Why Tom DeLay's trial should be conducted in a federal venue...

[jmowreader]

even though he broke a state law.

Tom DeLay manipulated the Texas congressional district structure in order to increase the size of the Texas Republican congressional contingent. This has implications for the entire nation--Texas has so many congressmen they have the potential to flip a closely-divided House from one party to the other.

Because of this, there has to be some way to move DeLay's case out of state jurisdiction to federal jurisdiction.

[Eric J in MN]

1. A federal prosecutor would have to charge Tom DeLay

for him to be tried in a federal court, but Bush controls them.

[democracyindanger]

2. So Abu Gonzales can run the prosecution?

No thanks.

[Inland]

3. There isn't.

Federal courts have jurisdiction over federal crimes.

By the bye, since each state has the complete and unfettered power to redistrict any way they choose (save discrimination on race and other invidious discrimination) ALL redistricting has a national impact yet it is entirely up to each state.

[Pepperbelly]

4. I'd rather let this prosecutor work in the arena he knows best.

Why in the WORLD would you think a federal prosecution would be superior? Hell, I doubt it would have gotten to the point of indictment if it had been federal.

Fitzgerald, as an independent prosecutor, may well get some indictments but so far, da nada.

[jmowreader]

5. I'm trying to fuck up DeLay's lucrative lobbying and consulting gig

After this shit is over and DeLay goes down, Toxic Tommy won't be able to spray bugs for five years. He's probably going to get kicked out of Congress. He is a tradesman, not a professional, so he can't get work as a lawyer. I guess he could become a talking head on Faux, but there's no amount of makeup which can cover that level of ugly.

Lobbying is all he's got left, and I think having "convicted of a federal offense" in his resume would narrow his job prospects in that area.

So basically, I want DeLay to have to try to find a job in Bush's economy.

[Pepperbelly]

6. I think a felony conviction in general would do that.

He would become Toxic Tom to everyone.

[hang a left]

7. Well maybe something will come up for Delay in Abramoff's

problem.

[raysr]

8. Should be conducted

in another country, Venezuela comes to mind!

[mourningdove92]

9. Whats wrong with Iran or Saudi Arabia?

hehehe