Republicans not eager for DeLay to come back
None are speaking publicly, but the prospect of his return as majority leader is making many uncomfortable.
Jonathan Weisman, Washington Post
Last update: December 3, 2005 at 5:57 PM
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WASHINGTON - Widening corruption scandals in Washington are heightening Republican sentiments for a GOP leadership shake-up early next year that would permanently replace former Majority Leader Tom DeLay, R-Texas, according to House members and GOP leadership sources.
Many Republicans say they are troubled that DeLay's political money-laundering trial in Texas could drag on for months, leaving the question of leadership in limbo. But with few members willing to publicly challenge DeLay's return, leadership aides still give the lawmaker a strong shot at a comeback, provided a Texas court exonerates him of charges that he illegally funneled corporate campaign contributions to state legislative candidates. Much will depend on whether DeLay can get the case thrown out or win acquittal by the time Congress convenes Jan. 30 for President Bush's State of the Union address, some GOP lawmakers and aides say.
"No question, there's considerable discontent in the conference about DeLay's return, but nobody's talking on the record," said a House Republican political strategist who spoke on the condition of anonymity for fear of crossing DeLay, should he return. "If he beats this rap in Austin, he will be back as majority leader, because nobody's going to tell him no."
DeLay was forced to step down as majority leader in September immediately after his indictment. House Majority Whip Roy Blunt, R-Mo., assumed the majority leader's post on a temporary basis. It is a measure of DeLay's lingering power on Capitol Hill that a dozen interviews on DeLay's future elicited almost no named responses -- either from DeLay allies or from lawmakers and congressional aides ready to see him replaced.
The issue of DeLay's future could come to a head as soon as Tuesday, when Texas District Judge Pat Priest said he will rule on a motion by DeLay's lawyers to dismiss the conspiracy and money-laundering charges. If Priest dismisses the case, DeLay will immediately inform Hastert and House Republican Conference Chairman Deborah Pryce, R-Ohio, that he intends to reclaim his title as majority leader, DeLay spokesman Kevin Madden said.
If the charges are not dismissed, DeLay's lead lawyer, Dick DeGuerin, will simultaneously press to have the case moved out of Austin, a Democratic bastion in Texas, to a venue with a more sympathetic jury pool and for a speedy trial that would begin in early January. |
