"WASHINGTON — House Democrats, determined to make an election-year point about ethics, voted 99-58 Thursday night to strip Rep. William Jefferson of his committee assignment while a federal bribery investigation runs its course.
The rank and file acted despite a last-minute plea by the embattled Louisiana lawmaker and persistent complaints from the Congressional Black Caucus that there was neither rule or precedent for the action.
Jefferson has not been indicted and maintains his innocence. In remarks to reporters, he conceded that "serious allegations" swirl around him.
After weeks of defiance, he also left open the possibility that he might at last surrender the seat voluntarily before the issue reaches the House floor for final action. "I don't want to speculate," he said.
The three-hour closed door meeting marked the culmination of a drive by the Democratic leader, Rep. Nancy Pelosi of California, to take action. "This isn't about proof in a court of law. This is about an ethical standard," she told reporters."
Not a good month for the Donkey. Fact is by this move they just killed themselves in November. Folks Pelosi doesn't give a crap about ethics (see here), but she and the rest of the Donkey leadership want Jefferson and his dollars to just 'go away' so they can return to that "culture of corruption" nonsense.
But the fact is that the Republicans have them knee jerking all over the place. With success running rampant (as I told you - Bang of a Summer), the Democrats are in a panic mode. Yeah, Jefferson's a crook and yes the move was a good one, but the Democrats will take the brunt of the heat from Jefferson's supporters.
The last thing the DNC wanted to do was alienate the CBC, and same is not too pleased, and in the following there is a hint of reprisal in November.
"The chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, Rep. Melvin Watt, said after the vote that by taking the action they did, fellow Democrats chose "political expediency" or some other unacceptable factor over precedent. "Even at the end of the meeting we don't know what the standard has been," he said.
Watt said that constituents of some lawmakers will adopt the view that race was a factor in the decision. "I think there are people who will say that's the basis," he said. Blacks are among the Democrats' most loyal voters."
Yep, not a good week to be a Jackass.
UPDATE: Fearless Prediction - The Democrats will LOSE BIG in 2006. I agree.
UPDATE II: Just a thought: Jefferson has been around a while - seen some things, apparently greased some palms along the way as well as greasing others. What IF he decides "Payback is a Bitch"? Say for instance he pulls a Abramoff and trades blab for favor with the Feds? Who could he tell on? What does Dollar Bill know?
Just a throught....
iraq Politics News bush john conyers william jefferson
Subscribe by Email
Follow Updates Articles from This Blog via Email
No Comments