Tom DeLay has just gotten some good news and bad news.
The GOOD NEWS is that one felony indictment was dismissed. The BAD NEWS is that another one wasn’t — and it probably means his dream of being majority leader is as alive as Michael Jackson’s hopes of making a big musical career comeback:
A senior district judge today dismissed one felony indictment but upheld another against U.S. Rep. Tom DeLay, dashing DeLay’s hopes for a speedy resolution to his case.
A quick ruling in DeLay’s favor from senior state District Judge Pat Priest throwing the case out of court was crucial to the Sugar Land Republican’s efforts to regain his post as U.S. House majority leader. He was forced to step down when he was indicted in September.
Priest dismissed charges of conspiracy to violate the state election code but upheld a money laundering indictment against DeLay and two of his associates: Jim Ellis and John Colyandro. They were charged in connection with spending corporate money in the 2002 legislative races.
DeLay spokesman Kevin Madden portrayed the ruling as a major legal victory over Travis County District Attorney Ronnie Earle.
“The court’s decision to dismiss a portion of Ronnie Earle’s manufactured and flawed case against Mr. DeLay underscores just how baseless and politically motivated the charges were,” Madden said.
“Mr. DeLay is very encouraged by the swift progress of the legal proceedings and looks forward to his eventual and absolute exoneration based on the facts and the law,” Madden said.
Priest had told DeLay’s lawyers last month that if he upheld either of the indictments, he would be unable to hold a trial for DeLay before early next year.
House Republicans have indicated they wanted to hold a leadership election in January if DeLay was not cleared by then.
The political handwriting seems on the wall for DeLay in terms of what he’ll be doing the next few months. And House Republicans can, if nothing else, read handwriting on walls.
So what’s the big deal? It’s a boring legal case, right? Not exactly: because the news cycle is going to not only be dominated by news of the count NOT dismissed but of someone — you guessed it — named Dick Cheney going to a political fundraiser to raise money for DeLay:
Vice President Dick Cheney is scheduled to headline a GOP fundraiser for embattled Texas Congressman Tom DeLay Monday in Houston.
The event had been planned for September, but was delayed because of Hurricane Rita.
Top-dollar tickets reportedly sold for $4,200 and those who pay the price will get a spot in a VIP reception and a photo with the Vice President.
But the BIG photo op will be of Cheney being AT the fundraiser. And what does THAT mean? Cheney is — once again — providing the very worst imagery for the GOP. To be sure, there are many Republicans who will defend DeLay…but there are also some that will want to keep a distance because the DeLay story is going to reinforce perceptions that the GOP has grown arrogant and corrupt in power. Will the Democrats pounce on this? They already are. Here’s part of a DNC press release:
Facing ongoing scandals, the Vice President seems to be in good company today with former Republican House Leader Tom DeLay who has been busy soliciting campaign cash for his re-election.
“It is hard to tell which is worse: a Congressman flying in a scandal-plagued Vice President to raise money or a Vice President raising money for a scandal-plagued Congressman facing two indictments?” said Democratic National Committee Communications Director Karen Finney. “With both Republican leaders facing scandals and sinking public approval, apparently the only company Cheney and DeLay can keep is their own.
“Instead of continuing with business as usual, Cheney and DeLay should join Democrats in working towards an ethical government which upholds the values of the American people above those of special interests. Together, America can do better.”
Yes, that’s classic political spin language. And it’s true that DeLay has NOT been convicted of anything yet. But perception is often reality in politics and it’ll be imagery poison. Just watch the Today Show and other programs tomorrow morning. And, once again, Dick Cheney will be at the center of it.