Despite criticism, DeLay undaunted

[Judi Lynn]

Dec. 19, 2004, 1:06AM

Despite criticism, DeLay undaunted
Personal skills and powerful allies help keep him at top of House
By GEBE MARTINEZ
Copyright 2004 Houston Chronicle Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON - There was a day last month, as Congress wrapped up its work for the year, when House Majority Leader Tom DeLay showed what it is about him that infuriates his political opponents — and also leaves them in awe.

During a news conference that morning, DeLay, R-Sugar Land, managed to turn the scrutiny of an ethics investigation away from himself and toward his Democratic accuser, Rep. Chris Bell of Houston.

Ignoring his three recent admonishments by the House ethics committee regarding potential abuse of power, partly based on Bell's complaint, a defiant DeLay instead pointed to the panel's finding that Bell broke House rules by exaggerating some claims.DeLay proclaimed himself exonerated and the victim of an attempt at political revenge. House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi of California called him "delusional."
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Next year, when the House votes on a national retail tax, a balanced budget amendment and other pet projects of House Republicans, DeLay will get the credit, said Rep. John Culberson, R-Houston.

"He's going to stay majority leader as long as he wants to be majority leader."
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http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/front/2953276
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