Republicans calling for elections to replace DeLay
Fri Jan 6, 2006
03:59 PM ET
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - About two dozen Republicans have promised to
sign a petition calling for elections to permanently replace Rep. Tom
DeLay as majority leader in the U.S. House of Representatives, aides
said on Friday.
"We have commitments for about 25 signatures. The letter calls for a
leadership election for a permanent majority leader," said Matthew
Specht, a spokesman for Rep. Jeff Flake, a conservative Arizona
Republican.
Fifty House Republican signatures are needed to call elections, which
would occur after the House reconvenes on January 31.
A source close to House Republicans, who asked not to be identified,
told Reuters that the signatures were being collected from conservative
and moderate Republicans. The source said Rep. Charles Bass, a New
Hampshire moderate, was working closely with Flake.
DeLay, a Texas Republican, was forced to resign as House majority
leader, the number-two leadership job, in September after he was
indicted in Texas on money laundering and conspiracy charges.
At the time, DeLay said the move was temporary and that he would return
to the majority leader job after he believed he would be cleared of the
accusations. DeLay said the felony charges were engineered by
Democratic opponents in Texas.
But more recently, DeLay's political future has been further clouded by
his association with convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff.
© Reuters 2006

From the Smoking Gun
Tom DeLay Mug Shot
Republican pol is booked on conspiracy, money laundering charges
________________________________________
DeLay was such a smug bastard, vowing that he'd soon be back to reclaim his throne in the House.
This is just desserts for this puffed-up peacock.
"But more recently, DeLay's political future has been further clouded by
his association with (stated "close friend") convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff."
Mom always said that whom one chooses to keep company with was a direct reflection on that person.
Boy, that Abramoff guy must be a real slimeball...
``Cyn