care of you. You have served us well and we do not forget.After you get a little tired of this exercise in free expression please bring your family along and report to the Eunuchizing Station. You and your family will be well cared for, as long as you remember your place in the grand scheme of things.Merry Christmas,Your overseeers in the oilarchcy
December 10, 2006 Unregistered Commenter ExxonMobil

DeLay: Republicans got a ‘Texas whupping’

One of the House seats the Democrats snagged from Republicans came in the Texas district of former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay.

Republicans have held this seat for more than 20 years. Democrat Nick Lampson defeated Republican Shelley Sekula-Gibbs. Sekula-Gibbs will finish the last two months of Tom DeLay’s term before Lampson takes over.

Former Congressman Tom DeLay announced his resignation from Congress back in April to fight corruption charges in Texas.

Discontent with GOP finds way into Texas

By SUZANNE GAMBOA, Associated Press Writer
Tue Oct 17, 3:19 PM ET

DRIPPING SPRINGS, Texas - The economy is strong and Rickye Lennon's excavation business is thriving. Yet his son may soon go to war, government scandals are in the news, and Lennon, a Republican deep in the heart of Bush country, doesn't think his party should remain in charge of Congress.

"I think we need a wake-up call," said Lennon, 50, of Dripping Springs. "They need to be paying attention to the issues the people are concerned about and I think we need to become more moderate in our views."

Three weeks to the midterm elections, GOP discontent is seeping into the home state of President Bush, where every statewide elected official is a Republican.

The state's Republican House members were supposed to be protected from such voter mood swings by the 2003 redrawing of the state's congressional districts, orchestrated by former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay.

But largely because of DeLay, who resigned in June embroiled in scandal, Texas this year unexpectedly is one of the states that could help Democrats wrest control of the House from the GOP this November. Races for three of the state's 32 congressional seats are considered competitive.

No Republican is listed on the ballot in the race for the seat once held by DeLay. That's left Democrat Nick Lampson the favorite against write-in Republican candidate Shelley Sekula-Gibbs.

Democrats hope the congressional page scandal will help push Republican Rep. Henry Bonilla (news, bio, voting record) into a runoff against one of his seven challengers for a district stretching from near El Paso to Laredo.

And voter unease also may thwart Republican efforts to seize the Central Texas district that is home to Bush's ranch, a congressional seat now held by Democratic Rep. Chet Edwards (news, bio, voting record).

There is disquiet in the state's gubernatorial race, too, in which incumbent GOP Gov. Rick Perry is polling only in the high 30s against three challengers.

Walter Dean Burnham, a professor emeritus in the University of Texas at Austin government department, said that while "there certainly is some sign of discontent" in the state, he expected its impact in congressional races to be limited.

"I don't see any good reason the love affair with the Republican Party has weakened all that much," he said.

News that Republican Rep. Mark Foley (news, bio, voting record) sent illicit electronic messages to congressional pages was unfolding when Lennon stopped at the Dripping Springs post office recently. A cap embroidered with "Legends of Texas Swing Music Festival" shielded his eyes as he slapped dust from his jeans.

To Lennon, the handling of the Foley scandal and ethical problems involving other congressmen are examples of Republican hypocrisy.

"It's cronyism," he said. "There are a lot of people out there that will do anything they can to protect their party. That's wrong. We have to do what's right. We have laws that everyone has to follow and they are not above that law."

He expects to vote for his Democratic congressman, Lloyd Doggett of Austin.

Others are ready to give the GOP another chance.

Sokhom Chum, who lives in the Dallas suburb of Carrollton, said there's plenty he doesn't like about Congress. The finger-pointing is wearing on him and he'd like to see more compromise on immigration.

But Chum, 46, said he is willing to give Republicans another year to resolve the Iraq war and do a better job of governing. "I'm a patient man. The economy seems to be doing fine," he said.

Two years ago, Republicans took charge of the Texas congressional delegation, winning 22 of 32 House seats. The DeLay-led redistricting ensured few competitive races. Democrats produced some competition when they sued to keep Republicans from replacing DeLay on the ballot.

