Houston Democrats

Area supporters display their pride for embattled DeLay Lunch praises majority leader; critics show up to call for an inquiry

By THOM MARSHALL

Controversy over ethics questions may dog U.S. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay most everywhere else these days, but Tuesday in Houston he was treated to accolades at a lunch with about 400 friends and supporters.

"Tom, we're proud to be here for you today," said Harris County Judge Robert Eckels, one of several community leaders to sing the Sugar Land Republican's praises in the Westin Galleria Hotel.

Other speakers at the Greater Houston Partnership event — representing Houston's medical industry, the University of Houston, the Port of Houston, Metro and the Johnson Space Center — all thanked DeLay for his past support in getting government funding and said they look forward to working with him in the future.

In a videotaped message, Ed Young of Second Baptist Church called DeLay "a man who stands straight and tall for God and for good" and encouraged him to "stay in the battle."

Other taped messages from Houston Mayor Bill White and Texas Gov. Rick Perry were played. Again, as at a recent DeLay appreciation dinner in Washington, D.C., there was no message from President Bush or Vice President Dick Cheney, although the White House is on record backing DeLay during the ethics controversy.

"It is incredibly humbling that you are here today," DeLay told the crowd, which included many city and area politicians. "There are so many heroes in this room. Heroes of mine."

Across the hall, a group of critics held a news conference.

Carmencita Abad, a former garment worker in the Northern Mariana Islands, said she was in Houston "to challenge Mr. DeLay" about conditions in the factories in the islands that produce goods with "Made in the USA" labels.

Abad and the sponsors of the news conference — Houston Interfaith Committee for Worker Justice and the Harris County AFL-CIO Council — joined others across the country in calling for an investigation of DeLay.

Minutes later at a podium only a few feet away, DeLay didn't mention the controversies surrounding him. He talked with pride of his accomplishments and said, "I'm looking forward to all the other issues we have to work on."

So, I thought Mayor Bill White was a Democrat. I understand the usual support from Republicans like Judge Eckels, the Governor, certain conservative religious leaders, etc., but Bill White? What is he doing praising Tom DeLay? Or maybe more to the point, what does he stand to gain from praising DeLay? I guess there must be something there that I don't know about. I'm sure DeLay has brought in a lot of road money for the area and some funding for NASA. I guess since the event was taking place in Houston there is a sort of a protocol to show up and represent the city. I would like to see a copy of White's message to see what he had to say about DeLay.

At least the Houston Interfaith Committee for Worker Justice and the Harris County AFL-CIO Council, among others had it right. They at least showed up to promote justice and democracy by calling for an investigation of DeLay. I wish the mayor would have done the same.

Given what DeLay is alleged to have done, and the constant flow of new revelations about his dealings, as mayor I wouldn't want to associate myself DeLay, especially if I was reaching the end of my term. It's political roulette.