Novak: DeLay May Be Indicted

One of the most powerful Republicans on Capitol Hill could be the target of a politically motivated indictment over his tough tactics during the Texas redistricting fight last year.

Columnist Robert Novak reports that word is spreading "through Republican circles ... that a runaway Democratic prosecutor in Texas may indict House Majority Leader Tom DeLay."

DeLay's hardball tactics during the redistricting fight earned him the status of Republican hero, said Novak.

However, Austin District Attorney Ronnie Earle wants to prosecute DeLay for alleged illegal cash payments in connection with the episode, a move that would force DeLay to step aside till the case was resolved.

The top Republican sounded confident that Earle won't pull such an outrageous stunt.

Still, Texans well remember Earle's 1993 indictment of Republican Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison on trumped-up charges.

The renegade prosecutor dropped the case after a trial judge ruled that Earle had little evidence to back his allegation.

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