Wednesday, September 28, 2005

From a USA Today Article about the DeLay Indictment


Q: What does the indictment accuse DeLay of?

A: The indictment depicts a conspiracy among DeLay and two political associates, James Ellis and John Colyandro, to funnel political contributions from corporations to candidates for the Texas Legislature. Texas, like many states and the federal government, prohibits corporations from donating to political campaigns to prevent the appearance of undue influence on policymaking . . . .

Q: What was DeLay's role?

A: The indictment leaves that unclear. It states that the three men entered into an agreement to carry out the scheme in September 2002, but it does not provide any evidence.

Q: What was the plan's purpose?

A: To ensure Republicans would control the Legislature so they could be in charge of redrawing the map of U.S. House districts in Texas after the 2002 elections.

Q: Did it work?

A: Yes. Republicans gained control of the Legislature and the GOP gained five U.S. House seats in the new map, bolstering the party's majority in Washington.
In other words, people . . . er . . . ahem . . . voted . . . for the candidates?

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