Originally published January 2 2006
Charges against Delay impact GOP planning strategies for 2006 elections
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
The outcome of the money laundering charges filed against former House majority leader Tom Delay will impact many decisions the Republican party makes in planning its election strategies for 2006.
Rep. Roy Blunt (news, bio, voting record), who assumed DeLay's duties when the Texan was charged, told reporters he would not oppose elections early next year for a permanent replacement if the rank and file wanted it.
A second member of the leadership, Rep. Tom Reynolds of New York, notified fellow Republicans he intends to remain as chairman of the House Republican Campaign Committee through the 2006 elections.
DeLay, who was forced to step aside temporarily as majority leader when charges were filed on Sept. 28, has made clear his intention of reclaiming the post if and when he is cleared --- as he consistently predicts will be the case.
Under House GOP rules, he is entitled to reclaim his leadership post once cleared of the charges, unless an election has been held to pick a permanent replacement in the meantime.
DeLay told a few reporters during the day that his attempts to clear his name are "ahead of schedule," and he expects a hearing before Christmas on a motion to dismiss the remaining charges for prosecutorial misconduct.
As for the internal House politics, he said, "There is no leadership election.
That is unusually late in the month, and two weeks after the Senate intends to be in session to debate the Supreme Court nomination of Samuel Alito.
They seek a change of venue out of Travis County, Texas; a separate trial from two co-defendants; and perhaps most significantly, the dismissal of charges on the basis of prosecutorial misconduct.
DeLay, who earlier won the recusal of the original judge in the case, won a partial legal victory on Monday when Judge Pat Priest threw out a conspiracy charge.
At the same time, Priest let money laundering charges stand, and a trial, if it is held, would likely be in January.
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