Salon
by Michael Scherer
09/29/05

At its height, the first great political machine of the 21st century worked like this: In Congress, Texas Rep. Tom DeLay controlled the votes like a modern-day Boss Tweed. He called himself 'the hammer.' His domain included a vast network of former aides and foot soldiers he installed in key positions at law firms and trade groups, a network that became called the 'K Street Project.' He gathered tithes in the form of campaign cash, hard and soft, and spread it out amongst the loyal. He legislated for favored donors. He punished those who disobeyed, and bought off those who could be paid. For a while, the whole operation seemed unstoppable. But the machine may now be coming to an end... [subscription or ad view required]

http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2005/09/29/delay/


Informant: Thomas L. Knapp