GOP Rallies Behind DeLay

Embattled Majority Leader Brushes Aside Latest Controversies

(CBS/AP) 
In a closed-door meeting of the rank and file, some Republicans were considerably more critical of Democrats.

Rep. J.D. Hayworth described their overall tactics as "thugorama," according to several lawmakers and aides who declined to be identified by name. His office had no immediate comment.

For their part, Democrats leveled a new charge, that the ethical controversy surrounding DeLay was distracting from congressional efforts to tackle pressing problems.

"When politicians, the Republican majority, decides it is above the law, the American people are now seeing that they have a price to pay — at the pump, for their pharmaceuticals, and in the absence of initiatives that would help grow our economy," said Pelosi.

She said Republicans had effectively shut down the ethics committee to prevent further investigations into DeLay.

Two Democratic-aligned groups made fresh attacks on DeLay.

The Campaign For America's Future said it would run an ad in The Washington Times, widely read by conservatives in Congress. It says DeLay does not measure up to the ethical standards of former Presidents Reagan and Eisenhower or the late Sen. Barry Goldwater, the GOP presidential candidate in 1964.

Separately, the American Project Action Fund unveiled a Web site, www.DropTheHammer.org,urging consumers to contact businesses that have donated to DeLay's Legal defense Fund. "Let these corporations know that unless they stop supporting Tom DeLay, you'll stop supporting them," it says.

DeLay was admonished three times last year by the House ethics committee.

In addition to questions about DeLay's overseas travel, three of his associates are under indictment on state charges in Texas on campaign finance charges.

Also, lobbyist Jack Abramoff, long close to DeLay, is under investigation by the Justice Department and the Senate Indian Affairs Committee for work he did for Indian tribes.