So maybe I'll be wrong on DeLay

Early I wrote that Tom DeLay's offense would lead to a muddled public view on his guilt. Not so, (or at least not yet) according to the latest NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll:

The poll, which has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.4 percentage points and which was conducted from Oct. 8-10 of 807 adults, also finds that strong majorities donÂ’t believe that the recent charges against GOP leaders Tom DeLay of Texas and Bill Frist of Tennessee are politically motivated. Sixty-five percent say that DeLayÂ’s indictment on charges of illegally using corporate contributions for political campaigns suggests potential illegal activity, while 24 percent say the indictment is politics as usual and has little merit. (Since his indictment, DeLay stepped down from his leadership position but still plays a prominent role in the U.S. House of Representatives.)

Tom DeLay's media blitz took place almost immediately and seems to have had little effect. The latest shenanigans, including the subpoena of Ronnie Earle, however, occurred after this poll, so it's too early to say I'm wrong outright.

But I would have thought DeLay's protests to the media would have brought those numbers down more than they did, so I'm fully ready to be wrong. Maybe the public, though, is thinking he protests too much.

Other good news?

In addition, with 13 months until the 2006 congressional elections, 48 percent say they prefer a Democratic-controlled Congress, compared with 39 percent who want the Republicans to control Capitol Hill. In fact, that nine-point difference is the largest margin between the parties in the 11 years the NBC/Journal poll has been tracking this question.

And the President's approval? 39%, another first for the NBC/Wall Street Journal poll.

So good news all around. Unless your a Republican, that is.