Texas Prosecutor Known For Going After Republicans and Democrats Alike

[NNN0LHI]

http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGBJB1086EE.html

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - For years, Ronnie Earle has prosecuted big-name politicians of all stripes: Republicans, Democrats, friends. He even filed charges against himself once for missing the campaign finance reporting deadline by a day.

But the Travis County district attorney, one of Texas' most powerful Democrats, wielded his clout like never before Wednesday, when he brought charges of criminal conspiracy against one of the nation's most powerful Republicans.

U.S. Rep. Tom DeLay, R-Texas, accused of taking part in an illegal campaign contribution scheme, stepped down as U.S. House majority leader shortly after the grand jury's indictment was released.

DeLay blasted Earle as a "partisan fanatic," and other Republicans joined him in calling the DA's three-year investigation of the 2002 state legislative campaigns a political witch hunt.

[Fenris]

1. Delay's going to find it hard to defeat Ronnie Earle.

That man's mission has been to root out corruption and political crimes. Delay and the Republicans are going to throw a lot of money into his defense (and the slandering of Ronnie Earle) but in the end it won't amount to anything but a fight against the inevitable.