DeLay in Hot Water. . . or Hot Tub?
Former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay thought he’d help out the Republicans in his new home state of Virginia by recording an “robo-call” message to voters. âHello, this is Tom DeLay,” his message began. He mentioned how he battled Democratic Rep. Jim Moran (VA) for 14 years.
And then he added, âI recently re-registered to vote in Northern California.â Indeed, he has not; DeLay has registered to vote in Northern Virginia. But tell that to the legions of Virginians who now believe Tom DeLay is hot-tubbing in Sonoma.
Mmm. Tom DeLay hot tubbing. . . (Roll Call)
U.S. Challenges House Leaders on Searches
The latest volly in the court battle over the constitutionality of the FBI’s search of Rep. William Jefferson’s (D-lA)…. The Justice Department says that House leaders are seeking special treatment for lawmakers by arguing that it was unconstitutional to search Jefferson’s office. (AP)
Truthout Still Standing by Rove Indictment Story
When asked why he’d want to protect his sources at this point, reporter Jason Leopold responded: “That’s an excellent question. I’ve got to be honest. . . I don’t have an answer at this moment.”
GOP Moves to Capitalize on Rove’s All-Clear
The Republican National Committee sent a press release full of quotes from Democratic lawmakers headlined “Wrong Again: Prejudging Karl Rove Is Latest Example of Democrats’ Overheated Rhetoric and False Statements.” (LA Times)
House Gives Itself a Pay Raise
Heckuva job, reps! Amid some of the worst corruption scandals in modern memory, the House of Representatives voted to give each member a $3,300 pay raise. (AP)
Karl Rove’s Spokesman Denies Any Deal For Cooperation
From Greg Sargent of The Horse’s Mouth:
…as much as it pains me to be the messenger for this, [Rove’s spokesman Mark] Corallo adamantly declared that there was absolutely no deal of any kind.
“There were no conditions attendant to the prosecutor’s actions. There never has been any discussion about cooperation or conditions or anything of the sort. This strictly reflects the prosecutor coming to the correct conclusion that Rove has told the truth from day one. He believed him.”
Rove Exonerated; Blogosphere Implicated?
With his most famous client off the hook, attorney Bob Luskin goes after the folks who cried Guilty. (NYObserver)
Calif. City Considers Dropping Scandalized Lobby Firm
The City of Redlands may drop Copeland Lowery, amid an investigation into bribery and corruption on Capitol Hill. (SB Sun)
Earmark for CA Pool Raises Eyebrows, Objections
The town of Banning — in the district of House Approps Chair Jerry Lewis (R-CA) — would receive $1 million for a new swim center. (SB Sun)
California Congressman Issues VA Obscenity-laden Scolding
The obscenities come courtesy of Rep. Bob Filner (D-CA), who’s upset over the agency’s three-week delay in publicizing the burglary:
Two VA officials â Assistant Veterans Affairs Secretary Lisette Mondello and spokesman Matt Burns â also appeared and called the briefing a “publicity stunt,” leading to Filner’s blunt commentary.
“You guys fââ- it up,” Filner declared. “Stop covering your aâ and figure it out.”
Fewer Earmarks from House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee
“According to a committee spokesperson, several factors are at play. There is a conscious effort to reduce earmarks in appropriations bills because they have become highly controversial, but also there has been a drop in funding for the Pentagon and a consequent decline in member projects.” (The Hill)
Phone Jammer Tobin asks First Circuit to Grant Bail Pending Appeal
James Tobin wants to stay out of prison until his appeal is decided, which could be as long as a year. (SMP)
DeLay’s Last Meal, Courtesy of Anti-Corruption Funder
When his pals took him out for a celebratory goodbye dinner before he left Washington, DeLay dined at Le Paradou — owned by Michael R. Klein, the wealthy financier who’s backing the anti-corruption group, the Sunlight Foundation. (WPost)
Famed Lawyer William Hundley Dies at 80
Hundley’s most recent famous client was Kyle “Dusty” Foggo, the former #3 at the CIA. (NY Times)
Waxman Asks for Congressional Investigation of Rove
Congressman Henry Waxman (D-CA) wants a Congressional investigation into Karl Rove’s involvement in the CIA leak scandal. (Raw Story)
Defense Lawyers Shut out by New Secrecy
“Court secrecy is getting tighter across the nation as the government wages war on terrorism, lawyers say.”
Lewis Hires Legal Team Amid Investigation
The team, from Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, LLP, includes former Solicitor General Ted Olson; Robert Bonner, who once led the U.S. attorney’s office in Los Angeles and was once head of Customs and Border Protection; Mel Levine, a former Democratic congressman from California; and Joseph Warin, a former federal prosecutor.
