After 17 years in the House of Representatives, Republican California Congressman John Doolittle is calling it quits.  Doolittle has been under investigation for the last three years for alleged ties to convicted felon and former lobbyist Jack Abramoff.  He will serve the remainder of his 9th term, but will not seek a 10th.

Doolittle appears to have had a fairly standard quid pro quo arrangement with Abramoff, who has admitted to bilking millions from his Native American tribal clients.  Congressman Doolittle allegedly interceded on behalf of Abramoff’s clients, while receiving tens of thousands of dollars for campaign contributions in return for his assistance.

Doolittle’s wife, Julie, was also paid in excess of $66,000 between September 2002 and February 2004 to plan a fundraising event for Abramoff that never took place.  

The National Ledger

The main players of the Culture of Corruption continue to drop like flies.  Once we get rid of Stevens and Young that house will pretty much be cleaned up.  I think Ted Stevens does have a primary challenger but I’m not sure who.  I don’t know that Young does.