Posted on 09/15/2009 9:18:23 PM PDT by kingattax
Former Ohio Democrat Eligible to Run, But Does He Have Support? ---
He may be down, but don't count him out.
Former Democratic congressman James Traficant, fresh off completing a seven year prison term for a bribery and racketeering conviction, says he has not ruled out running for Congress again.
"I'm not sure at this point," Traficant told CNN on Monday when asked if he would seek reelection. "Both parties would not want to see me in Washington, believe me… I was very controversial down there."
Traficant, known for his flamboyant appearance and fiery political speeches, served nine terms representing Ohio's 17th congressional district. He was convicted in 2002 and later expelled from the House of Representatives .
Traficant has been outspoken about his imprisonment in the week since his release, appearing on a number of national television and radio talk shows.
"Nelson Mandela said if you really want to know the truth about a nation, you gotta go through their prisons," Traficant told Fox News on Sept. 10. "Believe me, he's right. And I learned an awful lot about America going through the prisons."
Supporters of Traficant have long held that he was the target of a government conspiracy -- despite a jury finding him guilty on 10-counts including bribery, filing false income tax returns, obstruction of justice, conspiracy to defraud the United States and racketeering.
"I'd be the first one to support him" if he ran for office, said Linda Kovachik, a friend and former Traficant staffer. "And I think people are going to realize he really got the royal screwing and that his conviction was unjust."
(Excerpt) Read more at abcnews.go.com ...
James POS Traficant BUMP! Just go away IDIOT!
word!
Go for it … you piece of crap, considering your heritage and political background, you might get elected. As a matter of fact, you probably will get elected, considering the current political conditions.
He’s better than 90% of the so called Republicans!!!!
He is also qualified to be a Democrat congressman....
Bad timing for Traficante-—just as ACORN is tanking now there may not be enough fraudsters to pull him over the line
to a cheating victory. Shame in that he would fit right in with Pelosi’s culture of Dem corruption in DC.
Traficant took on the IRS. Too few congressmen do that.
I was thinking either Secretary of the Treasury (oops, too late, someone with equal qualifications beat him to it) or head of the IRS, actually.
You took on your whole corrupt party and got nailed for it.
Run for Senator in the primaries, IMO opinion you'll win.
Based on your record in Congress, your conservative values, and spunk, you'll be a shoo in.
If Alcee Hastings can do it, James the wig can do it! There aren’t enough conspiracy nuts in the Congress to cover for the criminal democrats, so let him back in!
“He’s better than 90% of the so called Republicans!!!!”
I always thought he had a certain ‘classy’ style. Called a spade a spade. Better than that dickweed Flake in AZ.
Trafficant didn't need acorn, and he voted for Hastern not his own corrupt party. Now that's a little truth for you.
He’s still got a following. He had a better voting record than most Democrats.
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