This scandal has the potential to have a huge effect on K Street for decades. It will not only further shape people's opinions about lobbying but could also lead to reform.

It's mostly a bipartisan scandal.

These are the people that really get things done. There is a premium on them and there is a reason.

He has a plausible defense; he could say he's fighting for his constituency, and that's true in large part. The thing is, the contributions undercut his argument. The money really complicates it, or even compromises the integrity behind the action.

It's a huge questionable situation. When it comes to lobbying, clients gravitate toward those with connections and being the chairman of someone's campaign is a huge connection because they control the lifeblood of that campaign.

It's almost like a lobbyist tax, to hire somebody out of K Street (the Washington lobbyists) with local taxes and tuition dollars to work on their behalf.