Wash. Times disputed Texas DA's claim to have prosecuted more Dems, claimed “those who've been watching Mr. Earle know better”

A November 19 Washington Times editorial contradicted Texas District Attorney Ronnie Earle's claim that he has prosecuted more Democrats than Republicans, claiming that “those who've been watching Mr. Earle work know better.” Republicans have accused Earle, who is investigating House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-TX) for possible ethics violations, of conducting his investigation for purely partisan reasons.

The Houston Chronicle has presumably “been watching Mr. Earle,” who was first elected district attorney in 1976, for some time. As Media Matters for America has previously noted, a March 17* Chronicle editorial supported Earle's claim about his prosecution record:

During his long tenure, Travis County District Attorney Ronnie Earle has prosecuted many more Democratic officials than Republicans. The record does not support allegations that Earle is prone to partisan witch hunts.

This item originally indicated that the Houston Chronicle editorial was from June 17, 2004, and linked to a website providing the full text of the editorial but another incorrect date, March 17, 2003. In fact, the editorial was written on March 17, 2004.