Jefferson Unlikely To Win Back Seat On Ways And Means

[CatWoman]

Go, Nancy, Go!!

Democratic Rep. William Jefferson's runoff victory Saturday in Louisiana raises further political problems for incoming Speaker Pelosi, but she is expected to stand by her decision to permanently remove the embattled lawmaker from the Ways and Means Committee. Jefferson, who was elected to serve a ninth term representing the New Orleans-area 2nd District, faces an FBI bribery investigation that recovered $90,000 in cash in his freezer. Although he has yet to be charged with a crime and has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, Pelosi removed Jefferson from his seat on the Ways and Means Committee earlier this year. The move angered members of the Congressional Black Caucus.

The Democratic steering committee meets Tuesday to begin making committee appointments, starting with the slate of exclusive committees that includes the Ways and Means panel. But Democratic leadership aides said Pelosi will not change her mind while noting that public perception remains important. "There has to be talk with CBC leadership before anything is definitive," said one Democratic leadership aide. Jefferson declined to comment on his committee assignment to local reporters Sunday.


http://nationaljournal.com/pubs/congressdaily/dj061211.htm#1

[Donnachaidh]

1. they damn well better NOT give him *any* committee chairs

Let him bask in the gallery until his court date.

[trumad]

2. To bad Johnny's not around anymore...

;-)

[waiting for hope]

3. Could he be getting the

"Cold Shoulder"?......Or perhaps a bit of "Freezer Burn"?..I need to go get lunch.

[Selatius]

4. If Pelosi had not removed him, the Repubs would latch on and say...

that Dems are just as corrupt as they are. You don't give them easy fights. Would we have been better off leaving Jefferson in or taking him off the committee?

[CatWoman]

10. um

I agree 100% with her taking him off the committee :shrug:

[TahitiNut]

5. I'd feel far more comfortable condemning him if charges were actually filed.

While I don't feel it's necessary to await a conviction when withdrawing the perquisites of a "position of public trust" when there's a "reason to believe" they may have committed a crime, I think formal charges should be filed before he's tried in the media.

That's much of why I don't pile on when such issues are discussed. Whether it's a crime or merely "unbecoming conduct" (i.e. Foley), I think some "due process" is called for.

[BOSSHOG]

6. One recommendation for Pelosi

If (and this is a big if) Jefferson is cleared by the FBI of any charges she should see to it that he gets a good committee appointment. If he is charged by the FBI she should ask him to resign. After all, that's what his "supporters" in New Orleans are hoping for. So they can run their own candidate for his seat and not that uppity Karen Carter.

[Norquist Nemesis]

8. Only one problem with the "if" he's not charged

in a political sense, anyway. It's going to be the exact same playbook as the "Alcee Hastings was impeached!!!!!!" hoopla. (It didn't matter that he was found 'Not Guilty'. OMG! He was impeached!!!!)

At least my NSHO.

Gotta run for now...later!

[NeedleCast]

7. I'm surprised at this

Usually, nothing bring politicians together faster than other politicians being accused of crimes. Well, that and third party candidates. I'm surprised at Pelosi's stance on this and respect her more for it, though she is far from my favorite politician.

[Vanje]

12. ".............'she is far from my favorite politician."'

"I'm surprised at Pelosi's stance on this and respect her more for it, though she is far from my favorite politician."


Well then,
Who IS your favorite politician?

[KingFlorez]

9. And he shouldn't be allowed on any other committee either

[KamaAina]

11. I'm down with this, BUT...

we mustn't make New Orleans pay for Dollar Bill's sins. After all, he won mostly with huge margins in the part of the district outside the city. One of THE most important things our Dem Congress can do is get off its duff and start rebuilding: better late than never!

Think about this: the hard-hit Lakeview neighborhood was gerrymandered years ago into the 1st CD, now featuring repuke Piyush "Bobby" Jindal. Do we not rebuild Lakeview because its congresscritter is a repuke with ambitions for higher office? Of course not. So why punish the rest of the city because its congresscritter takes graft?

Edit: Boss and others: We have liftoff! I'm in the 2nd CD from 1/4-13; see La. forum. :bounce: