A Capitol culture change

San Francisco Chronicle: Cold-blooded politics are on display in Washington this week as colleagues of scandal-tainted former House leader Tom DeLay joust for his job.
But a fresh name and bountiful pledges of probity aren't enough. What DeLay brazenly refined -- lawmaking by lobbyist -- must be wiped away. The House must invoke far tougher rules on influence peddling.
The right to petition government is enshrined in the Constitution. This First Amendment guarantee -- on a par with freedom of speech and religion in the minds of the Founding Fathers -- is designed to give citizens a voice in Washington.
Bent till it broke
Look how far DeLay bent this legitimate principle. His single-minded campaign to burnish GOP strength in the House descended into an alliance with lobbyists such as Jack Abramoff to freeze out support for anyone but Republicans. It went further by showering legislators with trips, gifts and campaign checks. Though Abramoff's largesse partly went to Democrats, his prime targets were Republicans who ruled Congress with DeLay as a prime beneficiary.
This scandal can't be masked by choosing a new House majority leader. Congress should get serious about putting together clear rules that protect the integrity of the people's business no matter which party and which individuals happens to be in power at any given moment.