Cheney and DeLay: A Scandal-Plagued Reunion
Washington, DC - Today, Vice President Cheney is flying into Houston, Texas for a high dollar fundraiser for indicted former Republican House Leader Tom DeLay.
This event comes after today's story in USA Today that Vice President Cheney has become the "Velcro veep" and that Vice President Cheney is a central player in most all of the Administration’s problems, including the investigation of the illegal leaking of CIA agent's identity during a time of war and the possible manipulation of pre-war intelligence. Despite these issues Cheney continues to stay the course and refuses to answer questions or admit mistakes made by himself or the Bush Administration. [USA Today, 12/5/05]
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."
The Scandal-Plagued Vice President...
Cheney's Chief of Staff Indicted. Vice President Dick Cheney's chief of staff, Lewis "Scooter" Libby, was indicted in late October "on charges of lying to the grand jury in the CIA leak investigation, adding to the political woes of a White House still under investigation. 'It's not over,' special prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald told reporters after a federal grand jury returned a five-count indictment against Libby, who has shaped the Bush administration's national security policies and was Cheney's partner behind the scenes in making the administration's case for the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Although the term of the grand jury that handed down the indictments against Libby expired Friday, Fitzgerald said he would use another grand jury 'to consider other matters,' if necessary. Fitzgerald led a grand jury's 22-month investigation into whether White House officials illegally disclosed the identity of a CIA operative, Valerie Plame, the wife of retired diplomat Joseph Wilson, who accused the administration of twisting intelligence about Iraq's nuclear ambitions." [Austin American-Statesman (Texas), 10/29/05]
Libby Tried to Protect Cheney By Concocting Story About CIA Leak. "[Cheney Chief of Staff, I. Lewis "Scooter"] Libby, according to Fitzgerald's indictment, gave a false story to agents and, later, to a grand jury, even though he knew investigators had his notes, and presumably knew that several of his White House colleagues had already provided testimony and documentary evidence that would undercut his own story ... Even some White House aides privately wonder whether Libby was seeking to protect Cheney from political embarrassment. One of them noted with resignation, 'Obviously, the indictment speaks for itself.' In addition, Cheney also advised Libby on a media strategy to counter Plame's husband, former ambassador Wilson, according to a person familiar with the case." [Washington Post, 11/13/05]
And The Scandal-Plagued Former House Majority Leader
DeLay and Associates Indicted on Money Laundering and Conspiracy Charges. Former Republican House Majority Leader Tom DeLay was charged with money laundering and conspiracy for funneling nearly $200,000 in illegal corporate campaign contributions to Texas Republican candidates. A Travis County, TX court handed down 32 felony indictments of eight corporations and three political associates connected to DeLay. The indictments accuse Jim Ellis, John Colyandro and Warren RoBold of violating the Texas Election Code. [Fort Worth Star Telegram, 9/26/04; Congressional Quarterly, 10/1/05; Fort Worth Star-Telegram (Texas), 10/21/05]
DeLay's Political Action Committee Laundered $190,000 in Corporate Contributions to Give to Republican Candidates in Texas. Internal documents showed that six corporate donations totaling $190,000 were made to Tom Delay's political action committee, Texans for a Republican Majority (TRMPAC). According to the Washington Post, TRMPAC Director, John Colyandro sent $190,000 in one lump sum to the RNC's Republican National State Elections Committee. Jim Ellis, the director of DeLay's national PAC, Americans for a Republican Majority, "delivered the check to the RNC and gave the committee a list of names and the check amounts, totaling $190,000, to be mailed back to the Texas legislative candidates in noncorporate money." But, for more than a century it has been illegal, in Texas, to use corporate or union money to fund a political campaign. [Washington Post, 3/4/05; San Antonio Express News, 3/5/05]
Jack Abramoff Is DeLay's "Right-Hand Man"; Abramoff now Indicted. "Mr. Abramoff described the bond this way: 'We [DeLay and Abramoff] are the same politically and philosophically. Tom's goal is specific -- to keep Republicans in power and advance the conservative movement. I have Tom's goal precisely." Abramoff was indicted on wire fraud charges and his connections to Members of Congress. [New York Times, 4/3/02; Washington Post, 8/11/05; Newsweek, 6/8/05]
