DNC Research on DeLay and House Republicans

[MaineDem]

For Immediate Release
October 2, 2005
Contact: Dag Vega - 202-863-8148

Despite Criminal Indictment, It's Business as Usual for Tom DeLay and House
Republicans

Washington, DC - This morning on Fox News Sunday, Tom DeLay asserted that he
will continue to do his job behind the scenes, continuing his "simpatico"
relationship with House Speaker Dennis Hastert.

During the interview, DeLay also continued to deny that he had anything to do
with the day-to-day operation of TRMPAC. However, internal TRMPAC emails and
memoranda demonstrate that Tom DeLay personally accepted checks on behalf of
TRMPAC, provided them with guidance from political strategists, and was
involved in finance committee meetings and fundraising events.

"It's appalling to hear that Tom DeLay plans to guide Republican strategy
behind closed doors and carry on the culture of corruption that is running
rampant in Washington today," said DNC Chairman Howard Dean. "We have to change
the way business is done in Washington. We need leadership that will focus on
the critical issues we are facing so we can rebuild America."

###

See below for a new document from DNC Research:

THE FIVE STAGES OF GRIEF: AFTER LOSING HIS LEADERSHIP POST, DELAY IS STUCK ON
DENIAL

I HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH IT
WALLACE: Let's get to the key question. How much did Tom DeLay know about this?
DELAY: As it was going on, nothing. I had nothing to do with the day-to-day
operation.

Except Tom DeLay Personally Accepted Checks on Behalf of TRMPAC. In an email to
Warren Robold, a TRMPAC supporter writes that he finally the 2 checks
from Reliant which he will deliver to TD next week probably. Maloney to Warren Robold, 9/4/02]

He Personally Provided TRMPAC With Assistance with Leading Strategists. In a
TRMPAC memorandum, DeLay is identified as an ardent advocate who is helping
TRMPAC by raising money, making phone calls, serving as a special guest at
events, and providing assistance with leading strategists. Another email from
John Colyandro to Jim Ellis and Warren Robold asks them to call someone working
on an upcoming fundraising event and tell him how important he is and how
important this is to TD.

And He Was Personally Involved in TRMPAC Finance Committee Meetings and
Fundraising Events. In an email to Warren Robold, John Colyandro, and Susan
Lilly, a TRMPAC supporter makes sure they know that DeLay will want to see a
list of attendees for an upcoming event at the Austin Club. In addition, DeLay
personally updated members of the TRMPAC Finance Committee on their efforts to
date and strategy for victory as well as calling Tim Milovich, CEO of Questerra
(a company that was later indicted in the TRMPAC scandal) to make sure he knew
about an upcoming TRMAPC Finance Committee Meeting. com to Warren Robold, Susan Lilly, and John Colyandro, 7/26/02; TRMPAC
Memorandum from Susan Lilly, 10/5/02; Fax Cover Page from Lilly and Company,
8/6/02]

ETHICS ADMONISHMENTS ARE JUST CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM?
DELAY: Admonishments are not sanctions handed out for violating the rules of
the house. That's the opinion of the committee as to what I've been doing* admonishment] is like a warning ticket*I took that as constructive criticism,
but it was not a sanction for violating the rules of the House.

ADMONISHMENT 1: DeLay Received Private Admonishment for Continuing with
Gingrichs K Street Project. In 1999, the House Ethics Committee sent a letter
to DeLay privately admonishing him for pushing the Electronics Industry
Association to hire former Rep. Bill Paxon (R-NY) as a lobbyist instead of
former Rep. Dave McCurdy (D-OK). The plan was part of DeLays push to load K
Street power lobbying firms with Republicans, which he re-launched in 2004,
despite being admonished for it by the Ethics Committee in 1999. 5/17/99, 3/12/01, 2/11/04; National Journal, 6/12/99, 5/5/01; St. Louis Post-
Dispatch, editorial, 7/27/01; Congressional Quarterly Weekly, 5/15/1999]

