Update on King Rat

I usually find right-wing darling Michelle Malkin to be infuriating, which is to say I vehemently disagree with her on just about everything. But she and I are copasetic when it comes to disgraced super lobbyist Jack Abramoff.

Says Malkin:

Abramoff spread his stench across both parties. But principled conservatives must call Abramoff what he is--a sleazebag plain and simple, as I've noted before -- and condemn his criminal activities unequivocally.

(Clarification: Abramoff did indeed lobby for Democrats, although the lion's share of his work was for Republicans. It also should be noted that all of his personal and family contributions went entirely to Republicans and special interest groups. NewsMeat has the entire list.)

Maybe principled conservatives were sleeping in this morning, but I've seen precious little comment -- let alone outrage -- from their quarters. Come out, come out wherever you are!

Meanwhile, the Washington Post had this to say:

Jack Abramoff represented the most flamboyant and extreme example of a brand of influence trading that flourished after the Republican takeover of the House of Representatives 11 years ago. Now, some GOP strategists fear that the fallout from his case could affect the party's efforts to keep control in the November midterm elections. Abramoff was among the lobbyists most closely associated with the K Street Project, which was initiated by his friend Tom DeLay (R-Tex.), now the former House majority leader, once the GOP vaulted to power. It was an aggressive program designed to force corporations and trade associations to hire more GOP-connected lobbyists in what at times became an almost seamless relationship between Capitol Hill lawmakers and some firms that sought to influence them.

While the Wall Street Journal also weighed in:

Making the bribery case especially striking -- and worrisome for members of Congress -- is that some of its elements include transactions that occur in Washington every day. It is commonplace for lawmakers to solicit campaign donations from lobbyists, who routinely offer them in hopes of gaining advantage. Yet Mr. Abramoff also went far beyond routine practice by furnishing lawmakers with lavish trips, free meals and entertainment as well.

As did the fashion conscious James Sturke in the Guardian News Blog:

It has the potential to be the biggest congressional scandal in American history. . . . [Abramoff] could lift the lid on the culture of corruption in Congress.

. . . Meanwhile, amid the complicated allegations of underhand political shenanigans, I was glad to see that I wasn't the only one to be distracted by the hat Mr Abramoff chose to wear outside court yesterday. Could the headgear be an indication of the drama to come, perhaps?

To its credit, the White House issued a strong statement via press maven Scott McClellan denouncing Abramoff:

What he is reportedly acknowledging doing is unacceptable and outrageous. If laws were broken, he must be held to account and punished for what he did.

Abramoff's plea bargain coincides with the release of a new CNN/USA Today/Gallup Poll that found that nearly half of all U.S. adults believe most members of Congress are corrupt.

The poll's key finding -- as well as a warning to parties on both side of the aisle -- was that 55 percent of respondents said corruption will be "the most important" or a "very important" issue to consider when voting in November 2006.

There has, of course, been rampant speculation about who Abramoff might dime out. Here's John Dickerson's take in Slate on who may be most vulnerable:

Rep. Tom DeLay, Texas Republican and currently indisposed House majority leader.

Rep. Robert Ney, Ohio Republican.

Rep. John Dolittle, California Republican.

Ralph Reed, Republican candidate for Georgia lieutenant governor and former executive director of the Christian Coalition.

Sen. Byron Dorgan of North Dakota, the only Democrat on the list.

Grover Norquist, president of Americans for Tax Reform.

David Safavian, indicted former Bush administration chief procurement official.

Rep. Denny Hastert, the House speaker, whose Republican majority may be threatened by the scandal.