Archive for the 'Tom DeLay' Category

DeLay to resign, will Nussle return his cash?

Published by
Chris Woods
April 4, 2006 in 2006 Governor's Race, Democrats, Iowa politics, Nussle, Jim, Republicans and Tom DeLay. 0 Comments

Press release from the Iowa Democratic Party:

“Criminally-indicted Former Majority Leader Tom DeLay announced today he will resign from office this summer after further revelations surrounding former staffers’ connections with Jack Abramoff. Not only has DeLay been indicted twice on charges of conspiracy and money laundering; but his former deputy chief of staff, Tony Rudy, pled guilty last week to accepting bribes from Jack Abramoff and illegally influencing public officials. The Iowa Democratic Party calls on Congressman Jim Nussle to finally return $15,000 in campaign contributions he received from DeLay’s political action committee.

According to the Washington Post, “Rudy’s statement admits to a far-reaching criminal enterprise operating out of DeLay’s office, an enterprise that helped sway legislation, influence public policy and enrich its main players. The court documents say that Rudy ‘routinely performed official acts for or at the behest of Abramoff.’” [Washington Post, 4/1/-6]

“Jim Nussle refused to return the contributions after DeLay’s criminal indictments; will he continue to do so now that the criminal activities among Delay’s staff are being brought to light? Iowans want representatives in Washington who aren’t associated with Tom DeLay’s ethical and criminal violations. This time, the people of Iowa won’t take no for an answer,” said Iowa Democratic Party Executive Director Mike Milligan.

Jim Nussle received $5,000 on June 20, 2002, March 16, 2004, and June 29, 2004 from Americans for a Republican Majority, Rep. Tom Delay’s political action committee. [www.opensecrets.org]”

Whether or not it will happen, this is still the right move by the IDP to put the spin pressure on Nussle and portray him in a light that makes sure all Iowans know just how connected he is to the Republican corruption machine — maybe not as much as folks like Bob Ney of Ohio, but he’s still connected.

IA-Gov: ISU Forum/Debate

Published by
Chris Woods
April 4, 2006 in 2006 Governor's Race, Democrats, Drake University, Iowa politics and Tom DeLay. 1 Comment

Check out Drew’s recording of the events here. Seems pretty interesting, wish I could’ve been there.

This week will probably be quite a busy week for me as I campaign for a Student Senate seat and other activities. April is always the busiest month on Drake’s campus and this year is definitely gonna be one of the busiest Aprils. Expect a lot of press releases and a bit of commentary, but not much else.

Oh, and say good-bye to Tom DeLay.

A Thought on Congressional Ethics

Published by
Chase Nordengren
January 12, 2006 in Congress, Jack Abramoff and Tom DeLay. 0 Comments

This tangent based on this part of an LA Times story widely reported elsewhere:

[Jack Abramoff’s] most famous golf outings took members, including DeLay and Rep. Bob Ney (R-Ohio), to the fabled St. Andrews course in Scotland. Such trips are against House rules if they are paid for by a lobbyist. DeLay and Ney said they believed the trips were properly paid for by a nonprofit group, but prosecutors are reportedly looking at whether Abramoff initially picked up some of the expenses.

Assuming for a moment that they are not lying and that the trips were paid for (or DeLay and Ney thought they were paid for) by a non-profit, assuming additionally that it is not technically illegal or against House ethics rules … is that in any way right? Is it acceptable to allow a charity (even a shakey one like US Family Network) to use limited funds away from its stated mission to take you golfing? Would our standard be different if DeLay claimed the Salvation Army or Catholic Relief Services took him golfing? Why is this considered an ethical shield?

A Shakespearean Downfall?

Published by
Chase Nordengren
January 12, 2006 in 2006 Elections, Congress and Tom DeLay. 0 Comments

From today’s NYT:

The redistricting led to the loss of six Democratic seats in Texas in 2004, but it also shifted thousands of Democratic voters to strong Republican districts. Among those, Mr. DeLay’s 22nd District added several Democratic-leaning parts of Galveston County; several political analysts estimate they may have raised the district’s Democratic vote around 5 percent.

“There is huge irony here,” said Richard Murray, a University of Houston political scientist. “Six Democrats in Congress were eliminated, but the seventh victim may turnout to be the author of the plan.”

