The Sun Herald had a story about Richard Buckman, a former political operative in the John Eaves campaign. Buckman pleaded guilty to tax evasion, and his sentencing that was supposed to be today was postponed. A little digging showed that this ain't Buckman's first rodeo in D circles.

From a Santa Fe New Mexico piece . . .

Buckman is almost an archetypal behind-the-scenes Southern political operative. Chicago political writer Stump Connolly wrote about a hotel bar encounter with Buckman, then working for John Edwards' presidential campaign, while covering the 2004 Wisconsin primary. His description of Buckman — "a dark, brooding man in a dark suit and camel's hair coat leaning into my shoulder" — seemed to indicate someone who enjoyed creating an air of mystery about himself. Besides his political consulting firm in Washington, D.C., he also is a partner in an entertainment business in Los Angeles.

Buckman made national news in 2004 for allegedly offering U.S. Rep. Chip Pickering, R-Miss., an unusual deal. Pickering said Buckman told him Democrats were willing to end their opposition to the nomination of the congressman's father, Charles Pickering Sr., to a federal appeals judgeship. All Rep. Pickering had to do was agree to a redistricting plan that would effectively eliminate his congressional seat. (Buckman denied the story.)