Your analysis is very correct!
This issue, as with others, previous, by and about Democrats, illustrates the scenario of the person captured in crime who then paints a detailed story about how he's been framed and/or reports as to crimes and such by others, attempting to redirect the attention elsewhere (and offering to help!).
Not to -- not at all -- excuse or dismiss corruption by Republicans, by anyone, just that politically, Democrats use these tar&feather hunts of theirs for Republicans to almost routinely deflect attention as to their own deeds and behaviors and schemes and such.
Every time I hear Ted Kennedy and Joe Biden, for just a few examples among Democrats, harp about anything moral or "outrage" and especially about "the little guy," I cringe, given both of their legacies about exploiting, even lethally, the very lives of others. Ted Kennedy harping about "the little guy" is particularly offensive, as if he's actually ridiculing personal worth, given his legacy of calculated ripoff of the worst possible degree.
RIP, Mary Jo Kopeckne and whoever else we may never know about.