Tom DeLay Support Weak, Integrity Weaker

Daily Kos -- I've gotten my hands on some polling data from the district, and it's surprisingly poor for DeLay.

His Approval/Disapprovals are 44/48. On the reelect question, 36 percent would definitely vote for him, 27 percent would consider someone else, and 27 percent would definitely vote for someone else.

53 percent of respondents were pro-choice, with only 34 percent following DeLay's strict anti-choice line.

This is a partisan poll (though not from Democratic candidate Morris), so I was a bit suspicious. So I did a bit of digging around, and there does appear to be a bit of DeLay fatigue in the district. The redistricting battle, while a massive victory for DeLay and the GOP, took a toll on his popularity. And the Earle investigation in Austin -- the one that threatens to indict DeLay -- has also garnered him repeated bad press. And let's not forget the aides who got caught billing Indian tribes $45 million for lobbying.

Although the Houston Chronicle plays it the other way, the investigations into DeLay and his corporate Pacs is heating up and expanding. The Feds are investigating as well as Austin.

Two More Citizen groups want Travis County investigation into DeLay

The request filed Friday by Public Citizen and Common Cause of Texas follows a report by the Houston Chronicle that the state Republican Party transferred its corporate donations to a federal committee it runs and designated all general election expenses as administrative.

Texas law prohibits political parties from spending corporate or labor union money on anything other than running a party primary, paying for a convention or administrative expenses. Parties also are required to spend those funds through a separate, restricted account.

DeLay has set up several charities to funnel soft money to party blowouts and investigations are also in the works for those.

"Several watchdog groups have asked the Internal Revenue Service and the House Ethics Committee to look into whether Celebrations for Children Inc., a group set up by House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, crosses the line.

"Those donating $500,000 to the group receive tickets to Broadway shows during the Republican Convention in late August and early September, tee times at golfing events, yacht cruises and a chance to dine privately with the House majority leader and his wife.

"DeLay, R-Texas, has said the event is intended only to benefit a good cause. But critics say it is an end-run around the McCain-Feingold ban on unregulated "soft money" contributions and buys valuable face time with a man who has the power to decide whether legislation lives or dies in the House. "

International Hearald Tribune - Charity as a political dodge