Posted on 01/17/2010 9:12:06 AM PST by Salena Zito
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- They said he couldn't be coached.
James Traficant played quarterback for the University of Pittsburgh, and was drafted and released by the Steelers. But when his pro football career didn't pan out, he ended up in politics -- serving 17 years in Congress.
"I got involved in politics, like a fool," Traficant said, sitting in the back booth of the Yankee Kitchen diner. "Made a lot of enemies. Found myself in prison and seen the underside, the underbelly, of the United States of America."
The colorful Traficant, 68, is free after seven years in prison. He was convicted in 2002 of bribery, racketeering and filing false tax returns for accepting free gifts and free labor from businessmen and cash kickbacks from his staff.
Now, he wants to get back to Washington. Known for his shock of unruly gray hair, populist ravings and eccentric behavior, Traficant is plotting a revolt he expects will return him to Congress -- or at least into the national discussion.
"He is brilliant in expressing the views of the common person on the street and how they feel about things," said William Binning, interim chair of political science at Youngstown State University. "And they're feeling worse about things than they were before, so he has more people."
Released from prison in September, Traficant
(Excerpt) Read more at pittsburghlive.com ...
“Found myself in prison...”
Uh, not exactly.
Oh please let it be true!
DEMOCRAT, James Traficant...
Unfortunately he now seems to have decided to join the ranks of the Truthers.
Just what the democrap party needs, another crook. You can’t make this sh_t up.
no party affiliation until PARAGRAPH NINE!
“seen the underside, the underbelly, of the United States of America”
No, democorrupt, you ARE the underside, the underbelly, of the United States of America. You seen that because you ARE that.
While that's a requirement for joining the Democrat Party, Republicans kinda frown on those resume items.
Always felt that Traficant was ‘set up’ because he was always outspoken even against the democrat machine. I always liked him...although, his positions regarding Israel are questionable. And now he’s floating around ‘conspiracy theories’ on 9-11...which to me is unacceptable. But unlike Juan McCain, Traficant was always a true ‘Maverick’
Let me get this straight, as a convicted felon he can’t vote but he can run for Congress....Amerika what a country!
I’ve always like Trafficant, even though he did seem to have a bit of a ‘nutty’ side.
Another democrat who passes through the criminal justice system to rise within the ranks of the democrat party.
Right of Passage.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ti0X3DJZWTY
illegal aliens
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VirPTML15Oo
prayer in schools
Yea, it’s as if he went to bed one night, in his own bed, and then awoke the next day in a cell, and he was completely detached from anything involved in getting behind bars.
I wish someone would tell him: “Jimmy, it doesn’t work quite that way.”
Beam me up!!!! I’ve always liked Traficant. He’s easily my favorite Dem of all-time. He’s way better than Reid, Stretch, and Milhaus. In fact, if it came down to it, I’d vote for Traficant over a RINO.
“Always felt that Traficant was ‘set up’ “
Me too! I enjoyed his rants! He was actually quite a thorn in the denofrats side. They hated him, and wanted someone else in his chair. They were after him for years. Youngstown, Mahoning Valley. A Union and Mob stronghold!
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