DeLay's False Attack

Tom DeLay came out swinging yesterday after he was indicted for criminal conspiracy. He accused Ronnie Earle, the DA prosecuting the case, of being partisan. While Earle admits he is no friend of DeLay, the accusation that Earle is out for partisan gain is completely without merit. Of the 15 public officials that Earle has indicted over the years, 11 out of the 15 were Democrats. Of those Democrats, some were even his friends.

His defenders, however, cite two high-profile prosecutions of Democrats. In late 1990, Earle went after the powerful Texas House speaker, Gib Lewis, who was his friend. Lewis pleaded guilty in 1992 to filing false financial statements and soon retired.

One of Earle's former targets, ex-Attorney General Jim Mattox, defended Earle on the issue of partisainship, eventhough Earle went after Mattox for bribery.

"You might question his competence as district attorney," Mattox told reporters, "but I don't think you could question his motivations as being overly partisan."

Earle even held himself accountable to the law.

Earle even prosecuted himself in 1983, paying a $212 fine for tardy campaign finance disclosure filings.

I think Earle says it best himself.

"Being called vindictive and partisan by Tom DeLay is like being called ugly by a frog."

Earle Has Prosecuted Many Democrats

Houston Chronicle: COPS AND ROBBERS Earle prosecutes Democrats and Republicans alike