DeLay disavows anti-union letter
House Majority Leader Tom DeLay is a monument to corruption, venality, and mean-spirited politics. He is also my Congressman, a fact which makes me ill. This latest episode, involving a fundraising letter that went out under his signature, is just another brick in the wall.
DeLay acknowledged his "legitimate" disagreements with labor, such as the debate over labor rights that slowed passage of the homeland security bill a few months ago. But he said the letter went too far.
The letter was sent out by the National Right to Work Legal Defense and Education Foundation, a group that fights what it calls "compulsory unionism abuses." The letter said union leaders undermine national security during times of crises by asserting labor rights.
Spokesmen for the organization were not immediately available today to comment on DeLay's repudiation.
DeLay, who said he had not seen the letter before it went out under his name, added, "The hyperbole does not reflect how I deal with unions, with union bosses or the issues that are important to them."
DeLay's aides had earlier disavowed the letter, but the congressman discussed it Tuesday at the first of what he said would be routine weekly news briefings now that he is majority leader.
A spokesman later said the unauthorized action was taken by an employee of the political action committee founded by Delay, Americans for a Republican Majority. He would not identify the employee or say whether the individual had been disciplined or dismissed.
The spokesman, Stuart Roy, said DeLay had spoken to Teamsters President James Hoffa by cell phone Sunday, after Hoffa wrote a letter last week saying he considered the fund-raising appeal "a personal affront."
Roy said DeLay also tried to reach Harold Schaitberger, president of the International Association of Fire Fighters, who had strongly objected to a letter impugning the patriotism of union members after 343 firefighters died in the attack on the World Trade Center. Roy said he was not sure whether Delay had yet reached Schaitberger.
The sad reality here is that the only thing DeLay is likely sorry about is the fact that the letter attracted so much attention. Contrition, honesty, and integrity haven't exactly been hallmarks of DeLay's tenure in office. If this letter is the sort of thing that DeLay thinks will enhance his position, he is not above using it. Sure, he can claim sloppiness on the part of his staff, but does anyone really think that this control freak doesn't read each fundraising letter that leaves his office under his name? Give me a break. He knew exactly what he was doing; his miscalculation was in regard to the reaction that obviously had not been anticipated.
