Posted on 02/20/2010 12:44:53 PM PST by cajuncow
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (Associated Press) -- A former Ohio congressman who served seven years in prison for corruption says he's leaving the Democratic Party and considering a run for office as an independent.
James Traficant (TRAF'-eh-kehnt) made the announcement Saturday on his talk show on WTAM-AM in Cleveland. He did not specify which seat he was eyeing for a run.
Traficant was elected to nine terms as a Democrat from Youngstown before serving time for racketeering, bribery, obstruction of justice and tax evasion. He was released in September.
(Excerpt) Read more at ww2.cox.com ...
What, the democrat party isn't corrupt enough for him?
Somehow, I don’t think the Democrats are too worried about this. The only real threat is that whoever is the Democrat in that office may lose a close race to a Republican if enough of Traficant’s followers vote for him. Otherwise, I don’t think he’ll have much impact. Although the debates could get entertaining. ;-P
Why exactly are felon politicos like him not barred for life from ever holding *any* public office again? From dog catcher on up?
Why are felon’s not banned from political office? Maybe because you’ll have court opinions like this:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2455729/posts
Bad enough, but my question specifically concerned felonous *politicians*. Like Traficant or Marion Berry. Sex offenders are barred from all kind of things - like living within x feet from schools, playgrounds, whatever. Fair enough (or not). So why shouldn’t convicted politicians be banned from ever getting closer to any public office by x feet? (That’s a rethorical question - sex offenders don’t make the rules, politicians do. And they’re the worse lot!)
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