Tom DeLay Will Not Face Federal Criminal Charges

(2 pm. – promoted by ek hornbeck)

Only if You’re A Republican

Transcript available here

CREW: DELAY MUST ANSWER FOR HIS CRIMES

“It’s a sad day for America when one of the most corrupt members to ever walk the halls of Congress gets a free pass. As we continue the work of building a Washington that is worthy of the American people, the Justice Department’s decision not to prosecute Mr. DeLay for his actions sends exactly the wrong message to current and future members. The fact that Jack Abramoff, Bob Ney (R-OH) and former Interior official J. Steven Griles are the only three people who went to prison for one of the worst corruption scandals in congressional history is shocking. The Hammer belongs in the slammer. Mr. DeLay still has crimes to answer for in Texas – generally not considered the best place to be a criminal defendant.”

h/t Crooks & Liars

Contrast this with the conviction of former IL Gov Rod Blagojevich on lying to the FBI who will be retried on the other 23 counts that the jury could not decide and the pursuit of ethics charges in the House against Charles Rangel and Maxine Waters. Let’s not forget the millions that were spend investigating the Clintons and impeaching former President Bill Clinton.

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Atrios said it best:

The internets tell me jury hung on 23 counts, guilty verdict on 1 count of lying to FBI…

…adding that I didn’t follow the case or trial very closely, but from what I did see I’m not very surprised. Blago seemed to be more guilty of being clumsy than doing anything that politicians don’t do every day, just a bit more intelligently. That isn’t to say it’s right, but just that politics involves deals and it’s difficult to criminalize anything short of a clear bribe along the lines of “transfer $50,000 to my personal Swiss bank account and I will do this for you.

(emphasis mine)

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