The Future of Attack Ads

Tom DeLay has revolutionized the GOP Attack Ad- this time funnelling his campaign finances to the all-too-pressing issue of his two criminal indictments and subpoeanas in Texas filed by prosecutor Ronnie Earle.

On a site purproting to be DeLay's congressional bid page, potential voters [and jurors] are faced with no information immediately available explaining DeLay's legal philosophy, arguing for his political agenda, or developing the Hammer's community of policy activists. Instead, now, all that campaign financing goes directly to attacking Tavis County Prosecutor Earle. Find out how you can help Tom "fight back," get insider info on an upcoming attack film against Earle, read all of DeLay's pleas of legal immunities, and even sign up for your own activist tool kit!

Good job, DeLay. You certainly have a right to self-defense, but this is condemnable behavior- complete partisan viciousness. It exposes the contempt in the DeLay campaign for a just and reasonable exposure- it shows more your ability to mask and attack than it absolves you of criminal behavior.

"He clearly is aiming at the jury pool and aiming at voters, hoping to generate as much sympathy as he can," said Larry Noble, the government's former chief election enforcement lawyer. "And it shows DeLay never misses a beat when it comes to fundraising — no matter how dark things get."

Bruce Yannett, a former Iran-Contra prosecutor, said DeLay's campaign effort might raise questions of trying to taint the potential jury pool but the legal standard for making such a case is hard to prove.

Nonetheless, Yannett said he could not imagine President Reagan overtly using his campaign to attack prosecutors during the 1980s investigation of the Iran-Contra affair. "I would not recommend his campaign do it. It does seem a little unusual," Yannett said.

DeLay has been indicted along with several colleagues on charges that he conspired to launder illegal corporate contributions to Texas state candidates. He denies the charges.

Don McGahn, a lawyer for DeLay's campaign, said the use of the campaign for the anti-Earle effort is "perfectly legal" and has nothing to do with trying to sway jurors.

The indictment is "big news in Texas so it is obviously something the campaign should address for the voters whom it affects," McGahn said. "The intent is just for people to understand the truth. There is no other purpose here."

The truth, however, is decidedly DeLay's version on the Web site.

"Ronnie Earle is wrong on the facts. Ronnie Earle is wrong on the law," the Web site states as it analyzes the twists and turns in the case in the most favorable light to the congressman.