Pardon me?

The hits just keep on coming for "associates of Tom Delay."

Two associates of Representative Tom DeLay, the Republican leader, were indicted on additional felony charges of violating Texas election law and criminal conspiracy to violate election law for their role in the 2002 legislative races. The two men indicted, Jim Ellis, who heads Americans for a Republican Majority, and John Colyandro, left, former executive director of Texans for a Republican Majority, already faced charges of money laundering in the case. Mr. Colyandro also faces 13 counts of unlawful acceptance of a corporate political contribution. Joe Turner, representing Mr. Colyandro, said lawyers for the Republican National Committee examined and cleared all the questioned transactions. (AP)

If only Tom was the governor and not a mere congressman. He could have used the Ernie Fletcher defense.

FRANKFORT, Ky. -- The special grand jury that has been examining personnel practices in Gov. Ernie Fletcher's administration is unlikely to return any more indictments because of pardons the governor has granted, a prosecutor said Tuesday.

However, Assistant Attorney General Scott Crawford-Sutherland would not say if Fletcher himself might be charged.

Two weeks ago, Fletcher pardoned nine people already indicted by the grand jury. He also granted an amnesty to anyone else who might be named, but there is a question about whether he can pardon someone not yet charged.

Hmmm. George W. Bush, when he is finished "taking responsibility" for his failure to "look like a leader," may want to think about Ernie's proactive actions before he leaves office.