Former House Speaker Denny Hastert, perhaps a bit angry that he's being represented by a Democrat in Congress, is heading back to Washington to join the law firm Dickstein Shapiro next month, which primarily lobbies for energy and tobacco concerns. Roll Call reports that, while the firm denies the deal is set, an announcement is expected on Monday.

Hastert was a ringleader in the Republicans' 2006 effort to distance themselves from the scandals of convicted GOP lobbyist Jack Abramoff, spearheading efforts to tighten the rules governing lobbyists' access to lawmakers. But that was after he got caught in the mess himself, taking $49,000 from American Indian tribes represented by Abramoff and later sending a letter to Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton urging her to act in their favor.

I wonder how John McCain feels about a powerhouse Republican with decent public standing jumping into the K Street fray?