So yesterday when a CNN reporter asked House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-TX) if the Texas court ruling on TRMPAC had implications for him, he responded, "Not for me. I'm not part of it."

Yeah ... uh hum.  Let's take a look into how Tom DeLay is "not a part" of TRMPAC:

• DeLay served as a creator, advisor, and fundraiser for TRMPAC.  Who said this? None other than Tom DeLay. In fact,  according to a report, which ran in the Austin American Statesman on March 10, 2005 - DeLay said that it was his idea to create TRMPAC.  Laylan Copelin wrote that report. 
  
  
• When TRMPAC announced its existence it prominently publicized Tom DeLay as one its key leaders. It's own FAQ clearly indicated Tom DeLay was leading this PAC.
  
  
• DeLay's name appeared all over on TRMPAC stationary and promotional materials. Here is a copy of that TRMPAC luncheon flyer prominently featuring the name of Tom DeLay.  Here is another sample.  Click on the image to see the entire PDF doc:
  
  
  
  
• TRMPAC records show DeLay was on a conference call of the group's finance committee.  Here is a copy of a memo scheduling a conference call connecting DeLay with the TRMPAC finance committee.  
  
  
• DeLay did fundraising for TRMPAC. Here is a memo from Warren RoBold, a fundraiser for TRMPAC, disucssing DeLays role in calling large donors.

Yeah, you can see how Tom DeLay was "not part of" TRMPAC.  He had nothing to do with a PAC that he created, led and actively fundraised for helping candidates in Texas!  Sounds cute ... doesn't it? Well it sounds like Judge Joe Hart who issued the decision yesterday had no patience for "cute" excuses/nuances.  He was clear in his emphatic decision which ruled against DeLay's TRMPAC on all counts.

All this makes it even more urgent for the House Ethics Committee to appoint an independent, outside counsel, who will look into all the allegations against Tom DeLay, without being saddled with conflict of interest. The majority of the Republican caucus, including the GOP members on the ethics committee, have some sort financial ties to Tom DeLay.  Later this morning we are sending a letter to the Chairman and the ranking member of the House Ethics Committee requesting them to appoint an outside counsel.  As soon as we send that letter out we will post it right here.