DeLay’s Ethical Lapses A Problem For Conservatives

Even with a testimonial dinner in his honor, not only is Tom DeLay in trouble, but as this press release from Melanie Sloan, executive director, Citizens For Responsibility And Ethics in Washington (CREW) points out, it is a problem for conservatives in Washington also. The "let’s change the topic" event tonight masquerading as a dinner to celebrate Tom DeLay is a lot like putting lipstick on a pig. The fact that Grover Norquist - DeLay's unindicted co-conspirator - had to buy 5 tables, at $2,000 a piece, to fill the place up is proof enough that Mr. DeLay’s ethical lapses are not only a big problem for him and his future, they are even a bigger problem for the conservatives in this nation’s capital. Even those who took money from Mr. DeLay, such as Representative Melissa Hart, now say that the organizers were confused and that she never intended to go to the event. We think Ms. Hart is right. The organizers are confused and might we dare say, delusional. If they are aiming to put Mr. DeLay’s best face forward, they missed their opportunity. His best face has long since disappeared under a slew of ethics violations. The organizer’s best strategy to take a first step in correcting these injustices may be in fact to have another event, such as fund-raiser, to benefit all of the Indian tribes that Mr. DeLay and his close friend Jack Abramoff defrauded or perhaps to help out the sweatshop workers from Saipan. Certainly they would be a worthier cause tonight. For more information on CREW please contact Naomi Seligman by phone at 202.588.5565 or press@citizensforethics.org.