Winds of Change in the Legislature?

You don't need to be a weatherman to see how the winds are blowing for an influential Texas Republican.

It looks like years of abuse and corruption are finally catching up to Republican representative Tom Delay of Sugarland. If you live around the Houston area (or several other selected "markets" ) you may have noticed the ad criticizing Mr. Delay on local television. It features a rolex-clad man in a suit descend to a basement and feverishly trying to wash his hands. As this is going on the long litany of congressional investigations, indictments, ethics violations, and corruption charges that have plagued Congressman Delay are read aloud.

The huge number of ethics questions plaguing Mr. Delay have also appeared on the front page of the New York times at least six times within the last year. * The growing furor of Delay's fragrant abuse of power has so far not found an audience among Republicans, until now.

*This is a total guess

WASHINGTON (AP) - Rep. Christopher Shays said Sunday that fellow Republican Rep. Tom DeLay should step down as House majority leader because his continuing ethics problems are hurting the GOP.

"Tom's conduct is hurting the Republican Party, is hurting this Republican majority and it is hurting any Republican who is up for re-election," Shays told The Associated Press on Sunday.

DeLay, R-Texas, has been dogged in recent months by reports of possible ethics violations. There have been questions about his overseas travel, campaign payments to family members and his connections to lobbyists who are under investigation.

WASHINGTON (AP) - The No. 3 Republican in the Senate said Sunday that embattled House Majority Leader Tom DeLay needs to answer questions about his ethics and "let the people then judge for themselves."

Sen. Rick Santorum's comments seem to reflect the nervousness among congressional Republicans about the fallout from the increased scrutiny into DeLay's way of doing business.