DeLay's fund-raising tactics for the groups -- his nickname is "The Hammer" -- have prompted a racketeering suit filed by the Democrats' House campaign committee alleging that DeLay's m.o crossed the line into illegality.
That's one reason why DeLay's stock in the House remains as high as it does.
So there's not a real consensus, because we have some of them that worked very, very hard for DeLay's campaign, and they're still supporting DeLay.
California Republican John Doolittle is wrapped up in the Abramoff affair, not only because he worked closely with the lobbyist and took donations from him, but because Abramoff's lobbying firm employed Doolittle's wife (as well as DeLay's).
Those indicted this week include Jim Ellis, one of Mr DeLay's leading political aides, John Colyandro, whom Mr DeLay chose to run Texans for a Republican Majority, and Warren Robold, a long-time DeLay fundraiser.
It doesn't help that Mr Abramoff's closest business partner, Michael Scanlon, was also Mr DeLay's former press secretary.
NPR's Wade Goodwyn visited the district to learn what voters think of DeLay's possible return to electoral politics.
It's interesting though, Renee, in the wake of, of Tom DeLay's problems and those surrounding Lobbyist Jack Abramoff, the Senate is expected to take up a couple of lobbying reform bills this week.
It's just the Republican primary for one seat in the House of Representatives: Tom DeLay's.
In DeLay's case, he presumably could seek to restore the House Ethics Committee to operating condition.
Ten days after DeLay's departure, it was the Democrats who faced an ethics problem.
One of those charges was related to DeLay's involvement in the Texas redistricting battles in 2003.
Yet even Mr DeLay's harshest critics find it hard to imagine Sugar Land ousting its hero.
ECONOMIST: Attack him, and he just gets meaner��and stronger
DeLay's honesty was especially compelling when compared to the denials offered by other conspirators.
DeLay's image in Washington is all ethical lapses and connections with big money lobbyists.
Even DeLay's friend and fellow Texas Republican Pete Sessions seemed to have been caught off guard.
So the Republican Party has appealed Judge Sparks' ruling that DeLay's name must stay on the ballot.
Meanwhile, three of Mr DeLay's aides are being investigated in Texas for the illicit use of campaign funds.
Representative LOUISE SLAUGHTER (Democrat, New York): He cannot impartially judge DeLay's dealings with Abramoff when he has his own.
Ms. MARY HUTCHET (Texas Republican): I've always been a fan of Tom DeLay's.
He decries DeLay's indictment on money laundering charges by a Texas grand jury.
Many Republicans are privately breathing a sigh of relief at Mr DeLay's departure.
In the view of some, DeLay's exit exposed Hastert as little more than the man behind the curtain in the Land of Oz.
Mr DeLay's personal ethics, rather than the Republican agenda, had become the issue and so he manfully decided to step aside.
At a downtown bank building, DeLay's leading challenger introduces himself to a meeting of the Fort Ben County Republican Women's Club.
So DeLay's name still is on the ballot in Houston's 22nd District.
Mr DeLay's indictment is not the only ethical problem hampering the Republicans.
Since the allegations arose about DeLay's travel, there have been questions about errors in travel reporting among more than 200 other members of Congress.
Instead Delay's frank admission of his role in the effort--delivered before the entire House Republican membership--earned him praise from fellow conservatives and moderates alike.
And with their hardball fund raising and campaigning for state seats that year, DeLay's operatives did in fact aid the election of a Republican majority.
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