And while Republicans pledged to spend as much as a $4 million on the race, the money hasn't materialized. Such spending has become less likely as the Foley scandal puts at risk more Republican seats around the country.

In Edwards' district, Republican challenger Van Taylor has waged a blistering campaign that accuses the Democratic incumbent of being soft on illegal immigration. But voters were more likely to mention Edwards' work to keep open the local veterans hospital and snare a homeland security contract for one of the district's largest employers.

"I generally vote Republican, but in Chet's case ... he is looking out for the people and his district," said John Henry, 66, of Waco.

On Tuesday, Edwards' campaign gleefully trumpeted reports that the national Republican committee had abandoned plans to spend $1.5 million on the race. Taylor's campaign would not confirm the reports, but spokesman Mike Spellings said, "We were prepared from the very beginning to win this campaign on our own and Van has shown that he is adept at raising money."

Bonilla found himself in an unexpected fight after the Supreme Court ruled that Hispanic voting strength had been diluted in his district and ordered it redrawn. Now that the district is more Hispanic, his Democratic challengers are hoping for a runoff, although Bonilla still is favored to win.

Bonilla acknowledged his party faces challenges, listing DeLay's resignation and the Foley page scandal among others, but says the Democratic uproar is an "act of the devil" to distract voters.

"It's like a family member, when somebody goes bad," Bonilla said. "It makes it harder for the whole family to function."

GOP sends cash, Cheney to Texas

Sept. 28, 2006
Staff And Wire Reports

The national Republican Party has joined the fight to replace former U.S. Rep. Tom DeLay, donating more than $100,000 to the Republican candidate's write-in candidacy and sending Vice President Dick Cheney to a Houston fundraiser for her next week.

Although the party has yet to deliver anywhere near the $3 million once claimed by state GOP Chairwoman Tina Benkhiser, a spokesman for the National Republican Congressional Committee confirmed Wednesday that the group had donated $99,465 to assist the campaign of GOP candidate Shelley Sekula-Gibbs.

Cheney is scheduled to appear in Houston on Oct. 4.

Jared Woodfill, Harris County Republican chairman, said Sekula-Gibbs announced Cheney's visit when she addressed the county's Republican executive committee Tuesday.

Texas court to reconsider DeLay charge

By APRIL CASTRO Associated Press Writer
© 2006 The Associated Press
Sept. 13, 2006, 10:14AM

AUSTIN, Texas — The state's highest criminal appeals court said Wednesday it would consider reinstating a conspiracy charge against former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, further delaying his felony money laundering trial.

A Travis County grand jury indicted DeLay and two political consultants last year on charges stemming from Republican fundraising during the 2002 legislative races.

A state district court judge later threw out one of two conspiracy charges. Prosecutors asked the appeals court to reinstate the dropped charge, and the court said Wednesday that it would consider that request.

Judge Pat Priest said he would proceed with DeLay's trial when the appeals process has ended.

DeLay stepped down as majority leader after the charges were filed and announced his resignation from Congress a few months later. He and other Texas Republicans have accused prosecutor Ronnie Earle, a Democrat, of conducting a political vendetta.

"It's just another bump in the road," DeLay's attorney, Dick DeGuerin, said Wednesday. "I thought they would just refuse to get involved but at the same time, I'm not really shocked by it."

Earle did not immediately return a phone call from The Associated Press.

Both sides will be given time to file their arguments with the Court of Criminal Appeals, which will then set a date for oral arguments. A ruling is not likely to come before next year, said Ed Marty, general counsel to the court.

Prosecutors accuse DeLay and the two consultants of violating state law by funneling $190,000 in illegal corporate money to the Republican National Committee, which then donated the same amount to Texas candidates. Under Texas law, corporate money can't be directly used for political campaigns.

DeLay and the consultants, Jim Ellis and John Colyandro, say the transaction was legal.

