The revolving door in D.C. The bidding for services involves bucks, big bucks. -- Sen. John Breaux (D-La.) is retiring into the big money.

Two of Washington's top lobbying firms -- Patton Boggs and Baker Donelson -- are engaged in a bidding war for retiring Sen. John Breaux (D-La.). And other firms have contacted him.

One source said the bidding for Breaux’s compensation package starts at around $1.5 million per year, not bad for a guy now making a "measly" $155,000.

Breaux is extremely valuable because he is one of the few lawmakers who can work with Republican and Democratic lawmakers. Some lobbyists say that in a deeply partisan town, Breaux would be a major asset for the K Street firm that retains his services.

“He’s the consummate legislator,” said a representative of Baker Donelson . “He doesn’t go down partisan ideological lines.”

Breaux would be one of the biggest catches of the Congress, having built up an expertise in tax law and healthcare as one of the preeminent dealmakers on the Senate Finance Committee.

But what about poor ole Louisiana losing someone with Breaux's personal skills and negotiating abilities. Some political observers say it need not worry. The clout that Louisiana will lose in the new Congress could be mitigated somewhat by gains on K Street.

Only in America. Is this a great country for Sen. Breaux or what?

And dumb me. When I learned last year that he was retiring, I thought he sure must be looking forward to doing a little fishing in the bayou.

(The Hill.)