Boy, this is going to be ugly.

The Abramoff scandal is going to be a mess. Politicians are now trying to distance themselves, and as usual, making clear their priorites.

President Bush and numerous lawmakers hastily jettisoned campaign donations linked to lobbyist Jack Abramoff on Wednesday as Republican Party officials pondered the impact of a spreading scandal on their 2006 election prospects.

"I wish it hadn't happened because it's not going to help us keep our majority," conceded Rep. Ralph Regula, R-Ohio.

Because what's important isn't the illegal activity, it's that this might make people vote for Democrats.

In all, two dozen Republicans and six Democrats, including Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York, have announced plans this week to return donations, mostly funds that came from Abramoff or Indian tribes he represented.

Rep. Bob Ney, R-Ohio, who faces legal scrutiny for his links to the lobbyist, joined in the rush.

It's important to note there are folks on both sides who will get swept up in this, although I think the focus and the blame will hit the Republicans, leading to further bolster my opinion that we'll see a good bit of change in the next 2 - 4 years.

I also find it interesting that the focus in the media, even from Forbes, is on the Republicans, as if there are no dirty Democrats mixed up in this.