Tancredo said that from a political perspective, DeLay has handled the
ethics issue "stupidly."
"I don't think we should try to oust him," he said in an interview
Thursday at the Capitol.
"Right now, I would not encourage him to leave. If he chose to resign
as majority leader until these matters are resolved, that's probably
not the worst idea."
The only other Republican House member to suggest that DeLay step
aside has been a moderate, Chris Shays of Connecticut.
Tancredo would be the first fellow conservative to come close to such
a suggestion, although he and the powerful Texan are not political
allies.
Meanwhile, 10 former GOP members of Congress, including one from
Colorado, joined in a letter to the House leadership to say they
believe that ethics rules were revised this year in an "obvious effort
to protect" DeLay from investigation and that the changes needed to be
reversed "to restore confidence in the people's House."
The letter, to be presented today to House Speaker Dennis Hastert,
offers no conclusion about the validity of ethics controversies
surrounding DeLay but says "the consensus in our respective districts"
is that "the previous admonitions to Mr. DeLay for casting discredit
on the House were well-merited."
It was signed by former House members James Johnson of Colorado, Mark
Andrews of North Dakota, John Buchanan of Alabama, M. Caldwell Butler
of Virginia, Paul Findley of Illinois, Bud Hillis of Indiana, Richard
Mallary of Vermont, Wiley Mayne of Iowa, Pete McCloskey of California
and G. William Whitehurst of Virginia.
DeLay spokesman Dan Allen dismissed any call for DeLay to step aside
but said the congressman wants to meet with ethics- committee leaders
to discuss the allegations.
Colorado's other House Republicans have differing views.
Rep. Bob Beauprez of Arvada said DeLay shouldn't step down. Spokesman
Jordan Stoick said Beauprez "thinks the majority leader should be
given the same due process afforded every other person in this
country."
Rep. Joel Hefley of Colorado Springs won't talk about calls for DeLay
to step down, but he has already tangled with DeLay.
As ethics committee chairman, Hefley chastised DeLay for three
infractions.
After that, House leaders changed the ethics rules to make it harder
to initiate an investigation.
Hefley and Shays are the only Republicans supporting a resolution
reversing the rules changes.
In addition to the ethics scolding, a Texas prosecutor has indicted
three DeLay associates for fundraising activities and hasn't ruled out
indicting DeLay.
The Justice Department and other agencies also are investigating two
former DeLay associates - lobbyists Jack Abramoff and Michael Scanlon
- who billed Indian tribes $82 million in lobbying and
public-relations fees.
And foreign trips taken by DeLay and paid for by private interests
also have come under scrutiny.
A spokesman for Rep. Marilyn Musgrave of Fort Morgan did not respond
to the question.
Musgrave and Beauprez have each received $10,000 from DeLay's
Americans for a Republican Majority political action committee.
From The Denver Post, 4/15/05:
http://www.denverpost.com/Stories/0,1413,36%257E11676%257E2817542,00.html
Tancredo: DeLay exit not bad idea
By Mike Soraghan
Denver Post Staff Writer
Washington -
Rep. Tom Tancredo says it is "probably not the worst idea" for
embattled House Majority Leader Tom DeLay to step down while he deals
with ethics allegations.
_________________________________________________________________
Buh, bye, Insect.
Harry
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