House Republicans proposed changing their rules last night to allow members indicted by state grand juries to remain in a leadership post, a move that would benefit Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-Tex.) in case he is charged by a Texas grand jury that has indicted three of his political associates, according to GOP leaders.

The proposed rule change, which several leaders predicted would win approval at a closed meeting today, comes as House Republicans return to Washington feeling indebted to DeLay for the slightly enhanced majority they won in this month's elections. DeLay led an aggressive redistricting effort in Texas last year that resulted in five Democratic House members retiring or losing reelection. It also triggered a grand jury inquiry into fundraising efforts related to the state legislature's redistricting actions.
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House Republicans adopted the indictment rule in 1993, when they were trying to end four decades of Democratic control of the House, in part by highlighting Democrats' ethical lapses. They said at the time that they held themselves to higher standards than prominent Democrats such as then-Ways and Means Chairman Dan Rostenkowski (Ill.), who eventually pleaded guilty to mail fraud and was sentenced to prison. (from WP)

What A-holes. The Gang of Morality and Values (Republicans) will stop at nothing to impeach the "heinous" Clinton, yet they will excuse and easily forgive their own House leader if he ends up getting indicted. On top of that, they wish to reward him for the slimy & unprecedented redistricting he orchestrated in Texas.

Just more of the same from the GOP, hypocrisy of the highest order. Yet what does it matter since the public is -- sorry to say -- stupid enough to buy into Republicans being the more righteous political party. If Republicans wish to solely possess morality as their own, it's high time they show that it's deserved. As it is, that notion is laughable.