Shows you how much I know...William "I Keep $90,000 In My Freezer" Jefferson easily won re-election yesterday in his runoff election in Lousiana's 2nd District. He played his message well: I'm just an innocent guy being wrongly pursued by the federal government. Please.
Do be clear: everyone deserves the presumption of innocence. But, in my humble opinion, there is a nexus between a guy who stashes ninety grand in his freezer and is one of 15 Democrats who cozies up to big business to vote for a trade deal that hurts workers here and abroad. There's a mentality there that seems pretty consistent.
So, it will be interesting to see how the Democratic Party deals with Jefferson, first, in terms of committee assignments and, then, second, after he is likely indicted in 2007 for alleged bribery. I still believe he does not last through this term or will lose in a 2008 primary. We should be encouraging an opponent to start raising money now.
Here's part of what the Associated Press had to say today:
Jefferson Overcomes Scandal, Wins Reelection
Voters looked past a federal bribery investigation of Rep. William J. Jefferson (D-La.) and reelected the eight-term congressman in a runoff election Saturday.
Jefferson grabbed a commanding lead over state Rep. Karen Carter, a fellow Democrat, almost as soon as the polls closed in the New Orleans district. With 44 percent of the precincts reporting, Jefferson, had 61 percent of the vote.
Louisiana's 2nd District was one of the nation's last unresolved midterm races, and the runoff election put Jefferson in danger of becoming the only Democratic incumbent to lose this election year.
In her concession speech, Carter embraced family members and pledged to work with Jefferson, particularly on the area's recovery from Hurricane Katrina.
"I guess the people are happy with the status quo," she said.
Jefferson, Louisiana's first black congressman since Reconstruction, has been the target of a wide-ranging investigation into allegations that he took bribes -- including $90,000 allegedly found in his freezer during an FBI raid -- from a company seeking lucrative contracts in the Nigerian telecommunications market. He has not been charged with any crime and denies any wrongdoing.
He described his win as "a great moment and I thank almighty God for making it possible."
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