Anarchy and the UN

(Editor’s Note: The Carpetbagger Report, as regular readers know, has joined the Coalition for Darfur, a bi-partisan online initiative created to raise awareness and resources to address the crisis. This is the latest in a series of posts from the Coalition.) As Darfur descends into anarchy, the United Nations appears unable to do any more […]

Let’s be Blunt

All indications were the Rep. David Dreier (R-Calif.) had been tapped to serve as the (temporary) House Majority Leader now that Tom DeLay is under indictment. Now it appears the earlier reports may have been premature. In a surprising twist in the ongoing GOP power struggle, CNN is reporting that House Speaker Dennis Hastert will […]

Meet your new House Majority Leader

So, Tom DeLay is out and Rep. David Dreier (R-Calif.) will be, at least for now, the House Majority Leader. OK, so who’s David Dreier? Dreier has been in Congress for 25 years and isn’t known for much of anything. He worships free trade and tax cuts, and because his district includes a lot of […]

Testing the limits of partisan loyalty

Tom DeLay has given up his leadership post, at least for the time being, as his caucus’ rules mandate for a lawmaker under indictment. DeLay hasn’t resigned from Congress and, as far as he’s concerned, he’s planning to resume his duties after his trial. The impact on the House Republican caucus is entirely unpredictable at […]

Setting the record straight on Ronnie Earle

This shouldn’t be necessary, but it’s quickly becoming apparent that the principal line of defense for Tom DeLay is smearing Travis County DA Ronnie Earle. Again. This isn’t new, of course. Earle is a self-identified Dem, but he’s been a play-it-straight District Attorney. To accuse this guy of having some kind of personal/ideological vendetta against […]

White House not distancing itself from DeLay — yet

At least for the time being, the White House is (publicly) standing behind Tom DeLay, indictment and all. At the White House, press secretary Scott McClellan said the president still considers DeLay “a good ally, a leader who we have worked closely with to get things done for the American people.” “I think the president’s […]

DeLay indicted

It’s official — House Majority Leader Tom DeLay has been indicted on one count of criminal conspiracy by a Texas grand jury. More soon. Update 1: from the Austin American-Statesman A Travis County grand jury today indicted U.S. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay on one count of criminal conspiracy, jeopardizing the Sugar Land Republican’s leadership […]

Still equating criticism with treason

It’s been a couple of months since a high-profile Republican official accused Democrats of siding with the enemy in the war on terror, so I guess we were due. In June, it was Karl Rove. In September, it’s Sen. George Allen (R-Va.). On MSNBC’s Hardball last night, Allen and Chris Matthews teamed up on Sen. […]

Whom would Jesus punch?

I’m not a theologian, but I’m pretty sure there’s nothing in the New Testament about Jesus whipping and punching those with whom he disagreed. Then again, maybe Jerry Falwell has a less turn-the-other-cheek kind of Bible. (thanks to Eugene for the tip) During his September 25th sermon to his Thomas Road Baptist Church congregation, the […]

Wednesday’s political round-up

Today’s installment of campaign-related news items that wouldn’t generate a post of their own, but may be of interest to political observers: * Sen. Jon Corzine (D) continues to lead Doug Forrester in New Jersey’s gubernatorial race, but by how much depends on which poll you read. A Fairleigh Dickinson poll has Corzine up 10 […]