Ex-Rep. (And Ex-Con) Traficant Weighs Comeback

[Freddie Stubbs]

Source: CQ Politics

Beamed out of Congress and imprisoned seven years ago following his conviction on federal corruption charges, ex-Rep. Jim Traficant (D-Ohio) is weighing a political comeback.

Traficant, who was widely known during his House tenure (1985-2002) for his bombastic populism and for his signature “Beam me up!” expression of indignation against the government, said at a press conference Thursday that he would distribute nominating petitions in three congressional districts to gauge support for a 2010 House bid.

Press reports said that Traficant didn’t specify which districts in which he’s weighing a 2010 campaign. But two of them almost certainly are the 17th district, which includes Youngstown and part of Akron and is represented by four-term Rep. Tim Ryan (D), and the 6th district, which envelops part of the Mahoning valley near Youngstown and hardscrabble area in southern Ohio’s Appalachia and is represented by two-term Rep. Charlie Wilson (D).

“I will assess my strengths and make a determination probably by the end of January,” Traficant said, according to the Business Journal Daily.

Read more: http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=news-000003269659

[asjr]

1. Gosh, in the last several years, what

Traficant did seems penny ante knowing what happened during the Bush administration.

[Kolesar]

2. I think the mafia rigged the jury when Sheriff Traficant was acquitted

"way back" in the 1980s.

[Ikonoklast]

3. Traficant is crookeder than Arpaio.

He was a wholly-owned subsidiary of the local mob goons.

[AngryAmish]

8. A mobbed up goon is the dem leader in the IL senate race

[burning rain]

4. Tim Ryan's a former Traficant aid, so it'd be rather nasty for Jimbo to challenge him.

But it wouldn't surprise me with Traficant.

[OnyxCollie]

5. Tim Ryan is my rep and I like him,

but I don't expect the people of Youngstown to be happy with the status quo. The city is an absolute shit hole.

[KamaAina]

6. Traficant's rug could not be reached for comment

[No Elephants]

9. LOL. Now, THAT's a crime.

[LiberalFighter]

11. Isn't that a tribble on his head?

[Dr.Phool]

7. Under Ohio law, Jimbo cannot hold elective office.

The only dis qualifiers are convictions related to public corruption.

However, since he was convicted under Federal law, and it's a federal seat, the rules may be different.

[No Elephants]

10. Anyone who votes for him deserves him.