By a 373-26 margin, the U.S. House of Representatives yesterday approved a resolution calling for a speedy investigation of indicted Congressman William Jefferson (D-New Orleans). The measure directs the Ethics Committee to investigate the federal government’s charges against Jefferson and report to back to the Congress on whether the sweeping indictment merits Jefferson’s expulsion from the U.S. House.Jefferson is facing a 16-count indictment, covering 94 pages of serious charges. If convicted of all of the charges, Jefferson would receive a sentence of 235 years in prison.
Jefferson has been charged with taking more than $500,000 in bribes. If he resigns or is eventually expelled from Congress, he will vacate his second congressional district seat. If the seat opens up, who will run? Possibly, former candidates State Representative Karen Carter (D-New Orleans), State Senator Derrick Shepherd (D-Marrero) and GOP attorney Joe Lavigne may jump into the fray, but the hot rumor in political circles is that New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin will run. Last week, rumors were circulating that Nagin would run for Governor this fall, but a race for Congress seems much more likely.
Nagin was elected last year to his second term as Mayor of New Orleans. Many political observers have criticized Nagin for his inappropriate comments, his controversial appointments and his overall lack of leadership post-Katrina. In fact, this opinion is shared by most voters in New Orleans, as the Mayor’s approval rating is an anemic 19%.
Despite these problems, I hope that Nagin runs for Congress because, if he wins, he will vacate City Hall, allowing New Orleans to receive some badly needed leadership. In Congress, Nagin can do less damage because he will have to deal with 534 other publicity-seeking colleagues. In Congress, Nagin can do what he likes best, which is to seek the national spotlight, make outrageous statements, and court the media, without having to do any real work.
Unfortunately, in New Orleans, the Mayor has been an impediment to recovery. So, if Nagin gets elected to Congress and leaves City Hall, it would be quite beneficial to New Orleans. Once Nagin leaves, the citizens of New Orleans can elect a new leader, who can outline a vision of recovery, represent the citizens in an honorable way and bring people together in the important mission of saving New Orleans. Electing almost anyone else as Mayor would be an improvement over Nagin, except, of course if the voters elect “Dollar” Bill Jefferson.
Jeff Crouere is a native of New Orleans, LA and he is the host of a Louisiana based program, “Ringside Politics,” which airs at 8:30 p.m. Fri. and 10:00 p.m. Sun. on WLAE-TV 32, a PBS station, and Noon till 2 p.m. weekdays on several Louisiana radio stations. For more information, visit his web site at www.ringsidepolitics.com. E-mail him at jeff@ringsidepolitics.com.
Yep, Warrior Queen, and crooks don't know how not to be crooks. our right he is crooked as the day is long
Written by Ole Jarhead
on 6/7/2007
Nagin wouldn't win an election for Congress, but since it seems he lives in a fantasy world, it will be iteresting to see if he thinks he has a chance. Everyone knew it was just a matter of time before Jefferson was indicted, and maybe that was his motive in supporting Jefferson all along. I think all politicians should be held accountable for their actions regardless of race, but we all know it all comes down to who you are and who you know. Evidence Cheney and friends with everything they have done from the federal contracts to spying on citizens. Jefferson and his family have played a dangerous game and left a bad taste in a lot of people's mouths, including African Americans they have taken advantage of. They didn't consider racial solidarity when they were lining their own pockets. He simply got caught doing the wrong thing. I also find it either truly arrogant or ignorant when someone unable to experience something can say to another who has the experience that they know what it's like for them, and it's not so bad or it's their fault. Men will never know what it is like to have a labor pain. People who didn't lose their homes in Katrina can't truly know what it feels like for someone who did. Someone with two arms can't fully understand what it's like to operate with just one. An intelligent person can't understand what it's like to be stupid..
