DeLay claims liberal web site tied to Iraq insurgents

[Rspaight]

OK, Matt, here's a real smear.

Poor Republicans. They just can't believe anyone can be opposed to them and not allied with Arab terrorists...

(Bolding mine.)

DeLay, Morrison swap charges

By: MARK EVANGELISTA, Citizen Staff 10/27/2004

The change in temperature isn't football weather.
The race between Majority Leader Tom DeLay and Richard Morrison has heated up after the two District 22 candidates exchanged charges.

A day after a subpoena was served to DeLay, a fellow Republican senator asked for an apology from Morrison and Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and leveled additional charges.
DeLay was served a subpoena in a civil suit filed by Lon Burnam, one of the Democrats in the Texas Legislature who fled the state to avoid a vote on redistricting.
Burnam contends that DeLay that the Texas Department of Public Safety destroyed documents in reference to efforts by the law enforcement agency to track down the lawmakers.
The suit also said that the DPS had no lawful authority to track down and arrest the legislators.
Congressman Eric Cantor (R-Virginia) faulted Texas Democrats for associating with the political action committee led by convicted felon Lyndon LaRouche.
"In the past, associations and statements like these have characterized with anti-Semites are Texas Democratic Party policy," said Cantor.
Morrison countered, saying that the posturing was nothing more than "mudslinging for Tom DeLay."
"This is a clear sign of DeLay's desperation...He know's he's slipping in the polls so he's asked his buddies in Washington to do the dirty work for him," said Morrison.
On Monday, an attorney for DeLay filed an appeal, saying he was not a central witness to the lawsuit.
In an interview with The Citizen on Friday, DeLay called the subpoena part of the strategy by Democrats to "criminalize politics."
"The Democrats are using the courts and the legal system to criminalize politics, for their political gain and character assassination," said DeLay via telephone.
DeLay supporters have pointed to a calendar listing on the Morrison Web site as a smoking gun linking Morrison to the LaRouchians.
"LaRouche is a con felon and all I can tell you is that Mr. Morrison has supported and campaigned with LaRouche followers and Mr. Morrison also has taken money and is working with the Daily Kos, which is an organization that raises money for fighters against the U.S. in Iraq," said DeLay.
Morrison called DeLay out of line, accusing his connections in the capital for fighting his battles.
"Instead of addressing the real issues between us, the (National Republican Congressional Committee) decided to make a public calendar of political events in the 22nd district to make outlandish charges against me," Morrison said.
"He should come forward and address (his recent legal and ethical problems) openly instead of using his Washington friends to lodge attacks."