But Simpson's letter took the level of scrutiny to a whole new level.As Schmalfeldt asked in a recent post, how did Akbar go so quickly from being a small-time criminal thug to a prominent position within the GOP, one where he has his picture taken with such luminaries as Newt Gingrich and Tim Pawlenty?he is the kind of rise that seemingly could only happen with the help of a powerful booster.