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DeLay’s Third Act?

Josh Bolten, who’s just been tapped to replace Andy Card as White House Chief of Staff, reportedly wants an outsider to replace him at the Office of Management and Budget. The necessary qualification? Well, you might say he needs an expert at moving money around. Let’s see…

Sources said that he is considering former and current House members for the post. One associate even suggested that retiring Rep. Tom DeLay was being considered, though the most likely pick would be from a conservative budget association.

No word on whether DeLay would be allowed to fulfill his duties while sitting at the defense table during his trial in Texas.

(U.S. News)

Or, if not heading up the OMB, DeLay may be on to a rebirth as the leader of the Christian Right:

The new Tom DeLay will combine aspects of the Revs. Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell, and Lee Atwater, the late right-wing political consultant with the legendary killer instinct.

(Houston Chron)

Top Ethics Dem Takes Controversy Head-On

“Unlike fellow Democratic Rep. William Jefferson (La.), who also finds himself under federal investigation, [WV Rep. Alan] Mollohan is taking this controversy head on,” the Washington Post‘s Chris Cillizza says of the Appalachian lawmaker’s recent ethics troubles — a 500-page complaint filed with the Justice Department alleging numerous false financial disclosures. Mollohan has resisted calls from the GOP and outside groups to give up his seat as Ranking Member of the House Ethics committee; Cillizza calls that “a savvy move given the possibility of a serious reelection fight in the fall.” (WPost)

DeLay’s History with Big Oil

Raymond Learsy gives a rundown of DeLay’s impressive shilling for his oil industry contributors. (HP)

Phone Jamming – Why Is the RNC Footing Tobin’s Bill?

Yesterday, we mused on why the RNC might be so loyal to James Tobin, who was recently convicted for his role in the New Hampshire phone jamming. They’ve shelled out almost $3 million for his defense. We thought that was a mighty strong brand of loyalty.

But the Hotline’s Marc Ambinder rejoins that the RNC has some trade secrets they don’t want made public, and so they went to bat for Tobin to protect them. (TPMm, Hotline)

To Fund Tax Policy Ads, TX Gov Passes Hat to Big Business

In the middle of election season, Texas Gov. Rick Perry (R) is raising $6 million from businesses to pay for a series of ads touting one of his policy proposals. Opponents say it’s a weasely way to raise more money and get more airtime for his campaign — and it’s possibly illegal, to boot. (Houston Chronicle)

In Push for Power, TX Democrats Make DeLay Their Rallying Cry

Texas Democrats haven’t held a statewide office since 1998. But in the grinning visage of fallen House majority leader Tom DeLay (R-TX), Lone Star Dems think they finally have a symbol for the Republican party that Texans will vote against. (Boston Globe)

Abramoff, Guam, and the Marianas

A Guam professor has a positive spin on this whole Abramoff mess: if the islands had real representation in Congress, they wouldn’t need a dirty lobbyist. (Saipan Tribune)

In Other Muck

The New York Law Journal profiles Tom Campbell, the attorney who challenged DeLay in the March Republican primary and lost. He’s thrown his hat in the ring again….(NYLJ)

A California state candidate and his legislator wife have discovered scandal symbiosis — they siphon off cash from their campaign donations through the other’s consulting business. In five years, the two have stashed away over $138,000. . . (LA Times)

Covered Yesterday

Group Files Ethics Complaint against William Jefferson…(link)

Stoli Vodka Roped into Abramoff Scandal…(link)

Bilbray’s Bajagua Boondoggle…(link)

NH GOP Strategist Consulted Even More Lawyers on Election Eve…(link)

Defense Officials Pushed Biolab Bunk, Too…(link)

Rep. Charles Taylor’s (R-N.C.) Shilling for Abramoff – Why Has He Gotten a Free Ride?…(link)

GOP’s Bilbray in Runoff, but Ethics Questions Swirl…(link)

Fitzgerald Corrects Filing – Uranium Finding Wasn’t Said To Be “Key Judgment”…(link)

McClellan More Talk on Iran…(link)

Ney Saves the GOP’s Day on Ethics…(link)

RNC Foots New Hampshire Legal Bills – Because They’re Nice?…(link)

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