Bush Comes to DeLay’s Defense

President Bush said Wednesday that he believed indicted Rep. Tom DeLay (R-Texas) was innocent of money-laundering charges and expressed hope that his fellow Texan would regain his post as House majority leader.

“I hope that he will [return] because I like him,” Bush said in an interview with Fox News. “And plus, when he’s over there, we got our votes through the House.”

Bush’s support for DeLay came as House Republicans faced the question of whether to hold elections for a new majority leader should DeLay’s legal problems remain unresolved.

DeLay was forced to resign temporarily as majority leader after he was indicted this fall. He could reclaim his leadership post if he clears his name and if the House has not elected a permanent replacement. Rep. Roy Blunt of Missouri, the Republican whip, is filling the post on an acting basis.

DeLay and two others are accused of illegally funneling $190,000 in corporate donations to candidates for the Texas Legislature in violation of state law. He faces charges of money laundering and conspiracy to launder money.

Speaking on the program “Special Report With Brit Hume,” Bush said that with DeLay in the No. 2 House leadership spot, Republicans won a “remarkable string of legislative victories.... And I give Tom a lot of credit for that. The speaker gets credit, but Tom gets a lot of credit too.”

Bush said Vice President Dick Cheney remained a trusted confidant. Their relationship had become a matter of speculation after the October indictment of a senior Cheney aide in connection with the unmasking of a covert CIA officer.

“The truth of the matter is that our relationship hasn’t changed hardly at all,” Bush said. “I’d say the relationship -- it’s only gotten better. We didn’t know each other that well when we first came to Washington, D.C., and my respect for him has grown immensely.”

Bush also said that he and senior aide Karl Rove, who has been entangled in the CIA leak scandal, remained “as close as we’ve ever been. We’ve been through a lot. You know, when we look back at the presidency and my time in politics, no question that Karl had a lot to do with me getting here, and I value his friendship. We’re very close.”

Bush was also complimentary of Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld.

“He’s done a heck of a job,” Bush said. “He’s conducted two wars and at the same time has helped transform our military from a military that was constructed for, you know, the post-Cold War to one that is going to be constructed to fight terrorism.”

Bush said he had “no intention of changing” Rumsfeld.

Asked about a “culture of corruption” in Washington, Bush called lobbyist Jack Abramoff, the target of a federal investigation, “an equal money dispenser,” saying both political parties received contributions from him.

But available records suggest Republicans received more from Abramoff and his clients than did Democrats.