Rep. Tom DeLay, the Republican majority leader in the House and the party’s lead arm-twister, has problems playing by the rules.

Lucky for him, his colleagues either owe him so much – or fear him so terribly – they’re willing to change the rules to help him maintain power.

In 1993, when Republicans under the leadership of Newt Gingrich began their march toward electoral dominance in Congress, they used charges of ethical lapses and legal problems to bludgeon their Democratic foes. In 1994, a wave swept Republicans into Congress. The country was tired of the hubris and manipulation of power by House Democrats.

Among the changes Republicans made: Any party leader indicted for a serious crime would lose his or her position. It was part of their reform agenda.

Now, in just 10 years, hubris has come full circle. Republicans, fresh off an election that expanded their majority in both the House and Senate, are turning their backs on the platform of accountability that helped bring them to power.

On Wednesday, House Republicans changed the rules, ostensibly to protect DeLay.

Three DeLay aides have been indicted in Texas on charges of illegal fund-raising. DeLay has not been indicted, and an indictment does not prove guilt. But the move in the House was clearly meant to inoculate the majority leader from charges that might be looming while protecting his grasp on power.

DeLay has already been admonished this year by the bipartisan House Ethics Committee for three violations, including charges stemming from the Texas case. He was also cited by the committee in 1999.

House Republicans have lowered their standards. Ethics, it seems, are good for campaign slogans but of little use when it comes time to actually govern.