Quit Now, Jefferson
May 23
Rep. William J. Jefferson (D-La.), whose Capitol Hill office was raided by the FBI Saturday night as part of a 14-month public corruption probe, said today has no plans to resign and intends to seek reelection in November.
“I plan to go to the floor tonight to vote,” Jefferson said at a late-afternoon news conference. ” . . . I expect to continue to represent the people who sent me here and to try to respond to their needs and their issues. I will continue to do that, so long as they permit me to do to.”
Jefferson was videotaped accepting $100,000 in $100 bills from a Northern Virginia investor who was wearing an FBI wire, according to a search warrant affidavit released yesterday.
Jefferson, buddy, pal: they have you on tape taking bags of money. Your own leader, Pelosi, instructed the Ethics Comitee to go after your sorry behind. It. Is. Over. Go away and stop pretending that you can get anything other than a stint in jail out of this. Coperate with the Feds, do something right for a change, and maybe you can get a lesser sentance. But that is it: you are done. Please have the common courtesy to recognize that fact.
#1 by Tim at May 23rd, 2006
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We need more than this. The Democratic leadership must pop this butt-zit.
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2006/5/23/9011/88116
VirginaDem says it better than I could.
#2 by Bryan at May 23rd, 2006
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The problem is that he may not have actually had the time to break the law. He had to do something for the money, or you have a civil matter, not criminal.
Given what we know, the only reason I can think they haven’t actually indicted him is because they jumped too soon. That may be what they were looking for in his office, something to prove he took some action.
Is the guy corrupt, well he’s a politician from New Orleans, so that’s a given, but did he actually violate a law? Maybe not.
#3 by Janusz at May 24th, 2006
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Jefferson should absolutely step aside, certainly until his legal status is clarified.
How ironic that congressional Republicans, led by Dennis Hastert, are protesting the FBI raid. A breach of the boundaries between the judicial and legislative branches? That has a very hollow ring to it.
#4 by Fred at May 25th, 2006
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Bryan: something to prove he took some action.
Fred: Taking a bribe is an action.