christian grantham
Christian Grantham was a student activist in the late 90s and later was a consultant to domestic policy forums for the Clinton Administration as well as events for HRC and GLAAD.
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January 04, 2005

I'm really happy with those Republicans who stood up to Republican House Majority Leader Tom DeLay's arrogant attempt to lower ethical standards in Congress to suit his personal politics. When faced with the prospects of stories of indicted colleagues and felonious criminal conduct in Texas gaining more attention with dissenting Republicans, DeLay decided to join the Speaker of the House to keep the rule on indicted House leaders.

The story below says Delay expressed confidence he would not be indicted. I wonder how confident he was that his colleagues would escape indictment by a grand jury on felony charges? It is a matter of time before DeLay's direct involvement in felonious criminal activity 1) has him indicted on multiple felonies, 2) has him lose his Republican party leadership position in disgrace, 3) finds him in court defending criminal behavior, 4) finds him serving time in prison and/or paying fines and 5) has him smearing the Republican party for his own personal gain.

Is this the kind of man the Republican party wants to protect and have power within the party and in Congress? Bravo to those Republicans who said "no," and shame on those Republicans whose silence continues to give this political thug cover. Read the "Scandal" thread for a history of posts about Tom DeLay.

The sudden reversal came amid growing indications of dissension within the GOP. Just before House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert's office announced that the measures were being dropped, the chairman of the House ethics committee issued an unusual statement denouncing the leadership's plan.

Rep. Joel Hefley (Colo.), who appeared on the verge of being forced out as chairman after his committee voted three times last year to admonish DeLay, issued a statement criticizing the proposed rule changes as highly partisan and not in the best interests of the House. "Ethics reform must be bipartisan and this package is not bipartisan," Hefley said in the statement after sending Republican colleagues a letter outlining his objections.
[GOP Abandons Ethics Changes - Washington Post - 01-04-05]