Progressive Democrat Issue 48: TARGET THE CORRUPT REPUBLICAN: DeLay's Arrest!

Remember way back when (months ago!) when I started this campaign? It started on Daily Kos, spread to this newsletter, and eventually became a blog. I started with Tom DeLay. Tom DeLay, the very first target of this campaign, has now been ARRESTED because of his corruption.

Here is the Daily Kos diary covering DeLay's arrest warrent.

The chickens are coming home to roost. And we have every right to be gleeful, because this represents the rule of law in America. Tom DeLay is not and SHOULD not be above the law. His corruption was disgusting and he must pay the price.

Don't let this opportinity pass you by. In some small way you and I were part of the outcry that has led to his arrest. But let's take it further by 1.) enjoying our victory and 2.) making sure that it isn't forgotten.

Let's start with some gloating. Why not buy a coffee mug with Tom DeLay's mug shot on it! You can remember the moment when Republican corruption started to bring them down. Proceeds go to one of the groups that has been most active in fighting DeLay's corruption.

But let's take it further. Here are some petitions to sign demanding DeLay resign:

Public Campaign Action Fund

Act For Change

PLEASE SIGN THEM!

Next, we have to make sure America realizes that Tom DeLay’s corruption taints the entire Republican Party. Do you know that many Republican Congressmen have gotten money from DeLay’s corrupt PAC? This is tainted money! DeLay may be arrested, but he is STILL supported by his party and his party is STILL supported by the PAC he created. Find out if Republicans in YOUR state have gotten tainted money from DeLay and if so tell them to return it.


Next step, please write your local media telling them how happy you are that DeLay has finally been brought to justice for his disgusting corruption. Tell them how disgusted you are with Republican corruption and how you expect every Republican who received money from DeLay to give up the money. If they don’t THEY are part of the same corrupt political machine as DeLay. Letters to the media are a CRITICAL part of our efforts. Without this, it is easy for Republican corruption to be forgotten or ignored by the media. Your comments can make the difference. Please WRITE YOUR LOCAL MEDIA. It is this kind of focus on the media that got DeLay's corruption noticed in the first place.

For advanced fighters of Republican corruption, here are a handful of DeLay's biggest supporters and/or donors who deserve to be defeated.

Republican mayor of NYC Michael Bloomberg donated $250,000 to Tom DeLay's PAC which focuses on furthering DeLay's extremist right-wing agenda. Howard Dean has endorsed Bloomberg's challenger, Fernando Ferrer. Please consider donating, through Howard Dean's plea, to Fernando Ferrer's attempt to unseat one of DeLay's biggest financial donors.

Some of DeLay's biggest backers in congress are Bob Beauprez (R CO-07), Anne Northup (R KY-3), Jon Porter (R NV-3), and Jim Gerlach (R PA-6). These House Reps. have voted solidly with DeLay and have donated either to DeLay's PAC or to his Defense Fund (thus SUPPORTING his corruption). These four corrupt Republicans are four of the ten most vulnerable Republicans in Congress. Please donate to defeat these corrupt Republicans.

Another one of DeLay's biggest buddies is Tom Tancredo (R CO-6). This guy is one of the Katrina 11, the Republicans who refued to vote to give aid to the victims of hurricane Katrina. Go to my Katrina 11 website to donate to defeat Tancredo.

Supporting the fight against these particularly corrupt Republican Reps. will be a good start to purging Congress of DeLay's disgusting influence.