Travis County DA says Craddick not off hook

[0007]

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/politics/3374388

Earle says he'll evaluate evidence surrounding the state House speaker
By JANET ELLIOTT
Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle Austin Bureau

AUSTIN - Texas House Speaker Tom Craddick wasn't indicted Wednesday but the Travis County district attorney refused to clear him in an ongoing investigation into money-raising surrounding Craddick's ascendancy to speaker after the 2002 elections.

"We're going to continue to evaluate the evidence that we have, seek whatever evidence that we need that we can seek and evaluate the results," said District Attorney Ronnie Earle.

Although the grand jury that indicted Craddick's friend, U.S. Rep. Tom DeLay, R-Sugar Land, ended its work Wednesday, Earle said it's "entirely possible" that another grand jury could be convened.

Craddick's office said he would not comment on the indictment of DeLay, who was front and center.

enter in the Texas House chamber in January 2003 when Craddick was sworn in as speaker.

[PDittie]

1. This grand jury has finished its

term. A new grand jury (which, if I'm not mistaken) wouldn't be impaneled until after the first of the year, and thus this matter wouldn't be taken up until then.

Not sure what Earle is thinking. Maybe he's just letting the Speaker twist in the wind a bit. ;)

You ought to cross-post this in the Texas forum, incidentally.

[0007]

2. Do you think that Craddick may turn on DeLay to save his

own career?

[gratuitous]

3. If Craddick is considering turning on DeLay

He should sit down and think long and hard. DeLay may be wounded, heck he may even be finished. But like the Balrog plunging into the abyss in Lord of the Rings, DeLay still has weapons that he can use to strike out even from the depths.

[PDittie]

4. Doubtful

though Craddick owes DeLay less than do the various GOP congressmen in Texas and throughout the country who wouldn't be in office if it weren't for him.

I suppose it could happen, if Ronnie Earle had something on him (but since he wasn't indicted this go-round that's probably not the case).