Written by Warrior Queen
on 6/7/2007
Big Daddy D. GEEZ I guess your just a VICTIM aren't,you the WHITE MAN KEEPING YOU DOWN!!! The only thing keeping you down my friend is your ATTITTUDE!! GROW UP! The only reason your a VICTIM IS BECAUSE YOU WANT TO BE! NO one is keeping Black Folks down but other Black folks
Written by Ole Jarhead
on 6/6/2007
Got an idea jeff how about you run. Europeans never commit bribery. money laundering, etc., so I think you should run. Feel sorry for Congressman Jefferson because that is what happen when a black man tries to live in a european society - trying to be part of european America. No matter how hard a black man tries to fit in this european society he should know that the europeans will turn on him and set you up. Black men should never want to be part of this charade as far as being in politics because the european is always out to get you and they always use another black man to turn on his brother so why any black man would want to be any kind of representative for a european government that makes laws to exploit black people. Black people beware no matter how much you try to be accepted by those europeans, you are a fool. You knew those european were after all these years find something to hang on Jefferson. So Jeff, you run.
Written by big daddy d.
on 6/6/2007
In response to the "innocent until proven guilty" remark - yes, that's true. But no one on this board is suggesting that Jefferson be packed off to the slammer right away. What we are suggesting is that someone under this kind of cloud cannot possibly be an effective representative for us, and can only further damage our credibility. If Jefferson really cared about the people of his district, he would step down.
Written by nolalou
on 6/6/2007
We all believe in innocent until proven guilty but given what we know to be fact (marked cash in the freezer) and his associates pleading guilty in the same transactions, I would have to say that saying that he is "innocent of any wrongdoing" would be a stretch. The shame is that he is willing to put New Orleans and Louisiana through a big show trial in the hopes that he will prevail. Still could. Ya never know but sure doesn't look good from where I sit.
Written by Sharon
on 6/6/2007
Hey Jeff:
Perhaps you should run for judge and jury. What about innocent until proven guilty?
Written by Rinaldi
on 6/6/2007
Jeff, you must be joking. Nagin? I know he needs to go but....Louisiana would lose any credibility it has left. Oh wait, he would be a member of the Congressional Black Caucus. Perhaps he could sweet talk Maxine Waters into taking back her comments about the lack of accountability in Louisiana. Hmmmm.
Too bad Jefferson will not step down. It certainly would save the state a lot of money. They could elect a new Congressman during the upcoming Governors race. Too good to be true. He will probably stay until 20008 with no committee assignment and get the free ride til the next election. By then perhaps he will have proven that he "did nothing wrong". I don't know I have seen Democrats get away with worse. Interesting take, Jeff.
Written by Sharon
on 6/6/2007
Jeff.........why would you want to embarrass LA even further by allowing Chocolate City Man to go to DC? He would do to LA what he has done to NO and, black the other eye.....(no pun intended). Don't think your state needs this Racist any further north than Lake Pont. Regroup and Reassess.
Written by JH
on 6/6/2007
Jeff,surely you jest. Nagin, the mayor of New Nigeria, could not "run" his automobile into Bayou St. John if his life depended upon it! The only thing that Nagin has done, is to "run" the city into the bottom of "Katrina's Muck"! I don't think that we need to debate this any further - he ain't gonna run, period! Hooya, PATRIOT WARRIOR.
Written by PATRIOT WARRIOR
on 6/6/2007
Jeff, I COMPLETELY agree with you. This is our only chance to get rid of Nagin. His incompetence as mayor affects us greatly, whereas his incompetence in the House would be diluted to the point of not mattering.
Written by Nolalou
on 6/6/2007
Jeff...have you lost leave of your senses? Promote School Bus Nagin to Representative Nagin? Haven't the people of NOLA suffered enough? wow...I hope your tongue was firming in your cheek when you wrote this.
By a 373-26 margin, the U.S. House of Representatives yesterday approved a resolution calling for a speedy investigation of indicted Congressman William Jefferson (D-New Orleans). The measure directs the Ethics Committee to investigate the federal government’s charges against Jefferson and report to back to the Congress on whether the sweeping indictment merits 
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