ADMONISHMENT 2: House Ethics Committee Admonished DeLay for Bribes for Votes.
DeLay violated House standard procedure and kept the 15-minute House vote on
Medicare open for 3 hours. Later on, the House Ethics Committee conducted an
investigation into whether DeLay threatened and bribed representatives into
voting the Medicare law, including a large contribution of $100,000-plus for
the campaign of the son of a member of Congress. 10/1/04; New York Times, 2/10/04]

ADMONISHMENT 3-A: Westar Traded Cash To DeLay in Exchange for Seat At The Table
During Energy Bill Negotiations. An energy company, Westar, gave more than
$56,000 in cash to DeLay for a seat at the table during energy bill
negotiations. As a result, language was added to a bill that specifically
benefited Westar. Memo, Suggested Campaign Contributions, 5/17/02]

ADMONISHMENT 3-B: DeLay Abused Leadership Position and Used Influence To Track
Private Airplane. DeLay abused his leadership position and used his influence
to direct the Department of Homeland Security track a private airplane carrying
Democratic members of the Texas legislature who were rebelling against a DeLay-
led Texas redistricting plan.

ADMONISHMENT 4, PENDING: Committee Will Decide Whether to Pursue Action Based
on TRMPAC. The House Ethics Committee deferred action on another complaint
dealing with DeLays fundraising group TRMPAC. A Texas grand jury in September
2004 indicted three of DeLay's political associates on charges of using TRMPAC
to illegally collect corporate donations and funnel them to Texas legislative
races. The ethics committee said it will take no action on the matter "pending
further action" concerning the indictments or the Texas-based investigation
that prompted them.

FIVE TIMES IS A CHARM: In Order to Prevent DeLay from Being Admonished Again,
House Ethics Chairman Replaced By Hastert. Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert
released Joel Hefley of his duties as Chairman of the House Ethics Committee
and appointed party loyalist Doc Hastings to the post. The House Republican
Caucus approved the measure. It was done because Mr. Hefleys time had run out,
said John Feehery, a spokesman for Mr. Hastert.

THE FINEST MEN HE'S KNOWN*ARE ALL UNDER INDICTMENT
DELAY: I do know that John Colyandro, Warren Robold, and Jim Ellis are the
finest men I've known. They are men committed to the cause of freedom in
America.

JOHN COLYANDRO - UNDER INDICTMENT. Colyandro was indicted on charges that he
circumvented the laws barring corporate campaign contributions in order to
orchestrate the successful GOP takeover of the Texas House. He is also charged
with making a corporate contribution in violation of the Texas Election Code
and with making a political contribution to a political party within 60 days of
an election in violation of the Texas Election Code. Colyandro faces 13 counts
of unlawful acceptance of a corporate political contribution. He and Warren
Robold have also been charged with conspiracy to violate both provisions of the
Texas Election Code.

WARREN ROBOLD - UNDER INDICTMENT. Warren Robold was indicted on charges that he
had circumvented Texas state laws barring corporate campaign contributions. He
is also charged with making a corporate contribution in violation of the Texas
Election Code and with making a political contribution to a political party
within 60 days of an election in violation of the Texas Election Code. He and
John Colyandro are also charged with conspiracy to violate both provisions of
the Texas Election Code.

JIM ELLIS - UNDER INDICTMENT. In 2004 Ellis was indicted on charges that he had
circumvented the laws barring corporate campaign contributions in his zeal to
orchestrate the successful GOP takeover of the Texas House. 9/15/05]

ONE TRUE STATEMENT: NOTHING IS GOING TO CHANGE
WALLACE: *This week, even though you had to step aside as Majority Leader*you
will keep a prominent role in the leadership*What does that mean?
DELAY: What that means is I get to continue my partnership with the Speaker*We
think the same. I mean, we -- we are simpatico, if you will.

WALLACE: Will you continue to raise millions of dollars?
DELAY: Absolutely.

WALLACE: And you think you'll be back in the leadership of the Republican
Party?
DELAY: *I can do my job with or without the title.

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