WP: Scandals Take Toll On Bush's 2nd Term

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/10/13/AR2005101301955.html

Scandals Take Toll On Bush's 2nd Term

By Jim VandeHei and Peter Baker
Washington Post Staff Writers
Friday, October 14, 2005; Page A01


A string of scandals involving some of the most powerful Republicans in Washington have converged to disrupt President Bush's agenda, distract aides and allies, and exacerbate political problems for an already weakened administration, according to party strategists and White House advisers.

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"It looks like a perfect storm," said Joseph E. diGenova, a Republican and former independent counsel, who noted that so many investigations can weigh on an administration. "People have no idea what happens when an investigation gets underway. It's debilitating. It's not just distracting. It's debilitating. It's like getting punched in the stomach."

Beyond the short-term problems, Republicans are particularly anxious about the sprawling investigations into conservative lobbyist Jack Abramoff, whose business and political dealings regularly brought him into contact with dozens of lawmakers and top White House officials. Among insiders, he was one of the most familiar faces among the generation of operatives and lobbyists who came of age when Republicans took control of Congress 11 years ago.

"The one that people are most worried about is Abramoff because it seems to have such long tentacles," said former congressman Vin Weber (R-Minn.), a lobbyist with close ties to the White House. "This seems to be something that could spread almost anywhere . . . and that has a lot of people worried."

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