WASHINGTON - House Majority Leader Tom DeLay asked Senate Republicans on Tuesday to be patient while he defends himself against a Democratic campaign to unseat him and news reports about his ethics. During the weekly closed-door meeting of Senate Republicans, which DeLay recently began attending to discuss House matters, the Sugar Land lawmaker thanked Republicans for their support. DeLay said his political troubles are part of a Democratic assault on the Republican agenda, senators said. DeLay asked the senators to "give him a chance to defend himself," said Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., who expressed confidence that an eventual House ethics...