Fitial backs DeLay

House Speaker Benigno R. Fitial has backed U.S. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay in condemning what the Speaker described as “a barrage of negative criticism coming from mostly left-leaning special interest groups determined to undermine conservative principles and ideals through smears, innuendo, and blatant character assassination.”

In a recent interview with Fox News, the embattled DeLay blasted what he characterized as a “left-wing syndicate” and condemned liberal “journalistic activism” for trying to undermine his Republican agenda in Congress.

“I join Congressman DeLay in condemning this unfair criticism, which has even gone to the extent of attacking the Northern Marianas for its previous efforts to rightfully defend itself against hostile federal takeover attempts orchestrated by partisan political groups and other liberal special interest groups,” said the Speaker.

According to the Speaker, certain left-leaning interested parties hostile to the struggling local garment industry are now attempting to undermine his 2005 gubernatorial bid by linking him to the controversy surrounding Tom DeLay and Jack Abramoff, a former Washington D.C. lobbyist who, to his credit, successfully thwarted repeated federal takeover attempts against the CNMI.

“There is nothing unseemly about protecting our economy and our local self-government against a federal takeover threat, especially since then Resident Rep. Juan N. Babauta was not doing his job,” said the Speaker, echoing a sentiment also expressed by former Governor Froilan C. Tenorio, who, along with former governor Pedro P. Tenorio, personally approved the CNMI’s previous contract with Abramoff.

Fitial joins President George W. Bush in supporting DeLay amid the “unfair attacks” upon the congressman’s character. Last week, Bush publicly declared that he looks forward to continue working with DeLay, whom the president described as “a very effective leader.”

“We’ve gotten a lot done in the legislature,” added the president.

The White House, through Karl Rove, a prominent administration official, has reiterated its “strong” support for DeLay in a recent CNN interview.

“We strongly support Tom DeLay. He’s a good man, a close ally of this administration,” said Rove in the television interview.

Fitial also considers DeLay a strong ally because of the embattled congressman’s strong support for local self-government and freedom of economic enterprise in the CNMI. (PR)