Times may be tough for Republicans looking for work on K Street after the election, but one job seeker who is likely to land gainful employment is Rep. Jim McCrery, R-La. Sources say that McCrery, who is retiring from Congress at the end of this year, has been chatting with a few lobbying shops with hefty tax practices. One is Washington Council Ernst & Young, while another is Patton Boggs, which boasts famously strong Cajun connections via partner Tommy Boggs.

Meanwhile, other lobbyists are buzzing that Sen. John Sununu ,R-N.H., who was defeated for reelection, has been having job talks with Google about a post that would likely be outside of D.C. and might not involve lobbying.

                                                                                                              -- Peter H. Stone