Surprise, surprise. Tom delay has been indicted. Actually, it is not altogether unexpected, given the partisan nature of the Travis County Democratic prosecutor Ronnie Earle, who has a history of hyper enthusiastic legal pursuit of Republicans.

That said, it was appropriate for Tom delay to temporarily step down from his House leadership post. Republicans could not have credibly argued that Tom delay should stay on as the House Majority Leader while he is under indictment. To have followed through with a change that would have allowed Delay to remain in his leadership position would have put House Republicans unnecessarily on the defensive, and given Democrats a significant issue to use in the upcoming 2006 election.

More specifics on the indictment over at Media Blog:

"The indictment centers around a money swap that took place between the Texans for a Republican Majority PAC (TRMPAC), to which DeLay has ties, and the Republican National State Elections Committee (RNSEC). TRMPAC sent $190,000 to RNSEC, and RNSEC then sent the same total amount in seven checks ranging from $20,000 to $40,000 to Texas House candidates in 2002. Travis County DA Ronnie Earle, a Democrat, calls this money laundering, because the money that TRMPAC sent to RNSEC came from coporations, which are barred from contributing to campaigns in Texas.

What you won't hear in the press is that A) This is a perfectly legal move, and B) the Democrats did the exact same thing. An Institute on Money in State Politics study reveals that on Oct. 31, 2002, the Texas Democratic Party did the same thing when it sent $75,000 to the Democratic National Committee (DNC) and received $75,000 back from the DNC the very same day."

The actual indictment here.

Glenn Reynolds notes:

"I'm on travel and haven't had time to read the many emails I've gotten proclaiming his obvious guilt or persecuted innocence, but it's obviously an embarrassment for the G.O.P. On the other hand, maybe his replacement will be better at finding pork . . . ."

The Political Teen has video of Tom delay's response to the indictment.

It's too bad that Nancy Pelosi isn't residing down in Travis County. But I rather suspect that she would be immune from the efforts of Mr. Earle. (See here also)

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Related:

House Republicans In Retreat Over Ethics Rules Changes
Delay Fights Back
Times Editors Soliciting For Shots At Delay
Republican Anxiety Over Tom Delay Is Rising
Pelosi's Letters
Rules Change Lets Delay Stay If Indicted

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Other bloggers:

Hugh Hewitt:

"A Texas prosecutor with a history of abuse of his office, Ronnie Earle, has indicted Tom DeLay. Earle is a sort of Jim Garrison without the integrity. Soon to follow: Giant MSM coverage, show trial, acquittal and exoneration, DeLay's return to Majority Leader for another 20 years."

Ankle Biting Pundits:

"Look folks, there's not good way to try an spin this. Tom DeLay, as expected, has been indicted for campaign finance violations. There's an old saying that "a ham sandwich can be indicted", and by no means is it evidence of guilt. However, in politics, perception is reality, and even if DeLay is cleared eventually the media and the Democrats are going to have a field day. Of course, if DeLay did break the law he should pay the price. And let's not forget the DA who indicted him is a political hack who pulled a similar stunt on Kay Bailey Hutchinson, which was exposed as a partisan witch hunt.

But politically, this is trouble for the GOP...

...Plus, like it or not any GOP candidate who received money from his PAC (and there are many) is going to painted as a crook."

I believe that is a bit of an overestimation of the trouble for Republicans. Democrats, as they always do, will overstep in their glee to take down Republicans. This will lead to the inevitable stepped up scrutiny of their own congressional members, although MSM is not likely to play up such occurrences. It will be up to the bloggers to fill this role.

The moonbats over at Kos are just beside themselves, acting like they just had a lucky first date, and they are already beginning to try and smear the presumed incoming replacement for Delay, Rep. David Dreier.

Update: Republican Rep. Roy Blunt will take over for Delay, instead of David Dreier.