The dispute over the dismissed charge centers on whether the conspiracy statute applied to the state's election code in 2002. DeLay was accused of conspiring to violate the election code, but his attorneys say that transaction was not illegal at the time. DeGuerin says the dropped charge accuses DeLay of conspiring to violate the election code as it stood in 2003.

The other conspiracy count DeLay faces accuses him of conspiring to launder money.

Lobbying-and-bribery probe eyes payments to DeLay's wife

RAW STORY
Published: Wednesday September 6, 2006

Recent FBI interviews with members of a lobbying firm indicate that the Justice Department is investigating whether former House Majority Leader Tom Delay's wife earned $115,000 over three years for a no-show job, according to an article by The Wall Street Journal.

"The two-year investigation is examining whether lobbyist Jack Abramoff and others sought legislative favors for their clients by offering expensive meals, sports tickets, golf outings and other gifts to about a dozen lawmakers and congressional aides," reports Brody Mullins.



Excerpts from the WSJ story:

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In the last few weeks, Federal Bureau of Investigation agents have interviewed several people at the Alexander Strategy Group lobbying firm to determine if Christine DeLay was being paid $3,200 a month -- a total of $115,000 over three years -- but not earning it. In a series of interviews last month, investigators questioned people who used to work at Alexander Strategy as well as people who worked in the same building as the now-defunct firm. "They wanted to know how often she came to the office? What did she do there? How long was she there?" said one person who was interviewed by the FBI.

Alexander Strategy was run by a pair of Mr. DeLay's former aides: Tony Rudy, who pleaded guilty to bribery charges in March; and Edwin Buckham, who remains under investigation. The firm also shared clients with Jack Abramoff.

In last month's interviews, investigators also asked about $144,000 that Mrs. DeLay received from one of Mr. DeLay's fund-raising committees, the Americans for a Republican Majority Political Action Committee, which was housed at the lobbying firm's offices. Investigators also inquired about fees paid to Mr. DeLay's daughter, Dani DeLay Ferro, a longtime political consultant to her father.

Richard Cullen, a lawyer for the DeLay family, said Mrs. DeLay was a "key adviser to her husband and her employment at Armpac and Alexander Strategy was real and valuable." Mr. Cullen has said that Mrs. DeLay's job at the firm was to compile a list of lawmakers' favorite charities. Neither Mr. DeLay nor his wife has been interviewed by the Justice Department, Mr. Cullen said.

Political soap opera
The plot lines in the race to replace Tom DeLay in Congress just keep getting more tangled.

2006 Houston Chronicle

When former Congressman Tom DeLay bailed out of his District 22 seat a month after winning the Republican nomination this spring, little did he know that his defection would wind up creating dual races, with Democrat Nick Lampson holding the inside track to the one that counts.

A court battle waged by Texas Democrats prevented Republicans from replacing DeLay's name on the ballot. That made Lampson the favorite to win a two-year term in the general election. Write-in candidate Shelley Sekula-Gibbs, a Houston City councilwoman endorsed by the Republican Party, is given little chance to win because of the difficulty in registering write-in votes and the presence of a second certified Republican write-in candidate, Don Richardson.

Texas Gov. Rick Perry added a final touch of the absurd this week by calling a special election on the same date to fill the final two months of DeLay's term. Lampson promptly announced he would not participate in the special election. That means the winner will likely serve in Congress for less than two months before being replaced.

Sekula-Gibbs has filed for the special election. Should she choose to set up a 2008 rematch with Lampson, she would benefit from the brief exposure as a holiday season member of Congress. The drawback is that if she wins the special election she will have to resign her at-large position on City Council, forfeiting a year of political visibility in that position. That would also necessitate a costly special citywide election to replace her on council, triggering a rush of municipal hopefuls to fill out the term.

As a result of the electoral twists and turns, Republicans going to the polls in District 22 in November will need to master the write-in process, and everybody will have to figure out why they are voting for the same seat twice.

However it turns out, this election is guaranteed to provide political scientists a trove of future research material on voter behavior.