UPDATE: Jones and Dole rid themselves of Abramoff money; Taylor defiant and incomprehensible

Raleigh--According to the Washington Post, "The biggest corruption scandal to infect Congress in a generation took down one of the best-connected lobbyists in Washington yesterday. The questions echoing around the capital were what other careers -- and what other familiar ways of doing business -- are endangered. 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." [1/4/2006]

"In a plea agreement with government prosecutors Tuesday, Abramoff has agreed to tell the FBI about alleged bribes to lawmakers and their aides on issues ranging from Internet gambling to wireless phone service in the House." [AP, 1/4/2006]

The Republican culture of corruption involving indicted super-lobbyist Jack Abramoff reaches all the way to North Carolina Republicans:

* The North Carolina Republican Party has taken $5,000 from Abramoff.

"The North Carolina Republican Party and Congressmen Taylor and Jones should return Jack Abramoff's tainted contributions immediately," said North Carolina Democratic Party Chair Jerry Meek. "The Republican culture of corruption in Washington is out of control and Abramoff is just the latest example. Once again, the Republicans are standing up for power and greed instead of the working people of North Carolina."