I'm in meetings over the next couple of days so blogging will be a little light. Here are two stories of note, though. The first is a Dallas Morning News editorial that was syndicated by Knight-Ridder, which means it appeared elsewhere:

Beyond DeLay: New leaders could help GOP - and country

The second is a breaking story from AP that the Supreme Court will take up the Texas redistricting case. Look for more internal memos from Justice to leak:

Could there possibly be more big money political contributors who can flip on members of Congress, including DeLay? But of course.

It's come to light that two of the defense contractors that are at the center of the Randy "Duke" Cunningham bribery scandal had dealings with other members as well. And to no one's surprise, one of those members is Tom DeLay. From today's USA Today:

More bad news for DeLay. Judge Priest has sent a letter to DeLay's defense team telling them that because of other cases the Judge has pending, he won't be able to hold any hearings on DeLay's case until December 27--at the earliest.

The Judge also told DeLay's lawyers that DeLay will be on trial with John Colyandro and Jim Ellis--the others accused along with him.

Judge priest stripped out some language in the conspiracy charge against DeLay which could push back the trial date if the prosecutors decide to appeal that decision.

Because of this, DeLay is trying to separate the two charges--money laundering and conspiracy to launder money--that are still pending against him in hopes of getting a speedy trial.

In a Boston Globe story about the leadership struggle brewing within the Republican House caucus, I caught this interesting tidbit:

TPMCafe gets Paul Begala to write a reflection of his youth in Tom DeLay's district:

A poll of DeLay's constituents in TX-22. From Daily Kos:

Gallup. 12/1-4. MoE 4%. (No trend lines)

If Tom DeLay runs for re-election in 2006, in general, are you more likely to vote for the Republican candidate Tom DeLay or for the Democratic Party's candidate for Congress?

DeLay 36
The Democrat 49

Voters' Opinion of Tom DeLay

Favorable 37
Unfavorable 52

A colleague of mine asked me today if I had any insight into what happens inside Tom DeLay's head. I started thinking..........

I'm Tom DeLay. I was indicted on money laundering charges stemming from moving $190,000 in corporate campaign contributions, and earlier today a judge just said that I had to stand trial for the crime. What do I do now?

I know! Hold a fundraiser with Vice President Dick Cheney!

Judge Pat Priest just upheld the money laundering charge against former Majority leader Tom DeLay. He threw out the conspiracy charge. DeLay, it seems, dodged one bullet, but is heading to trial anyway. Let's see how they spin this one.

It's time for DeLay to resign, and for your representative to demand that he step down.

Here's the AP story.

As early as tomorrow, Texas Judge Pat Priest will reportedly determine whether DeLay will stand trial on criminal conspiracy and money laundering charges.

As AP writes up, this decision will likely decide whether or not the once Majority Leader becomes the once and future Majority Leader.

At issue are several developments: