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Odds facing Rep. Jefferson's re-election bid grow longer
by Frank Donze and Michelle Krupa, The Times-Picayune Saturday June 14, 2008, 8:02 PM
By most accounts, U.S. Rep. William Jefferson defied the odds two years ago when he won re-election under the intense glare of a federal investigation of his business dealings.
CLICK HERE FOR DISTRICT MAPThough that victory bolstered the perception that the embattled Democrat can never be counted out, handicappers say the road back to Washington for Jefferson looks even more precipitous as he gears up to run for a 10th term in his 2nd Congressional District seat.
Just more than a year ago, the Justice Department indicted Jefferson on 16 counts of public corruption charges. Though Jefferson staunchly defended his innocence, his colleagues swiftly stripped him of plum committee assignments.
This month, the muck thickened for Jefferson. The congressman's sister, Orleans Parish 4th District Assessor Betty Jefferson, along with his brother and political adviser, Mose Jefferson, were indicted on charges that they conspired to loot more than $600,000 in taxpayer money from three charities they set up to aid inner-city youths. At least six other Jefferson relatives were implicated in the indictment.
The latest legal troubles followed the April indictment of Mose Jefferson on separate charges that he bribed the former president of the Orleans Parish School Board.
The fallout appears to have put a serious crimp in William Jefferson's fundraising. Heading into the 2006 election, he had a $325,000 war chest. Jefferson's latest finance report shows that as of March 31, he had $57,000 in the bank, plus more than $255,000 in debt. The latter sum included nearly $190,000 of his own money loaned to the 2006 campaign.
The confluence of events has placed Jefferson's political career "on the brink," according to veteran New Orleans political consultant Bill Rouselle.
"I'm a big Yogi Berra fan, and I never say anything is over until it's over," said Rouselle, who has handled several losing campaigns against the Jefferson family. "And I've seen miracles in my lifetime. But this is one I'm skeptical can happen."
Seat attracts interest
Jefferson's trial was originally set for January, but it is now scheduled to begin Dec. 2, after the fall elections. His associates say they expect him to run, but the incumbent has been cagey about his intentions. Jefferson says he never makes a formal announcement.
"I'm not going to announce it. I never do. I just qualify and run," he said recently.
With Jefferson enmeshed in controversy, challengers have begun to eye his seat, which represents most of New Orleans, most of Jefferson Parish's West Bank and parts of south Kenner. Though nearly a month remains before the July 9 start of the three-day qualifying period, state Rep. Cedric Richmond of New Orleans and Jefferson Parish Councilman Byron Lee announced last week that they are running. Former WDSU-TV news anchor Helena Moreno is expected to declare her candidacy July 8. All three are Democrats.
Several others have said they are pondering a run, including three New Orleans candidates who ran two years ago: state Rep. Karen Carter Peterson, a Democrat who lost in the runoff; Republican lawyer Joe Lavigne; and former City Councilman Troy Carter, a Democrat.
Also rumored as candidates are Kenya Smith, who will resign Friday as an aide to Mayor Ray Nagin; and Republican Gary Clark, a political science professor at Dillard University.
With Lee running, state Sen. Derrick Shepherd, a Marrero Democrat who finished third in 2006, is likely not to run. A cousin and longtime political ally of Lee, Shepherd pleaded innocent in April to federal charges stemming from a money laundering scheme.
Closed primaries
Candidates have to decide soon whether to fling their hats into the ring -- and figure out how to maneuver under new election rules.
After three decades, Louisiana has eschewed the open primary system in congressional elections in favor of closed party primaries, meaning Republican and Democratic candidates will compete in their own primaries.
The primaries will be Sept. 6, with party runoffs slated for Oct. 4 if necessary. The general election is Nov. 4. Under the new system, independents and unaffiliated candidates do not participate in the primaries but are guaranteed a spot on the Nov. 4 ballot, when the nation also will choose a president.
Election watchers said they expect to see numerous candidates jockeying for position.
"There's blood in the water, and they can sniff it," University of New Orleans political scientist Ed Chervenak said. "People see this as a golden opportunity."
The change in political dynamics is perhaps best illustrated by Richmond's decision to challenge Jefferson, whom he endorsed in 2006.
Just two years ago, Richmond cited the importance of having a seasoned veteran in Congress, adding that he would run for the seat only if Jefferson retired.
Kicking off his campaign Wednesday night, Richmond declined to comment on Jefferson's legal problems or criticize the incumbent, saying only that voters are ready for a change.
"I think the congressman, over his tenure, he did a good job," Richmond said. "I just don't think the people of this district can take much comfort in tenure right now. They have to take comfort in the hope for tomorrow."
Jefferson Parish factor
One wild card this year will be the impact of the Jefferson Parish electorate, with voters in parts of the West Bank and Kenner making up about 30 percent of the 2nd District's registered voters.
In 2006, Shepherd harnessed the support of the Jefferson Parish political establishment. After finishing a strong third in the primary, Shepherd played a pivotal role in the outcome by endorsing the incumbent, who won the runoff with a whopping 70 percent of the vote in Jefferson Parish while squeezing past Peterson in Orleans Parish with just 51 percent.
Jefferson's suburban support two years ago also owed to a campaign by the late Sheriff Harry Lee to defeat Peterson as retribution for her comments in a Spike Lee documentary. Peterson chastised Jefferson Parish law enforcement officials for blocking New Orleans residents' escape from the flooded city across the Crescent City Connection after Hurricane Katrina.
Chervenak said a replay of that scenario is unlikely with the bridge incident nearly three years old and Lee absent from the political stage for the first time in nearly 30 years.
Another variable could be the party-primary system, though the six-to-one edge enjoyed by Democrats in the district suggests that the ultimate winner will be decided in the October Democratic Party runoff.
Nevertheless, Lavigne, who finished fourth in the 2006 primary, said he might run so the incumbent can't cruise to victory in the November general election because the GOP didn't field a qualified candidate.
"My biggest concern is making sure the people of the 2nd District have a choice besides Bill Jefferson," Lavigne said.
New Orleans political consultant Ron Nabonne said he expects Jefferson to recycle the 2006 script, reminding voters repeatedly that he has not been convicted of anything.
"If I were he, I would say, 'Look at the Bush Justice Department and how they have gone after Democrats across the nation and gone after their own U.S. attorneys,' " Nabonne said. "I would say that these charges are baseless and politically motivated."
But pollster Bernie Pinsonat questioned whether the innocent-until-proven-guilty argument will be as effective this time around. "He's going to have to ask voters to buy in that his whole family should be presumed innocent of all these different charges," Pinsonat said. "Boy, that's a lot of people."
Frank Donze can be reached at fdonze@timespicayune.com or (504) 826-3328.
Michelle Krupa can be reached at mkrupa@timespicayune.com or (504) 826-3312.
i live in bill "the ice man" jeffersons
district.
And I swear by great Odins beard
If he wins
I WILL SLIT MY WRISTS AND BLEED OUT ON HIS FRONT LAWN!
It is time for someone besides Bill Jefferson to represent the 2nd congressional district. This area cannot afford another 2 years of his continued impotence.
Hahahahaahahaha the Jefferson clan is on their way out of the door!!!!
How is this criminal still a member of the U.S. House of Representatives? What's worse; the Harvard educated white-collar criminal, or the morons who voted for him?
The choices in '06 were Jefferson, Karen Carter, & Derrick Shepherd.
That was a Hobson's Choice.
Two crooks and a west-bank hater.
Those who voted for Jefferson hoped that he would be indicted and/or convicted, resign either by choice or by force, and a special election would be held with a new field of potentials.
Perhaps this time we will have a better crop of candidates. Byron Lee is not a better choice, that's for sure.
How about one of above posters run. And when will the media stop portraying every election as a horserace. It's an election.
Are you asking me to run DunesRiver? Thought about it. Don't really want to live in DC.
Obama says "let my people go", he can pardon Jefferson when he gets elected.
Obama says "let my people go", he can pardon Jefferson when he gets elected.
Funny, I've never heard obama say "let my people go" ... This must be just another false attribution in a whole line of false attributions and statements made about the man.
Keep this in mind. Cedric Richmond voted against the pay raise while Karen Carter voted for it.
Cedric Richmond was looking at this election. Karen Carter probably isn't.
The people in that district will vote him back in to office as they have done for 2 decades. They are stupid, always will be stupid and will never change. This is the state of the city.
Don't forget bros, be true vote brother Dollar Bill Jefferson. Keep it real.
Anyone who votes against Jeferson simply because he has been indicted by the corrupt Bush Administration is, mineshaft and powermeter, and others, the idiot.
Yes, the Justice Department is controlled by appointees of the Bush anti-American clan. This Justice Department is the same one that FIRED qualified U. S. Attorneys because they did not rush filing charges against Democratic officials in time to sway the election against them. In Alabama, the Karl Rove jackboots did succeed in getting a Governor indicted and defeated, and now the courts have releaswed him for prison which the investigation into misconduct continues.
How about the FBI and Justice Department raided Jefferson's home and office three years ago? It took them over two years to indict. They can't tell that people from Muslim countries who are training to land planes only and people who are buying excessive amounts of fertilizer are terrorists, and I'm suuposed to have my vote altered by incompetence of this magnitude?
No thanks. I'll loook at his positions on tax cuts for the middle class, getting our brave soldiers out of the meet grinder of Iraq, cutting the budget deficit to get this country moving again, and aid to retruning veterans and more before i make my decision. If there's someone else who offers what is in my interest better than he, that person will get my vote.
What I will not do is vote like a drone or someone who has been given a frontal lobotomy ... just because the Times Picayune and Gambit have decided that they want a new Congressman because the FBI has said "elect anybody else". What I would like is for them to support the resignation of people who have already sinned for their association with prostitutues, or the resignation of eleted officials who have send thousands to their deaths in Iraq based on LIES, and for the resignation of politicians who solicit same sex liasons in bathroom stalls.
Since these right wingers have been allowed to keep their positions, I won't demand the resignation of anyone and will vote my interest come election day. I'll let the issues decide for me.
"Conservatives". Laughing out loud. What a joke. 'Vote against someone because a budget deficit, send troops to the deaths, letting criminals go free group of people who get their issues only from the media's ranting and raving says so says so? Hell, no!
It is time for Dollar Bill to ride off into the sunset, I mean to federal prison, with his siblings. The 2nd District embarrassed itself 2 years ago by re-electing a man facing certain indictment, and who was already a political parriah in Washington because his fellow Dems ran away from him as fast as possible. It is time for the 2nd District to take responsibility and send a clean representative to Washington to help move legislation through the House to benefit New Orleans.
Let's not forget the great Congressional Black Caucus and our local idiot Raygun who have steadily backed this crook and his family.
Innocent until proven guilty is the dictum for a court of law but not necessary for the court of common sense and reason.
The Jefferson Crime Family steals from his constituents and their children; yet these constituents will probably re-elect him.
If you need to know more about this, google "vendome place William Jefferson" to get the entire story on this crook.
wakeupfriend... just because bush and his cronies are evil doesn't mean Jefferson and his family aren't crooks.
Certain constituents always point to the Northshore, Baton Rouge, and Washington DC to divert attention from the crime and political corruption in N.O.
What else can they do if they wish to continue to support such criminals?
Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington recently submitted a brief to the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, Va., that urges the court to reject an appeal by Rep. William Jefferson's attorneys asking it to throw out most of the federal corruption charges pending against the congressman. Jefferson's attorneys, who filed a second brief with the court last week, argue that the Virginia grand jury that indicted the New Orleans Democrat on bribery and other charges heard testimony about his legislative activities in violation of the Constitution's speech or debate clause, which protects the legislative branch from interference from the executive branch. CREW, a Washington advocacy group, said that argument, if accepted by the court, would make it virtually impossible to hold members of Congress accountable. "Members of Congress will not be -- as the framers intended -- merely free from intimidation by the executive and a hostile judiciary, they will be unaccountable for criminal behavior that would result in the conviction and incarceration of others, including members of the judicial and executive branches," CREW said in its brief.
jimzak
you've got that right. I suppose when there is absolutely nothing worth defending regarding Jefferson's corruption, one can always attempt to deflect, deflect, deflect. e.g., what does a Senator in Idaho have to do with a congressman from Nola? Nothing. And what does Craig have to do with this particular article? Nothing. And why would a New Orleans periodical call for the resignation of an elected official from a state 2000 miles away? That would be ludicrous.
wakeupfriend, voting for someone other than Jefferson is not necessarily supporting the continuation of the war in Iraq. It is not that simple, and pointing out other's foibles or other atrocities in the world doesn't lessen Jefferson's culpability in THIS matter.
Well here we go, they are lining up, some to continue their feedings at the public trough at a higher level, others, just to continue feeding. Of all of them the one that really should not get it is that Kenya Smith fella, mr. arrogant, who has yet to produce his guest list of who he "partied like a rock star" with on 12-15-07 at "Rays Over the River" which cost the taxpayers of N.O. almost $3k dollars. N.O. and LA...what a combo.
Yes Obowelma will pardon Jeff and the girlfriends
if they ever be indict.
Maybe Badon Rouge will run to keep the seat.
First bill will be to raise pay.
Modern day Robin Hoods take from the rich and poor give to the rich and keep the poor poor.
In Mishelle's words It is alll Whiteys fault.
Some posters live in dream world there will be
no change but the man at the top. Do you like that??
jimzak on 06/15/08 at 9:02AM
Whom or who brought up the Congressional Black Caucus? Whom or who left out Harry Lee's endorsement of William Jefferson?
Sincerely, I hope Mr. Jefferson is found guilty and convicted. I hope he has to turn over all his assets.
YOU SHOW SUCH FAIRNESS IN CALLING OUT ALL THE CORRUPT!
OUT
Thinksome:
I consider it a good post that I have made when you comment on it.
I must have hit a nerve.
Thank you.
Jefferson and Obama supporters seem upset
Let's get it On then!!
jimzak on 06/15/08 at 11:22AM
You wrote that I brought up race in another post. I say call out everyone in all ethnic groups if you are going to point out ethnicity. Criminals are everywhere affecting everyone.
Perhaps the nerve of omission of obvious facts in a given subject matter.
OUT
LeeRoyLaRoi
What in the hell are you saying ? I am trying to make sense out of it but very un successful.
I've been around many a black politician, and two things that are written in stone are: Never, ever correct a "wrong" black man in front of a white man, never take a white man's side against a black man, and, they (black folks) let the white man (politicians) screw them all these years, therefore they (black folks) are used to getting ripped off, why change it.
And that's the truth.
When I think of Bill Jefferson, et al, I am reminded what former Governor Earl Long said about senator Dudley LeBlanc: (paraphrase) There's a man you can't buy-- but you can rent him.
Everyone
At some point the area will elect people who get things done. The last was Dutch Morial ie. there are projects with his signature. For you Republicans, what have you done for Louisiana and we know what the former governor did, put Road Home in Washington D.C. instead of Baton Rouge or New Orleans. There is a reason why she did not run again.
Believe it or not race has nothing to do with progress. The area needs resources. What is the platform of the next representative. Unfortunately, there is a seniority system in congress that Louisiana can't take advantage of due to sudden retirements or the disgraceful events of the Jefferson family era. Why did Livingston retire and Vitter may be on his way out.
But, politicians get recycled often or just get caught with their hand in the cookie jar. It happens everywhere. More importantly, because of Mr. Jefferson's problems the problems in the district do not get discussed. I understand the governor's race was issueless. Political races have been won in the area with subissues like race, skin color (light or dark Blacks), family, whether you are "from New Orleans", among other unimportant criterion.
RATHER THAN WHOSE RUNNING WHAT ARE THEIR POSITIONS ON THE ISSUES FACING THE DISTRICT, THE CITY AND STATE, AND THE NATION.
"Posted by Moshulue on 06/15/08 at 12:16PM
I've been around many a black politician, and two things that are written in stone are: Never, ever correct a "wrong" black man in front of a white man, never take a white man's side against a black man, and, they (black folks) let the white man (politicians) screw them all these years, therefore they (black folks) are used to getting ripped off, why change it.
And that's the truth."
Here it is, the year 2008, and we've still got black people who want to have it BOTH ways. On one hand, we've got black people shouting at the top of their lungs saying "Treat us as EQUALS," while out of the other side of the same mouths we're hearing "Give us special treatment because we're victims of the white man." WHICH is it? Are you going to turn right AND turn left at the same time while walking down the street?
The color of Bill Jefferson's skin is NOT the issue, and it's not just about BILL JEFFERSON! His brother Mose, his sister Betty, and his daughter Jamila are ALL mixed up in this!
So what I am getting from Moshulue, is that Bill, Mose, and Betty should all get a PASS from voters, and be ENTITLED to remain free and in office for life just on the color of their skin? Since when is being black or brown a license to steal and cheat?
Tell you what. If black people are serious about their demands to be treated equally, then its time to drop their proprietary "shield" of playing the "victim" and demanding "entitlement" based on the color of their skin.
Why should black people be able to use this as an excuse when no other race can? Stop sucking on the government TIT! Nearly THREE YEARS after Hurricane Katrina, and NOW that they're getting tossed out of them, NOW black people are asking "where am I going to live?" What's wrong with this picture? Why haven't these people been looking for a home for the past THREE YEARS? As clumsy and stupid as FEMA has been, to their credit, they said from the beginning these trailers were NEVER meant to be permanent housing.
And no, most people don't want to hear the weak excuse of blaming the government or the white man.
LeeRoyLaRoi on 06/15/08 at 10:49AM
Yes Obowelma will pardon Jeff and the girlfriends
if they ever be indict.
Maybe Badon Rouge will run to keep the seat.
First bill will be to raise pay.
Modern day Robin Hoods take from the rich and poor give to the rich and keep the poor poor.
In Mishelle's words It is alll Whiteys fault.
Some posters live in dream world there will be
no change but the man at the top. Do you like that??
