Via Glenn Reynolds, there comes a point where one has to wonder if anyone in Barack Obama’s cabinet isn’t tainted.

Obama Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel earned headlines this week upon word that his “renting” of the basement in scarily-spectacled Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT)’s Capitol Hill abode is illegal. Delauro tried to clear up the matter, telling the press that Emanuel’s been staying there for free. Scandal averted? Nope: “Free” is actually worse than “renting,” thanks to the Obama administration’s new and improved ethics rules regarding acceptance of private gifts from personal friends in high places. Delauro’s hub, a Democratic pollster, owns the house. Whoops!

Whoops indeed. I’m only surprised that Emanuel’s problems aren’t tax-related.