In an earlier installment, remarking on some trenchant Q&O observations about Blunt rigging a question & answer session, yours truly (like many other bloggers) drew the hopefully-obvious parallel between the appearance of corruption among Republicans and Roy Blunt's own apparent modus operandi.

Now it turns out (see update at bottom) that Blunt's spokewoman, Jessica Boulanger -- who unwisely publicly lashed back at Dale Franks of Q&O, generating more coverage fo the controversy -- used to work for the embattled Tom Delay, and is married to a lobbyist (talk about a conflict of interest!) -- and no ordinary lobbyist, but one who worked for Abramoff!

So, um, yeah -- we want this guy in leadership why, again?

On the other hand, this might be good news, if the revelation is sufficiently embarassing to make Republicans wake up and realize that little things like scruples and ethics are more important than an apparent ability to "get things done" by any means necessary.