Sheehan may pursue meeting with DeLay

CRAWFORD, Texas — Peace mom Cindy Sheehan hinted Friday that she may set her sights on House Majority Leader Tom DeLay after she leaves her controversial, monthlong vigil near the Western White House.

"We hear it's nearby," Sheehan quipped to reporters when asked why she would want to visit DeLay, the influential Republican congressman from Sugar Land, a well-to-do suburb of Houston.

The 48-year-old icon of the national peace movement said she would like to visit with other top Republican leaders if she cannot get an audience with President Bush. Sheehan began a vigil on Aug. 6 to request a meeting with Bush to ask for an end to the Iraq war and complete withdrawal of troops from that nation.

Sheehan's activism is fueled by the loss of her son, Army Spc. Casey Sheehan, who was killed in a 2004 ambush in Baghdad.

Sheehan also clarified on Friday that she will participate for only two days in a forthcoming national anti-war bus tour because of prior speaking engagements. The bus tour will end in Washington for an anti-war rally in front of the White House Sept. 24.

As has been the case with Bush, it is unlikely DeLay will agree to meet with Sheehan.

"Mr. DeLay's schedule has been set for some time; however, his staff is available to address concerns of local constituents," spokesman Ben Porritt said, declining to elaborate on whether that excludes staff from meeting with Sheehan, a California resident.

DeLay has been nicknamed "The Hammer" for his fervency in pushing the Republican agenda on Capitol Hill and in Texas. He has also been a staunch supporter of Bush and the Iraq war.

"Congressman DeLay has heard from thousands of people from his own district who strongly support our troops, President Bush and the war against terror, and he simply disagrees with those who believe we should cut and run from the fight against terrorism in Iraq," Porritt said.