Sweet, sweet irony. And further proof that DeLay took his position for granted, like most of the US Congress, and thus was far more willing to, say, launder money through the RNC or help Jack Abramoff turn tribes against each other. Wherever you live, make sure your elected representatives know that your vote is not automatic and they cannot rule by fiat.

Call on Grassley to return Abramoff’s dirty money

Published by
Chris Woods
January 5, 2006 in Congress, Grassley, Chuck, Iowa politics, Jack Abramoff, Republicans and Tom DeLay. 8 Comments

Interesting news from KCCI Channel 8 today:

“Iowa Sen. Charles Grassley has no plans to return a campaign contribution from lobbyist Jack Abramoff, who pleaded guilty Tuesday to federal fraud and corruption charges.

A string of high-profile Republicans announced they were returning campaign contributions from Abramoff or his clients. The list includes Rep. Roy Blunt of Missouri, House Speaker Dennis Hastert, Iowa Rep. Jim Nussle and President George W. Bush.

According to Federal Elections Commission documents, Grassley received a $1,000 campaign contribution from Abramoff in March 2003.

Abramoff also gave $5,000 to the Hawkeye PAC, which Grassley uses to raise money for other House and Senate candidates.”

The Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier has more here, probably from the same AP story.

As I noted yesterday, Grassley is clearly involved in this scandal and is Iowa’s only legislator besides Tom Latham to have received money directly from Jack Abramoff. President Bush has begun to return some of the money from Abramoff, as have other members of Congress, including Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert and disgraced former majority leader Tom DeLay. Why won’t Chuck Grassley?

I’m pretty sure he won’t because he’s solidly installed in the culture of corruption that has plagued Washington Republicans since they took power in 1994. Iowans re-elected Grassley in 2004 to represent the state of Iowa and her people, not the interests of corrupt GOP lobbyists and the shills in DC. In 2010, I hope Iowans won’t be so gullible as to elect this hack again.

I think its time for the IDP to call on Chuck Grassley to return his dirty money and abandon the culture of corruption.

Thoughts on the Abramoff plea

Published by
Chris Woods
January 3, 2006 in 2006 Elections, Congress, Democrats, Jack Abramoff, Republicans and Tom DeLay. 5 Comments

Let me state first, for the record, that any Democrat who as accepted any money personally from Jack Abramoff the individual, then they should immediately give it back and face subsequent investigation by the appropriate authorities, whether it is a Congressional Ethics Committee or the Department of Justice. I think you’ll find that no Democrat currently surving in the US Congress has taken money directly from Abramoff (via the Center for Responsive Politics here and here).

That being said, any politician can receive contributions or donations from interest groups and PACs, and those may or may not be because of actions taken by the politician on behalf of the interest group or PAC. That is the unfortunate nature of modern politics. However, it is found that Democrats or Republicans illegally or unethically accepted money from these tribes or other interest groups, then they all–no matter the party–deserve to be punished and booted from their respective parties.

However, I think the biggest issue that makes the Abramoff scandal so important is to note the actual actions he took personally to bribe certain congressman, like Bob Ney. Personal trips to golf courses on Scotland, free dinners at his restaurant, and the list goes on an on. These are bribes and deserved to be called as such. Abramoff pled guilty to committing these acts, which isn’t something to be taken lightly. And if you look at the official investigations that are open right now, the Abramoff investigation and now guilty plea is a part of a clearly partisan group of investigations–Rep. Tom DeLay, Rep. Bob Ney, Sen. Conrad Burns, and Rep. John Doolittle. They are all Republicans.

Again, should a Democrat become involved in these criminal investigations, then I expect them to face the same type of criticism we fling at the Republicans. There are some double-standard Democrats out there; I’m not one of them.

And if you’re curious to see all the Abramoff-Congress connections, Think Progress does a fantastic job of doing that here–and it is non-partisan.

(This was also a comment on this post at IowaVoice.com)

Bob Ney only Rep. of Congress implicated in Abramoff charges

Published by
Chris Woods
January 3, 2006 in 2006 Elections, Congress, Jack Abramoff, Republicans and Tom DeLay. 0 Comments

UPDATE: Previous information about Tom DeLay was incorrect, has been updated to show the Bob Ney (R-OH-18) connection.

