With DeLay in the Spotlight, Republicans Feeling the Heat

Republicans dominate Washington, a political achievement that DeLay -- with his hardball tactics, consummate fundraising skills and emphasis on party discipline -- played a key role in securing. And the conservative agenda the GOP is pushing reflects his passionate belief in lower taxes and less government regulation.

And yet, growing questions about his ethics and his associations have put DeLay on the defensive. He has been forced, most recently on Tuesday, to reassure jittery Republicans that he remains more of a political asset to them than a liability.

Democrats and congressional watchdog groups have seized on a steady drip of questions about DeLay's actions, and those of some of his political associates, as evidence of what they say is a breakdown in ethics oversight in the Republican-controlled House. They have portrayed DeLay as being at the center of the decay in the system.

Republicans acknowledge that they are feeling the heat.

"We all wish there were not news stories about Tom DeLay, but there are," said Rep. Zach Wamp (R-Tenn.). "He is a tough character. Like him or not, everyone needs to recognize how tough and durable he is. I wouldn't bet against him. But there's no question that it's something we all wish would go away, and over time, it probably will."

DeLay is trying to keep to a business-as-usual schedule, insisting that the news stories and investigations are not diverting his focus.

But on Tuesday, he kept a room full of party faithful attending a conference on tax reform waiting nearly an hour so he could vote against an ethics measure put forward by the House Democratic leadership.

DeLay's troubles began last year when three fundraisers with ties to him were indicted in Texas, charged with illegally using corporate contributions to fund Republican candidates for the Texas Legislature. A short time later, the House ethics committee rebuked him three times for political tactics members said went too far.

The scrutiny intensified when recent newspaper stories raised questions about two overseas trips DeLay took that were linked to a Washington lobbyist now under criminal investigation for his tactics in promoting Indian tribes' gambling interests.