Common Cause has joined onto Chris Bell's ethic complaint filed against DeLay few weeks back, and has been aggressively calling for an
outside counsel. Think DeLay isn't feeling the heat? Common Cause and had a Citizens for Responsibity & Ethics held a press conference a few days ago, when tow DeLay staffers barged in and disrupted the scene. The goons were so sloppy with their research on Common Cause that they thought CC's Mary Boyle was the same Mary Boyle as the former Democratic Nominee for US Senate from Ohio, which isn't the case. Tom DeLay is feeling the heat from the investigation, and he's feeling heat from the Democratic candidate in the 22nd CD of Texas. Richard Morrison has done a fantastic job at engaging netroots fundraising and raising his profile in the contest. DeLay is now actively campaigning in the district, holding Town Hall meetings, and so forth. As the recent poll numbers show, this is still a double-digit race, but in terms of the wider picture, having heat on DeLay is more than just a passing distraction for the Republican.
As earlier reported in the blogosphere, some of the members of the ethical committee recieved financial contributions from DeLay, as reported today in the
Dallas Morning News:
House Majority Leader Tom DeLay's political action committee gave $81,077 in the last decade to 10 Republicans who could be asked to investigate allegations that the Texas lawmaker misused his office.
It's not unusual for leaders of both parties in Congress to form political committees that contribute to rank-and-file lawmakers. And when allegations of impropriety arise, those donations can present potential conflicts.
Four of the five Republicans on the ethics committee, which is weighing whether to launch a formal investigation of Mr. DeLay, also received donations from his Americans for a Republican Majority PAC.
The The committee has until Sept. 20 to decide whether to persue the investigation.
Update (Chris): Delay is in trouble for re-election as well. In the diaries, Red Meat Democrat points out, via Burnt Orange Report, that Delay is under 50 and only ten points ahead of his challenger, Richard Morrison.
