Via Reuters: Indicted DeLay leaves House leadership post

A grand jury in Travis County, Texas, indicted DeLay on a single felony conspiracy charge related to fund-raising activities by a political action committee he created, CNN and the Austin American-Statesman newspaper reported.

“I have notified the speaker that I will temporarily step aside from my position as majority leader pursuant to rules of the House Republican Conference and the actions of the Travis County District Attorney today,” DeLay said in a statement.

Republican Party rules require DeLay to step aside in response to an indictment, although he can remain in Congress.

Wow. However, I have to admit, it has seemed as if we would eventually be at this spot eventually–both because it looked like Ronnie Earl was gunnin’ for DeLay and because, quite honestly, DeLay has seemed a bit overly in love with his own power and position and so I am not surprised that something happened that would allow for an indictment.

I do not know enough at this time to evaluate the seriousness of the charge or the likelihood that it will stick.

At any rate, this damages DeLay and, along with Frist, is damaging the GOP’s collective reputation.