A recent Texas Observer article delves even deeper into the muck surrounding the scruples-free Republican lobbyist Jack Abramoff and his pals.

In particular, the article notes that both Abramoff and Grover Norquist used their overly cozy relationships with the President as a fundraising tool - charging clients to get face time with Bush.

The fact that these men used the White House as their own personal fundraising tool is pretty nauseating. Though totally unsurprising. The way that this group of Republican leaders treat the sanctuary of American government as their own personal cigar-smoke filled, back-slapping boys club should make as all very scared. And dissapointed. We can do better.