If it looks like a duck, waddles like a duck, quacks like a duck...

According to the Washington Post,

The investigation of Jack Abramoff, the disgraced Republican lobbyist, took a surprising new turn on Thursday when the Justice Department said the chief prosecutor in the inquiry would step down next week because he had been nominated to a federal judgeship by President Bush.

The White House says it isn't a duck:

The administration said that the appointment was routine and that it would not affect the investigation,

but Democrats say that sure looks like a waddle to them:

Democrats swiftly questioned the timing of the move and called for a special prosecutor.

Although we have a country full of lawyers, somehow the Bush administration finds Mr. Hillman, a man in a position to shine light on some ugly truths, the best fit for the new judgeship. That a prosecutor had been, if not bought off, "bought away" from prosecution of what promises to be a major scandal for the administration would be shocking if this sort of behavior hadn't already become routine.

Quack. Quack. Quack.

(Thanks to Alanna.)