WTF???? LOL
It comes down to this. Harry Lee told people to stay home because his feeling were hurt my Karen Carter and they did.
Jefferson should register as a Republican. Then he can get on John McCain's ticket as the VP Candidate. Sweet!
Transalation:
Mess up is as mess up do.
We is all mess up and we aint gonna be no better.
The last hope was the Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.
Happy fathers day
Keep in mind that Jim Garrison was reelected after the Clay Shaw/JFK fiasco which made us the laughing stock of the nation 40 years ago. Garrison accused an innocent man of assasinating the president without one shred of evidence.
In Louisiana, anyone can be reelected no matter what crazy bs they pull. Maybe Oliver Stone can make a movie about Jefferson in 20 years saying that the Military Industrial Complex planted the dollars in the freezer because he found proof that the moon landing was a hoax.
"Posted by hereintx on 06/15/08 at 1:00PM"
"So what I am getting from Moshulue"
Your synopsis is completely wrong. And anyone who does not believe it ALWAYS boils down to race is a fool. It's absolutely amazing the number of people who CLAIM they are not racist. Personally, it is my opinion at least 75% of the Nagin "gang" is corrupt and living at the public trough, and if white folks were doing it, I would be saying the same. You mentioned all the Jeffersons involved, Bill, Mose, and Betty, but you forgot to mention "Big Red," Renee Gill-Pratt, I still can't understand why she hasn't been indicted, after all, she's the one who funneled most of the funds to that trio, correct? Suffice it to say, you're wrong, they all should go down, And when it comes down to "race" black/white are my two least favorites, both are very arrogant and extremely corrupt, power and money, that's what both want, and they will screw their moms to get it.
Alan Dershowitz said that Rule Number 1 in criminal law is that 99% of all criminal defendants are, in fact, guilty. And that all defense lawyers acknowledge and agree with Rule No. 1!
Bill should let it go. It's a disgrace to loose, he should retire and prepare to spend the remainder of his life in custody of the U.S. government.
There is ABSOLUTELY NO WAY Big Jeff wins. NO WAY. None. Can’t happen. Won’t happen. Never in a million years. Book it. It’s over. Trust me.
Heard that one of John Alarios son was thinking about running.
"Big Jeff?"
First of all I thought his name was William (or Bill), and secondly,he doesn't look so big now.
Don't drop the soap, Bill.
Louisiana is not the laughing stock of the nation. Noone really cares you cannot get your act together due mainly to the lack of a corporate economy. It has really nothing to do with politics except our elected officials have such a low performance bar and still get reelected ie. just because you are related to someone does not automatically qualify you as a good candidate for elective office just look at the presidency and all these 2nd and 3rd generation politicos locally. The pool of candidates are really questionable...look at those currently in office and check out their record of performance....nothing ventured, nothing gained.
"Posted by xman20002000 on 06/15/08 at 11:38PM
Louisiana is not the laughing stock of the nation. Noone really cares you cannot get your act together due mainly to the lack of a corporate economy. It has really nothing to do with politics except our elected officials have such a low performance bar and still get reelected ie. just because you are related to someone does not automatically qualify you as a good candidate for elective office just look at the presidency and all these 2nd and 3rd generation politicos locally. The pool of candidates are really questionable...look at those currently in office and check out their record of performance....nothing ventured, nothing gained."
On one hand you say that Louisiana is not the laughingstock of the nation, then you turn around and mention things that only reinforce the reality that it IS the laughingstock of the nation.
Pick a category, I really don't care. If La. is not at the bottom in good categories or at the top in the bad ones, we're pretty close.
Education: we lead in dropout rates and illiteracy, and we have among the lowest statewide averages on the LEAP exam.
Poverty: more men, women, and children live at or below the poverty line than any other state.
Corruption: Louisiana is as well known for its corrupt politics as it is for the number of ways it can prepare crawfish.
Crime: New Orleans is STILL one of the deadliest cities in the nation in terms of murder rates.
Government: not only does New Orleans have one of the inept mayor-police chief tag team since Barthelemy-Arnesta Taylor, but we have a governor who's already showing himself to be almost as weak an executive as the one he replaced (come on Bobby, VETO the legislator payraise already!).
Economics: if our high tax rates and hostile attitude towards new businesses doesn't scare potential entrepreneurs, La.'s reputation for corruption will.
STORIES• SHEPHERD PLEADS GUILTY, RESIGNS
• Jefferson trial date may be delayed
• Tax break to boost historic projects
• Parish unveils budget plan for 2009
• 'C-Murder' defense seeks delay
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