The Daily Muck

Dems File Suit to Force DeLay’s Name to Stay on TX Ballot
Texas Democrats are pushing to keep Tom DeLay’s name on the Texas ballot in November. DeLay stayed in the race through the GOP primary, winning that contest before withdrawing from the race. The tactic was meant to ensure that the GOP could hand-pick his successor, but now Dems argue that he should be forced to finish what he started — even if he has already resigned his seat in Congress and announced he has no intention of serving again. The movement picked up a small win yesterday, when a judge issued a temporary restraining order on the process that would have officially removed DeLay’s name from the ballot. (AP)

First Volley Fired in War over Jefferson’s Committee Seat
The Democratic Steering and Policy Committee — a leadership-friendly panel which decides committee assignments — voted to boot Rep. William “Frozen Assets” Jefferson (D-LA) from his seat on the Ways and Means committee. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) had earlier pushed Jefferson to step down, but he didn’t budge; members of the Congressional Black Caucus have threatened retaliation if Pelosi moved against Jefferson. Let the fireworks begin? The deciding vote on the matter will be held next Thursday. (Roll Call, AP)

CBC Returns Fire in War over Jefferson’s Committee Seat
Following the panel vote to strip Jefferson of his committee seat, the head of the Congressional Black Caucus said publicly that some black voters might ask why action was sought against “a black member of Congress” when there was neither precedent nor rule for it, AP reports. “It’s about to blow up in their face,” Rep. Melvin Watt (D-NC) said of the move by the Democratic leadership. (AP)

So Much Travel in So Little Time
As chief of staff to then-House Majority Whip Tom DeLay, Susan Hirschmann spent months away from Capitol Hill, visiting exotic international locales while conferring with heads of state and staying at oceanside resorts — most of the time with her lobbyist husband in tow. The travel wasn’t cheap, but it cost her hardly a dime. Before leaving the Texas Republican’s office to join the lobbying firm of Williams & Jensen, Hirschmann accepted privately funded travel worth more than $85,000 from a host of corporations, associations and private interest groups, according to disclosure records for travel taken from January 2000 to June 2005. (CPI)

Lobbyists Tag Along on Civil Rights Tour
Seven times in the last nine years, the Faith and Politics Institute has taken a congressional contingent on what it calls a “civil rights pilgrimage” to Alabama. The institute, a nonprofit organization with its headquarters on Capitol Hill, takes participants to Birmingham, Montgomery and Selma. Guided by Lewis, a central figure in the 1960s civil rights movement, members of Congress and their aides gain perspective by visiting museums and memorials, taking part in silent processions and attending interfaith services. Congressional travelers are required to pay part of their expenses. An examination of records by the Center for Public Integrity, however, has found that a significant number of lobbyists also have taken the tour — gaining access to lawmakers in the process. (CPI)

Allegation: Contractor Who Blew Whistle on Lewis Faked Campaign Contributions
Two days ago, Tom Casey, CEO of now-defunct technology firm Audre Inc. told NBC and others how Rep. Jerry Lewis (R-CA) pressured him to use lobby firm Copeland Lowery. Now, a former Audre employee is accusing Casey of giving fraudulent campaign donations to Lewis and others. “If I was the federal government, I’d be investigating him,” the employee, Dirk Holland, told California’s Inland Valley Daily Bulletin. “I worked with him six years. He used to encourage employees to make campaign contributions, and the company refunded them. That’s illegal.” (Inland Valley (CA) Daily Bulletin)

Department of Homeland Security Plagued by Turnover
Under fire for its allocation of anti-terror funds, Department of Homeland Security is plagued by personnel turnover and vacancies, a document leaked this week shows. The department’s preparedness directorate has 196 unfilled positions, including budget analysts, a chief of staff, intelligence specialists, and an assistant secretary for cybersecurity and telecommunications. (Wash Wire)

GOP Arkansas Gov Candidate Turns $2,800 into $1 Million
Asa Hutchinson, the Republican candidate for governor, has turned $2,800 into $1 million as a founding shareholder in a company that went public with no revenues, products or employees — but with a stock offering that promised lavish profits for insiders risking tiny sums. (Ark. Democrat Gazette)

Ney Attacks Journalist for Being “D.C. Person”
Rep. Bob Ney (R-OH), angry over press coverage of his problematic ties to Jack Abramoff, fired off angry emails to Copley News reporter Paul Krawzak. “Go for it – harass my wife and daughter a little bit more big man – maybe I will take out an add talking about your ethics,” Ney wrote. (Ney’s “big man” may be a sarcastic reference to Krawzak’s 5′ 7″ stature, according to a news account of the emails.) Ney concluded: “Please-please-print this paul-you don’t care about ohio-i am sick of your crap. You are a d c person who couldn’t find ohio unless we gave you a map. You don’t give two shoots about our people.” (Copley News Service)