CA-04: Kevin Ring Spells Trouble For Doolittle, Republicans

Even though John Doolittle is not on the ballot this year, his presence in a district that he dominated for years is still important for Republican branding. Much like in Ohio, where the Tom Noe Coingate scandal spelled doom for all Republican statewide officers in 2006, the stench of scandal around Doolittle has the potential to severely tarnish the Republican brand in CA-04. And if yesterday's indictment of former Doolittle aide Kevin Ring is as advertised, which it appears to be, the brand isn't just tarnished, it's out in the dumpster:

The indictment adds additional information to Doolittle's already thick record with Abramoff. According to the indictment, Ring expensed at least one suite for a sports event, eight concert tickets (including tickets for Dixie Chicks and Faith Hill), and five meals totaling more than $2000 for Doolittle. For Doolittle's staff and his legislative director in particular, Ring bought 29 sports tickets, four concert tickets, nine meals, and one gift from Macy's.

But Ring and Abramoff were well accommodated in return. As the indictment describes, Doolittle proved himself "a good soldier" by chairing a hearing on the Puerto Rico statehood issue for an Abramoff client and held up his opposition to an anti-gambling bill among other favors.

And Doolittle's staff was just as helpful. Doolittle's communications director helped Ring out with tax legislation to "earn [his] Sigs Sushi ;)," and his legislative director was so "tenacious on the appropriations front" that he earned an esteemed compliment from Ring in an email: "You the man."

Doolittle is referred to (as "Representative 5") in the indictment over 100 times. If he's actually indicted before the election, that will be a boost for Charlie Brown, as the culture of corruption which helped him to a near-upset in 2006 would come back into play. And with carpetbagger Tom McClintock trying to lie his way to victory (subs. req.), his claim to the ethical high road isn't all that firm, either.