Abramoff and the fox in charge of the chicken coup

Steve Soto reminds us that when it comes to the Abramoff case the fox really is in charge of the chicken coup.

First, there have been some accounts that Abramoff has been cooperating with the Department of Justice for almost a year now. If so, this means that the White House and Abu Gonzales have had their hooks into this case for a year or so now, which may mean that they have known to a degree what is coming and have the means to manage the fallout from this case. I heard some confirmation of this bad possibility today when it was Alice Fisher of all people who conducted the first DOJ press conference on the plea bargain. Fisher is a political hack, who was put into her top job at DOJ with no prosecutorial experience and with plenty of political connections to steer trouble away from the White House.

Tom DeLay, Bob Ney and Conrad Burns are the ones who come to mind when we think about who Abramoff may take down with him but Steve reminds us that Abramoff's tentacles extend into the White House itself including Karl Rove and Gale Norton. The good news as I see it is that the fox may have to give up congressional members like DeLay and Ney to shield the White House itself. Taking out the House Republican leadership would be a momentous victory even if the White House escapes.

Steve also points out that a leadership change in the Senate for the Democrats may be in order since it appears that Harry Reid may be implicated. It may be necessary for Reid to step down to deny the Republicans ammunition.