Rove: White House backs DeLay

This is the sort of thing that we hope will come back to haunt the GOP, especially since DeLay is pretty clearly guilty of some criminal activities. On the other hand, this administration doesn't have to face re-election. Nevertheless, they could be putting the GOP in jeopardy by choosing sides on this one. From CNN:

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The White House stands "strongly" behind Tom DeLay amid ethical questions over the House majority leader's fund- raising and overseas trips, deputy chief of staff Karl Rove said Monday.

Rove, the strategist who ran President Bush's two presidential campaigns, said DeLay, a Texas Republican, has been the target of partisan attacks by "desperate" Democrats.

"Tom DeLay is going to continue to be a strong and effective majority leader for the Republicans in the House," he said on CNN's "Inside Politics."