Tom DeLay now, as quoted in Roll Call:

In his letter to Republican constituents, mailed out by his re-election campaign this week, DeLay acknowledges that he faces political problems due to his ethical problems, although he dismisses the allegations as "baseless" charges ginned up by a "liberal press."

[...]

"A final word on Jack Abramoff: the notion that he was a close friend who wielded influence over me is absolutely untrue," DeLay wrote. "As Whip and Majority Leader, I met with many people who brought issues before Congress and sought support of both Republicans and Democrats."

DeLay added: "The reality is, Jack Abramoff and I were not close personal friends. I met with him only occasionally, in fact less frequently than numerous others who brought issues before Congress - never did he receive preferential treatment. To be certain, I knew nothing about the crimes for which he has pled guilty." Abramoff pleaded guilty last month to tax evasion, fraud, and conspiracy to bribe public officials, among other things.

Tom DeLay then, from a story in the Dallas Observer (and other places, including the book "The Hammer"):

"When one of my closest and dearest friends, Jack Abramoff, your most able representative in Washington, D.C., invited me to the islands, I wanted to see firsthand the free-market success and the progress and reform you have made," DeLay said, after thanking Tan for 'that great introduction."

UPDATE: It's in the Chron today.