Throwing his Weight Around

Rep Tom DeLay was able to get a Texas TV station to pull an ad critical of the Congressman. It's here if you want to see it.



The ad is from a left-leaning outfit called Public Campaign Action Fund.

The Houston Chronicle reports:

"A day before a television ad linking Rep. Tom DeLay to disgraced former lobbyist Jack Abramoff was set to hit the airwaves in the Houston area, lawyers for his campaign told local stations Tuesday that the ad contained falsehoods and hinted that it could lead to court action. At least one station, KTRK (Channel 13), quickly decided against broadcasting the commercial...."

Threatening TV and radio stations with lawsuits -- or with having the FCC yank their license -- is a frequent tactic of incumbent candidates running for re-election. Under the law, a broadcast outlet is required to air any ad by a Congressional candidate -- regardless of how honest they are.

But ads from third parties -- such as this one -- do not enjoy that protection.

PCAF is also running this radio ad in Ohio, critical of Rep Bob Ney's (R-OH) (right) ties to lobbyist Jack Abramoff.

Rep Ney is the only Congress member mentioned in Mr Abramoff's plea deal and is expected to face indictment soon.

Hotline on Call reports that House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-IL) has asked him to resign as Chairman of the House Administration Committee -- just a week after Speaker Hastert and other top Republicans called on Rep DeLay to permanently resign as House Majority Leader.
(Houston Chronicle)