Republican Slime Machine At It Again

Media Matters for America has compiled an excellent report outlining how the media is assisting the Republican Slime Machine in its efforts to defame Travis County, Texas, District Attorney Ronnie Earle -- the man investigating House Majority Leader Tom DeLay and his associates.

If you look at the Media Matters report, you can see how the so-called liberal media is repeating the GOP talking point that Earle is going after DeLay only for partisan reasons.

Of course, you aren't hearing that Earle has prosecuted more Democrats than Republicans. Such a fact does not fit the narrative, after all.

But, as Media Matters notes:

While Earle is an elected Democrat, as Media Matters for America has previously noted, a June 17 editorial in the Houston Chronicle commended his work: "During his long tenure, Travis County District Attorney Ronnie Earle has prosecuted many more Democratic officials than Republicans. The record does not support allegations that Earle is prone to partisan witch hunts." This assertion supports Earle's own claim about his record; a March 6 article in the El Paso Times reported: "Earle says local prosecution is fundamental and points out that 11 of the 15 politicians he has prosecuted over the years were Democrats."

Let's be clear: despite the conservative media's talking points, there is no evidence that Earle is a partisan hack. There is, however, much evidence that DeLay and many of his supporters -- especially those who rolled over and changed the rule prohibiting people under indictment from holding GOP leadership positions -- are.