Posted on 10/03/2006 4:34:27 AM PDT by Libloather
Groups, daughter endorse Jefferson
By JANET MCCONNAUGHEY
Associated Press writer
Published: Oct 3, 2006
U.S. Rep. William Jefferson delivers brief remarks Monday after receiving endorsements at his campaign headquarters in New Orleans. Jefferson, an eight-term congressman, has endorsements including more than a dozen political groups, including the Democratic Executive Committees of both Orleans and Jefferson parishes, 18 ministers, and 19 labor organizations, including the state AFL-CIO. Associated Press photo by BILL HABER
NEW ORLEANS — U.S. Rep. William Jefferson’s initial endorsements this year are led by his daughter and five other state legislators, a former legislator and one of the city’s seven City Council members.
Until this year, the question wasn’t who would endorse Jefferson, but whom he would back. His own opposition was nominal. Two years ago, after speaking at the Democratic National Convention, he said Republican officials had asked him to switch parties.
But this year, said analyst Silas Lee, “The congressman is running not only against 12 challengers but against the federal government — whether or not he will be indicted.”
Jefferson has not been charged and has denied wrongdoing. But court records allege that he was videotaped taking a $100,000 cash bribe. A large amount of money was found in his home freezer. Two other people have pleaded guilty and been sentenced to prison — a former Jefferson aide for eight years, and a Louisville, Ky., businessman for more than seven.
Asked if he is concerned about the sentences, Jefferson said, “That doesn’t concern me. Those people just do what they do.”
Elected officials who endorsed the eight-term congressman Monday did not include anyone holding citywide or statewide elected offices. They were state Sens. Diana Bajoie and Edwin Murray, and state Reps. Cedric Richmond, Charmaine Marchand, Juan LaFonta and Jalila Jefferson-Bullock, the congressman’s daughter.
The only member of the City Council was Cynthia Willard-Lewis, who represents eastern New Orleans and the Lower 9th Ward, rather than a citywide at-large district. Former state Sen. Samuel B. Nunez, voted out of office in 1995, was also listed as an elected official.
“He needs all the help he can get,” said Ed Renwick, director of the Loyola University Institute of Politics.
Two other council members have announced that they are backing state Rep. Karen Carter. So have former U.S. Sens. John Breaux and J. Bennett Johnston, and former U.S. Rep. Chris John, D-Crowley.
“In the next week or so, we will see the endorsement parade from Karen Carter and Bill Jefferson and maybe some of the other candidates,” Lee said.
On Monday, Carter added three former law enforcement officials: former state Attorney General Richard Ieyoub, former New Orleans District Attorney Harry Connick, and former New Orleans Police Superintendent Sidney Cates III.
Besides Carter, challengers include state Sen. Derrick Shepherd, D-Marrero; Troy Carter, a Democratic former New Orleans City Council member; Regina Bartholomew, D-New Orleans, a lawyer who has worked for the city’s School Board and the U.S. Department of Labor; Joe Lavigne, a Republican attorney from New Orleans; and several other lesser-known candidates. “I don’t know how many Lavigne will have, as well as Troy Carter and Derrick Shepherd,” Lee said. “So it will be a fight for endorsements as well as resources.”
Jefferson’s list — also including more than a dozen political groups, including his own Progressive Democrats and the Democratic Executive Committees of both Orleans and Jefferson parishes, 18 ministers and 19 labor organizations, including the state AFL-CIO — is an impressive one, Lee said.
The Jefferson Parish Democratic Executive Committee’s vote was almost unanimous, “which I will say was pleasantly surprising,” said Chairman Michael M. Davis.
The ministers include the Rev. Zebedee Bridges of Asia Baptist Church and the First District Ministerial Association and Bishop Paul S. Morton Sr., who recently reopened a second Greater St. Stephen Full Gospel Baptist Church, long a New Orleans fixture, in suburban Atlanta for Hurricane Katrina evacuees.
“That’s still very important. The ministers still have a lot of influence in terms of persuading voters to support a particular candidate,” Lee said. “They have a very attentive audience every Sunday for the next couple of weeks.”
7/26/06 - According to a government court filing last week, Jefferson also is under investigation in "at least seven other schemes in which the congressman sought things of value in exchange for his performance of official acts."
10/03/06 - "Those people just do what they do.”
U.S. Rep. William Jefferson listens as the Rev. Zebedee Bridges endorses him for re-election at his campaign headquarters in New Orleans Monday Oct. 2, 2006. Jefferson, an eight-term congressman, has endorsements including more than a dozen political groups, including the Democratic Executive Committees of both Orleans and Jefferson parishes; 18 ministers, and 19 labor organizations, including the state AFL-CIO. (AP Photo/Bill Haber)
He could be indcited this month.
The endorsements are not surprising. Those groups have a saying... "the only good relationship is a compromised relationship." It works wonders for keeping people in line.
Imagine persecuting this poor man just because he kept 'cold hard cash'...../s
When did Nancy Pelosi become a Republican.
Resignation from office when found to be a criminal simply is not in the vocabulary or repertoire of really hard-core Dem'crat elected officials. Jim Traficant was forced out several years ago, by the simple expedient of imprisoning him first, even though he had won repeatedly in his district in Ohio, first as sheriff, then later as Congressional Representative.
So it can be done, if Dem'crats are really willing to remove a serious challenge to their unity of purpose.
Apparently Willian Jefferson does not qualify for the scorn of other Dem'crats, as Jim Traficant did.
Beam me up, Scottie.
Another glaring example of The Democrat Crime Syndicate.
Saddest thing is his constituents will return him to office. There is so much talk of double standards in the Foley case. It's not only among pols and the media though. This illustrates one of the biggest differences between Democrat and Republican rank and file, especially in "urban" districts. They embrace and reward their scoundrels. We get rid of ours. If Foley had run for reelection, he would have been defeated.
Why is anyone surprised at his endorsements.
Didnt Marion Barry get re-elected to the City Council after serving prison time for drugs?
Why is anyone surprised that a Corrupt politician taking bribes should be endorsed by a city long known for bribes.
Wouldnt Ali Baba be endorsed by the Forty thieves??
I explained the same sentiment to a lib co-worker last week. His comments..."That's a good point". Thanks for your reminder. Life is too short to have anti-truth, anti-freedom, anti-life people representing you. It lessens all of our lives.
Hasterts buddy
Apparently the whole country is corrupt.
Where is the outrage?
OK, so now I'm demanding an investigation as to why the Democratic Party leadership have allowed a proven crook in their ranks. The NY Times needs to do an editorial. Nancy Pelosi should step down...........
LMAO........oh man...........how ludicrous; sometimes I just crack me up.............
Its New Orleans. Since when has corruption been a liability for a politician there? :)
Be of good cheer - he will lead, probably, the pack of office seekers (think 25% to 28%)in the primary but in the run-off, Karen Carter will kick him to pen.
Won't matter. He'll be reelcted, proably in a landslide.
You cannot run if you are in jail.
Not so sure about that. Missouri elected a dead guy not too many years ago...
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