AP:

In an ominous election-year sign for Republicans, Americans are leaning sharply toward giving Democrats control of Congress, an AP- Ipsos poll finds. Democrats are favored 49 percent to 36 percent.
The poll was taken this week as Republican lobbyist Jack Abramoff pleaded guilty to tax evasion, fraud and corruption charges and agreed to aid a federal investigation of members of Congress and other government officials.

I point back to our editorials on reform and the Majority Leader situation. This perception and reaction won’t have to last long if the GOP gets up front making reform efforts. Obviously the GOP is not alone in the culture that made this Abramoff mess possible. “But Republicans should embrace a tough reform package that tightens up on lobbying disclosure and cracks down on the earmarked spending that is bait for corrupting lobbyists. A majority that deserves to stay a majority must demonstrate that it is capable of policing itself.”