Via US Newswire, here is just an excerpt of the charges that Abramoff has agreed to plead guilty to (PDF):

“From in or about 1999 through in or about April 2004, defendant Abramoff, Scanlong and others, together and separate, provided a stream of things of value to a Member of the United States House of Representatives (”Representative #1″) and members of his staff, including but not limited to a lavish trip to Scotland to play golf on world-famours courses, tickets to sporting events and other entertainment, regular meals at defendant Abramoff’s upscale restaurant, and campaign contributions for Representative #1, his political action committee, and other political committees on behalf of Representative #1.”

According to the folks over at Fired Up America, as well as this AP story, that Bob Ney is the congressman implicated above. The information from the AP:

“One unidentified lawmaker agreed to support legislation sought by Abramoff, place statements supporting him in the Congressional Record — the official daily report on congressional proceedings, and give one of his clients a contract to provide wireless telephone service to the House of Representatives, the charges said.

That description matches actions taken by Ney, who inserted comments supporting Abramoff into the Congressional Record and who oversees routine matters like wireless service in congressional buildings as chairman of the House Administration Committee.”

More on the House wireless deal here at The Hill.

Nussle should give back tainted and corrupt cash

Published by
Chris Woods
November 29, 2005 in 2006 Elections, 2006 Governor's Race, Congress, Iowa politics, Nussle, Jim, Republicans and Tom DeLay. 3 Comments

Ed. Note: Cross-posted at Nussle Watch, a blog all Iowans should be reading at least once a week.

The Iowa Democratic Party issued a good demand today to Congressman Jim Nussle today:

“The Iowa Democratic Party calls on Congressman Jim Nussle today to return a $1,000 donation from the Friends of Duke Cunningham congressional campaign committee. Congressman Randall “Duke” Cunningham resigned yesterday after pleading guilty to charges of bribery and tax evasion.

“Once again, Congressman Nussle is connected to the culture of corruption in Washington that has become the trademark of the Republican Party. Will Jim Nussle once again refuse to return the campaign donation and separate himself from unethical behavior by his Republican colleagues?” said Iowa Democratic Party Chair Sally Pederson. “Iowans won’t stand for elected officials that put special interests and personal gain over high ethical standards.”

Cunningham pled guilty to conspiracy and tax evasion after accepting $2.4 million in bribes in return for political favors on behalf of a defense contractor. The Washington Post calls Cunningham’s case “the most brazen bribery conspiracy in modern congressional history.” [11/29/05]

The Iowa Democratic Party also called on Nussle to return campaign donations from former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, who is currently facing an indictment on money laundering charges. The Nussle campaign has refused.”

How long will it take for Iowa’s presumptive Republican candidate to finally face the facts and become an ethical man, unlike the rest of his corrupt GOP pals in Washington?

Does Iowa need a governor who’s taking money from Congressmen pleading guilty to or under indictment for federal offesnses? Of course not.

Jim Nussle: Quit being a corrupt Washington Republican. We don’t want your culture of crime and misdeeds in our state. Give back Cunningham’s money AND DeLay’s money. It’s what a true Iowan would do.

DeLay brings hackery to the courtroom

Published by
Chris Woods
October 21, 2005 in Congress, Republicans and Tom DeLay. 0 Comments

Evidently, Tom DeLay doesn’t feel he’ll get a fair trial from a Democratic judge, so he’s seeking a different judge, say, maybe even a Republican who’s contributed to him. Yeah, that’ll be fair and impartial, I’m sure. Next thing you know he’ll move to strike any Democrat on the jury.

“Rep. Tom DeLay appeared in court Friday for the first time since indictment, but arraignment on conspiracy and money laundering charges was delayed pending a hearing on his request for a new judge in the politically-charged case.
. . .
Inside the courtroom, Judge Bob Perkins told defense lawyer Dick DeGuerin that “the best way for me to handle” the request for a new judge would be to defer further proceedings.

That set the stage for a pointed exchange between the two men that seemed as much a campaign debate as a courtroom exchange.

In respectful tones, DeGuerin noted that Perkins had donated money to MoveOn.org, a liberal organization that he said has been “selling T-shirts with Mr. DeLay’s mug shot on it.”

I would have to say, in my professional blogger opinion, that DeGuerin’s thoughts would have more weight if they weren’t OUTRIGHT LIES.

But then again, I haven’t been to a panel or a conference on blogger ethics yet, so maybe I’m not the one to be bringint this up.

Does one usually smile in their mugshot? Tom DeLay does

Published by
Chris Woods
October 20, 2005 in Congress, Republicans and Tom DeLay. 1 Comment

The HammerUPDATE: Here’s the pic.

