Even Some Bush-Backing Newspapers Are Hammering Tom DeLay

By: Graham Webster Embattled House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-Texas) is facing criticism from newspapers that had previously supported President Bush, calling into question the contention that DeLay's woes are the result of a battering by "liberal media," as some of his supporters claim.

The liberal media watchdog Media Matters for America today cited critical editorials in The Wall Street Journal and eight newspapers that endorsed Bush in either or both the 2000 and 2004 elections, some calling for him to step down.

"It's time for Republicans to renounce his leadership and choose a more principled and temperate representative as House Majority Leader," the Lincoln (Neb.) Journal Star wrote in an April 12 editorial.

"Republicans have rallied around DeLay in the same loyal way that the Democrats circled their wagons around [former House Speaker Jim] Wright," The Staunton (Va.) News-Leader wrote on April 12. "If you can't count on your own party, who can you trust? But it is becoming rapidly clear that, in order to cut their losses and regain the moral high ground, DeLay must go."

The report also cited editorials in the Columbus (Ohio) Dispatch, the Winston-Salem (N.C.) Journal, the Dallas Morning News, the Omaha (Neb.) World-Herald, and the Richmond (Va.) Times-Dispatch.

And from DeLay's home state, the San Antonio Express-News opined on April 8: "As disturbing as DeLay's mounting controversies are the responses of Republicans to them. With each new allegation colleagues have remained steadfastly loyal to the man known as 'The Hammer.' This support sends a disturbing message to the voters: In defending DeLay, they align themselves with his alleged behavior."