DeLay's lingering grip on power divides GOP

WASHINGTON — Former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay's efforts to retain power despite his indictment have angered some rank-and-file Republicans, many of whom say his ethical problems and uncertain status are staining them and destabilizing GOP unity.

Although he was forced to relinquish his leadership post Sept. 28, after the first of two indictments for alleged involvement in money laundering related to the 2002 Texas election, DeLay continues to use an office in the leadership suite, occasionally presides over private meetings with committee chairmen and lobbies members during key floor votes.

Also, the Texas Republican's staff continues to maintain the House schedule and dash off memos to lawmakers, ostensibly as employees of a majority leader's office without a full-fledged majority leader. And on his trips to the sheriff's office for an Oct. 20 booking in Houston and a court appearance in Austin on Oct. 21, DeLay was accompanied by three bodyguards from the Capitol Hill police force, just as he was when he was majority leader.

"My issue is having an indicted former leader hanging around the leadership offices," said one House Republican, who requested anonymity. "This guy did so much good work getting us into the majority. Why does he want to stick around? He's not helping us."

Rep. Christopher Shays, R-Conn., who called for DeLay's resignation from the House leadership even before his two indictments, said: "Tom DeLay should not be in a position of authority. He should not be calling the shots or driving the agenda, and if he is, that would be unfortunate."

Countering those are DeLay's ardent House supporters, dozens of whom now sport hammer-shaped lapel pins evoking DeLay's nickname, "The Hammer," to proclaim their allegiance. They say much of the discord is due to DeLay's departure from the leadership, not his continuing influence.

House Majority Whip Roy Blunt, R-Mo., has temporarily assumed the post of majority leader. But with DeLay actively engaged in leadership business, the leadership chain of command is confusing at best.

The indictment Friday of I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby has heightened concerns among some Republican lawmakers that they are approaching the 2006 midterm election under an ethical cloud. A poll released last week by the Pew Research Center for the People and the Press found that the Republican Party is viewed favorably by 42 percent of the population, while 49 percent view the GOP unfavorably.

"Ethics is everything," Shays said. "If you don't have a strong moral standing, if you don't have an ethical foundation, you just crumble."

DeLay's presence at a series of delicate talks on budget cutting last month with committee chairmen left some senior lawmakers dumbfounded, confused and even angry that a demand as sensitive as billions of dollars in spending cuts would come from a member without a leadership post or even a senior committee position.

DeLay remains intimately involved in setting legislative strategy, especially as the House drives to cut federal spending to help pay for a surge of hurricane relief. And he has continued his well-honed practice of rounding up votes on controversial measures that otherwise might not win House approval.

DeLay spokesman Kevin Madden said DeLay has maintained those roles at the request of House Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., and other House leaders. .