I was busy all day, sorry if this is a dupe, but I was shocked it was not at the top of the greatest page when I checked on DU???!!!
Maybe I just get too excited about these things. Anyone Else?
DeLay Faces Trial After Motion to Dismiss Rejected (Update2)
Dec. 5 (Bloomberg) -- A Texas judge declined to dismiss money-laundering charges against Representative Tom DeLay, paving the way for a criminal trial and preventing the lawmaker from reclaiming his post as U.S. House majority leader for now.
Judge Pat Priest rejected motions by DeLay's lawyers to drop all the charges. He dismissed allegations of conspiracy to violate the election code, saying that crime wasn't yet illegal. A spokesman for DeLay, his lawyer Dick DeGuerin and prosecutor Ronnie Earle weren't immediately available for comment.
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000087&sid=a7eu6iSONWTs&refer=top_world_news# A judge "dismissed one felony indictment but upheld another" against Rep. Tom DeLay (R- TX), "dashing DeLay's hopes for a speedy resolution to his case," the Houston Chronicle reports. A quick ruling in DeLay's favor" was crucial to the lawmaker's "efforts to regain his post as U.S. House majority leader. He was forced to step down when he was indicted in September."
"House Republicans have indicated they wanted to hold a leadership election in January if DeLay was not cleared by then."
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/3504045.htmlThat is an unfortunate number for Mr. DeLay. According to Gallup, his reelect number in his own district -- Texas 22nd -- is down to 36%.
49% says they're more likely to vote for the Democratic challenger.
52% of DeLay's constituents have an 'unfavorable' impression of him.
Those numbers aren't insurmountable for a pol more than willing to go thermonuclear on anyone who runs against him. But they ain't good. Not good at all.
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/