CBS Highlights Republican Critic of DeLay Who Calls Him a Hog

On Friday's CBS Evening News, correspondent Lee Cowan filed a story on Congressman Tom DeLay's appearance in a Texas courtroom, which on some counts was balanced, but which glaringly highlighted a Replublican critic of Tom DeLay who referred to him as a "hog." Although Fort Bend Star publisher Beverly Carter has been a longtime critic of DeLay who even endorsed his opponent in last year's election, Cowan simply referred to her as a "Republican precinct chairwoman," thus giving her credibility as a typical local Republican leader.

The story began with Cowan relaying DeLay's criticisms of Judge Bob Perkins for links to the liberal advocacy group MoveOn.org, followed by a soundbite of DeLay accusing prosecutor Ronnie Earle of abusing his power. Cowan then proceeded to highlight "some Republicans who aren't buying it" and showed a couple of soundbites from Carter
without conveying her anti-DeLay history to provide context. Notably, according to an article in the New York Times that ran on April 17 of this year, Carter admitted to having "got crosswise" with DeLay eight years earlier over his involvement in a local election for sheriff. Cowan did at least provide some balance by next highlighting a woman who "runs a neighborhood program for foster children that DeLay and his wife started years ago" and noted that he is "still plenty popular" in the district. Still, the failure to properly identify Carter gives an impression of greater Republican division in the district than perhaps really exists. A complete transcript of the Friday October 21 story, anchored by Bob Schieffer, follows:

Bob Schieffer: "Tom DeLay has stepped aside as the House Republican Leader at least until charges that he violated campaign finance laws are decided, but that could take a while. Today, he went into a Texas court and managed to bring the whole proceeding to a dead stop. Lee Cowan now with our 'Inside Story.'"

Lee Cowan: "At times, it was hard to tell whether the Congressman's first court appearance was a criminal proceeding or a political debate. Within minutes, DeLay's attorney had the judge defending his ties to the Democratic party and liberal organizations like MoveOn.org."

Dick DeGuerin, Attorney of Tom DeLay: "-to which you have contributed, was selling T-shirts with Mr. DeLay's mug shot on it to raise money."

Judge Bob Perkins, Travis County Texas District Court: "Well, let me just say I haven't ever seen that T-shirt, number one. Number two, I haven't bought it. Number three, the last time that I-"

Cowan: "It was Tom DeLay's latest claim that behind his indictment on conspiracy and money laundering charges is nothing but politics, and tweaked prosecutor Ronnie Earle when he asked for a new judge."

Ronnie Earle, Prosecutor: "And I think that's absurd."

Cowan: "DeLay left the courthouse to go to the Texas Statehouse, where he launched another blistering attack on Earle, who he named eight times in a four-minute statement."

Rep. Tom DeLay (R-TX): "The only reason I had to be in that courtroom today was because Ronnie Earle has abused his prosecutorial power."

Cowan: "That's been his defense all along, and some Republicans aren't buying it."

Beverly Carter, Republican Precinct Chairwoman: "I've not heard of any Republicans that are supporting Tom at this point. Win, lose or draw, whether he's guilty or not guilty, they've kind of had it with him."

Cowan: "And that's coming from a Republican precinct chairwoman in his home district."

Carter: "Pigs get fatter, but hogs get slaughtered, and Tom's been a hog."

Cowan: "Don't mistake that for lack of support. He's still plenty popular here. Margaret Gow runs a neighborhood program for foster children that DeLay and his wife started years ago."

Margaret Gow, Tom DeLay Supporter: "He's very low-key about it in that he's doing it for the right reasons, and he knows that."

Cowan: "What he also knows is he's the first majority leader in history to ever be indicted, so no matter how big the smile on the mug shot, no matter how confident he appears in court, the prosecution may have already dealt a serious blow before the Congressman can even enter a plea. Lee Cowan, CBS News, Austin."