"House Majority Leader Tom DeLay often plays defense in public in his fight against allegations of ethical misconduct, saying he didn't know about specific fund-raising practices under investigation in Texas or groups in Washington that paid for his travel.

Behind the scenes, though, he has gone on offense like few public figures before him. With his blessing, Republican leaders remade House ethics rules and the committee that reprimanded him last year, inserting allies and policies more favorable to his circumstances.

He also has devised a blame-the-Democrats strategy, portraying his accusers as politically motivated while saying, 'I have yet to be found breaking any House rules.'"