Ryan steps up campaign to drum up more public support (Traficant Will Still Win)

The Vindicator (Traficant's Hometown Newspaper) ^ | August 21, 2002 | DAVID SKOLNICK

[PJ-Comix]

Traficant cannot make any public appearances or do any campaigning.

It makes NO DIFFERENCE. Jim Traficant is still going to win this race. Because of the abuses of justice that have been exposed (including the FAILURE of Judge Wells to recuse herself because of her husband's business dealings with the chief prosecution witness) this election will become a REFERENDUM on whether Traficant was railroaded. Since it is obvious that he was railroaded, he will WIN this election.

It will be funny to see the expression of Ryan's face when he finds out he has lost to someone behind bars (unless Traficant is released before Election Day).

[Coop]

I wonder if Howard Stern can do a live feed from Traficant's jail cell? :-p

[Coop]

In all seriousness, I'm wondering if the Pubbie will benefit from the split Dem vote and steal this seat. That would be quite a coup, with the partisan House gap so narrow.

[Dog Gone]

I think Scotty needs to beam you up.

[PJ-Comix]

Ryan is going to ask to be beamed up when he loses to Traficant. BTW, if Traficant is released before Election Day, there is NO WAY he is going to lose. We already have Judge Wells recusing herself in the Detore Case citing the EXACT SAME conflict of interest present in the Traficant case. People laughed at Traficant when he said that Judge Well's husband (Charles Clark) had business dealings with the chief prosecution witness. Well, guess what? Judge Wells herself has now admitted (via her recusal in the Detore case) that the conflict of interest did exist. The release of Traficant on appeal is a NO BRAINER.

[Dog Gone]

At best, Traficant might get a new trial, and if he represents himself again, the outcome will be the same. But even if he was released from prison this afternoon, I am certain his political career is over.

If you can provide a poll indicating otherwise, I'd love to see it.

[ken5050]

The voters of the district might enjoy tweaking the pollsters, and also showing appreciation for what Trafficant has done for them in the past..and he was deemed to be top-drawer on constituent services...but when the get in the privacy of the voting booth..it's very hard to pull the lever for someone behind bars....besides, if he does get elected, by some miracle...the next Congress will refuse to seat him....

[11th Earl of Mar]

If the Democrats would elect convicted coke-head Marion Barry for Mayor of Washington D.C., maybe they will elect your guy too.

[gdani]

I am certain his political career is over.

It should have never went anywhere after he got busted red-handed with the Mob's money. Oh no, I forgot - he was conducting a one-man sting operation.

I think one would be hard-pressed to find anyone who has served as long as that idiot in Congress but delivered less to their constituents.

[gdani]

and also showing appreciation for what Trafficant has done for them in the past..and he was deemed to be top-drawer on constituent services

I'm a former constituent of Jimbo's. Most of my immediate family still lives in Youngstown.

I can't think of a single thing Traficant ever did for his constituents except embarass them.

[NeoCaveman]

In all seriousness, I'm wondering if the Pubbie will benefit from the split Dem vote and steal this seat. That would be quite a coup, with the partisan House gap so narrow.

I can't see a Republican getting more than 40% in OH-17. If Traficant could pull enough Democrat votes, it could happen. It is a long shot but not impossible.

[1Old Pro]

In all seriousness, I'm wondering if the Pubbie will benefit from the split Dem vote and steal this seat. That would be quite a coup, with the partisan House gap so narrow.

My question also.

[ladyinred]

I don't see anything in this article indicating that polls are showing Traficant is leading this race, therefore I must conclude that you added that to the title.

I know he was saying he would be reelected from behind bars, but do you actually believe he will?

[gdani]

I can't see a Republican getting more than 40% in OH-17

The only way a Republican would get anywhere close to, say, 30-40% in that district is if they were anti-"free trade". Just ask Tom Sawyer.

It worked for Steve LaTourette a little farther north.

[NeoCaveman]

The only way a Republican would get anywhere close to, say, 30-40% in that district is if they were anti-"free trade". Just ask Tom Sawyer.

Well she (the Republican) is endorsed by the AFL-CIO, is that anti-trade enough for you?

[Coop]

I was not aware of that. That's gotta be good news anywhere, but especially in an Ohio Dem district.

[NeoCaveman]

I just found that out myself.

From the political oddsmaker website "OH-17 Tim Ryan (D) favored over the field, 8 to 7 (53.3% chance)"

This district is in play. And it's almost always a safe Dem district.

[gdani]

Well she (the Republican) is endorsed by the AFL-CIO, is that anti-trade enough for you?

Check your facts. They endorsed Ryan.

[NeoCaveman]

I was going from old information, she had been endorsed in House races. I should have been more skeptical about the claim that she had gottien an endorsement on a Congressional race.

[Coop]

Well, unfortunately that makes much more sense.