Adding insult to injury (instead of injury to injury, like Bill O’Reilly!), here is Tom DeLay’s mugshot, courtesy of The Smoking Gun.

Tom Delay Arrest Warrant

Published by
Chase Nordengren
October 20, 2005 in Republicans and Tom DeLay. 0 Comments

BBC:

“To any sheriff or peace officer of the state of Texas, greetings, you are hereby commanded to arrest Thomas Dale DeLay and keep him safely so that you have him before the 331st Judicial District Court of Travis County,” the warrant said.
…
Its negative impact on public relations could be considerable, our correspondent says.

The British have a penchant for understatement.

Tom DeLay indicted again

Published by
Chris Woods
October 3, 2005 in 2006 Elections, Congress, Ethics, Radical Right, Republicans and Tom DeLay. 0 Comments

Break out the champagne: Tom DeLay just got indicted for money laundering.

What a great time to be a Democrat.

Will Jim Nussle stop taking money from Tom DeLay now that he’s been indicted?

Published by
Chris Woods
September 28, 2005 in 2006 Elections, Congress, Ethics, Iowa politics, Radical Right, Republicans and Tom DeLay. 2 Comments

UPDATE: IDP press release with the same kind of theme can be found in the extended entry.

Today, I think it is time for all Iowans to ask Republican gubernatorial candidate Jim Nussle a very important question: Now that House Republican Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-TX-22) has been indicted and stepped down from his leadership position, will you promise to no longer accept contributions from him or his PAC, Americans for a Republican Majority (ARMPAC)?

According to FEC disclosure reports, in his 2004 re-election bid to Congress, Nussle accepted $10,000 from ARMPAC, the most closely aligned national PAC to Tom DeLay. In 202, Nussle received $5,000 from ARMPAC.

In the last three years, thats $15,000 from Tom DeLay, quite possibly the most crooked Republican serving in the United States House of Representatives.

Nussle has also served DeLay’s ethical lapses over the past decade in Congress and never publicly challenged him to clean up his act.

Iowan’s don’t need a surplus-wasting, budget-mismanaging politician for Governor. Iowans deserve a Democrat who will be honest and straightforward, a leader who isn’t shrouded in ethical and criminal investigations.

So, Congressman Nussle, will you face our challenge and clear yourself from any connections to Tom DeLay?

Or will you just continue to be another Washington Republican?

Continue reading ‘Will Jim Nussle stop taking money from Tom DeLay now that he’s been indicted?’

Put that in your pipe and smoke it: Tom DeLay indicted

Published by
Chris Woods
September 28, 2005 in Congress, Ethics, Radical Right, Republicans and Tom DeLay. 0 Comments

Tom DeLay will hopefully now be forced to eat shit and to step down from leadership position.

He just got indicted on a conspiracy charge.

UPDATE: Whacko CA Rep. David Dreier has been selected by Speaker Dennis Hastert to take over DeLay’s position, which according to GOP rules he must “resign” from…instead, according to CNN, he’s “temporarily stepping down.”

That, plus the fact that it appears the Sen. Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN) has been under SEC investigation since June of this year.

Washington Republican corruption is everywhere–from the bottom to the top. Prepare for 2006. These events could be the straw that breaks the camel’s back.

Cross your fingers

Published by
Chris Woods
September 27, 2005 in Congress, Ethics, Radical Right, Republicans and Tom DeLay. 0 Comments

I guess Tom DeLay still might be indicted thanks to everyone’s favorite little charge–conspiracy!

“A Texas grand jury’s recent interest in conspiracy charges could lead to last-minute criminal indictments — possibly against House Majority Leader Tom DeLay — as it wraps up its investigation Wednesday into DeLay’s state political organization, according to lawyers with knowledge of the case.

Conspiracy counts against two DeLay associates this month raised concerns with DeLay’s lawyers, who fear the chances are greater that the majority leader could be charged with being part of the conspiracy. Before these counts, the investigation was more narrowly focused on the state election code.

By expanding the charges to include conspiracy, prosecutors made it possible for the Travis County grand jury to bring charges against DeLay. Otherwise, the grand jury would have lacked jurisdiction under state laws.”

I’m crossing just about everything I own plus my fingers to make this come true.

It’s about time the asshole got what’s coming his way.

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