The Nation
by Ari Berman

09/28/05

The Republican Party's once copious political capital is quickly eroding. As we go to press, House majority leader Tom DeLay has just been indicted by a Texas grand jury on one count of criminal conspiracy in a fast-moving money-laundering case. 'I have notified the speaker that I will temporarily step aside from my position as majority leader,' DeLay said in a statement following the stunning final day of the grand jury's term. The Republican Party's go-to guy, famously nicknamed 'The Hammer,' finally got whacked. ... DeLay's modus operandi -- the ruthless accumulation of money and favors to benefit corporate interests and far-right Republicans -- may ultimately secure his demise. In essence, he got caught for doing business as usual...

http://www.thenation.com/doc/20051017/berman


Informant: Thomas L. Knapp