House Republicans should hold DeLay to common standard
"No man is above the law, and no man is below the law."
- Tom DeLay in 1998 discussing Bill Clinton's impeachment
The Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives have another chance to follow Tom DeLay's wise words.
DeLay was re-indicted Monday in Texas on first-degree felony charges of money laundering and conspiracy. He faces a maximum sentence of life in prison for his alleged role in funneling corporate donations to candidates favored by TRMPAC, the political action committee he helped found.
He was stripped of his position as House majority leader in the wake of the indictments, the latest in a string of setbacks for the former exterminator known for his strong-arm tactics, dubious ethics and combustible rhetoric.
His indictments come at a time of ethical crisis for the GOP, whose return to prominence in the 1990s was engineered in part by DeLay, dubbed "The Hammer" for his unflinching effectiveness as House majority whip.
DeLay's undeniable success - even desultory Democrats are beginning to adopt his hardline tactics - obviously does not in any way pardon his ethical infractions. What is needed and is incumbent upon House Republicans is to adhere to the position presciently advocated by DeLay during the Clinton impeachment hearings, without regard to political affiliation.
Despite the recent spate of bad publicity, the GOP power structure that DeLay helped build is likely to remain in power for quite some time, premature predictions by Democrats to the contrary. However, Republicans would set an ominous precedent and greatly undermine their party's reputation as the party of personal responsibility by letting DeLay off the hook.
At a time when many citizens are skeptical of government officials, believing them corrupt and indifferent to the issues besetting "real Americans," allowing a twice-indicted man with a history of shady dealings to escape any sort of punishment and return to a high position would confirm this cynicism and cripple the credibility of Republican claims of integrity.
Further, if the House declines to punish DeLay, opposition to future unwarranted clemency will be greatly reduced. By failing to discipline DeLay now, House members won't be nearly so apprehensive about doing the same for someone else later on.
DeLay hasn't been convicted yet. He hasn't broken any federal laws. However, his history of coercing cooperation and the high rhetorical standard quoted above should not be lost on House Republicans. If Tom DeLay cannot or will not hold himself to this standard, then the task falls on his colleagues to do so.
After all, whether one is red or blue, the law is black and white.
Opinions Board
Opinions are determined by the Wildcat opinions board and written by one of its members. They are Ryan Johnson, Damion LeeNatali, Aaron Mackey, Mike Morefield and Tim Runestad.