Traficant Leaves Democratic Party, Mulls Run As An Independent

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio — A former Ohio congressman who served seven years in prison for corruption says he's leaving the Democratic Party and considering a run for office as an independent.

James Traficant (TRAF'-eh-kehnt) made the announcement Saturday on his talk show on WTAM-AM in Cleveland. He did not specify which seat he was eyeing for a run.

Traficant was elected to nine terms as a Democrat from Youngstown before serving time for racketeering, bribery, obstruction of justice and tax evasion. He was released in September.

He called it a "painful decision" to leave the Democratic Party but says he feels the leadership of the party is headed in the wrong direction. He says he's not referring to President Barack Obama, but to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.

Comments

[edwoodjr]

03:22 PM on 02/23/2010

Run James, run. Quite a character and criminals are all over DC these days anyway!!!!!

[dimplesmile7]

03:00 PM on 02/23/2010

I don't believe any dem will lose sleep because that felon wig wearing Traffcant is leaving. Don't let that wig fly off on your way out.

[JScott]

02:27 PM on 02/23/2010

Notice they cropped the pic so we don't see his hairpiece and the comments that follow.

[BikeFreak]

02:19 PM on 02/23/2010

When I was asking everyone to consider supporting 3rd party candidates, I didn't mean HIM!!!!!

[blueballs]

02:04 PM on 02/23/2010

Anytime a felon leaves the party, I count that as a win

[Januarycarol]

12:02 PM on 02/23/2010

Whew. Finally some good news for the Dems.

[Graywolf48]

01:12 PM on 02/23/2010

I agree. I hope he takes his hair with him.

[winningticket]

11:47 AM on 02/23/2010

I also wish he would leave his Kim Jong Il pompadour in the past as well.

[mrspiffy]

11:29 AM on 02/23/2010

Maybe he'll resurrect the Whigs..

http://yieldpig.blogspot.com/

[Silent Edge]

11:20 AM on 02/23/2010

He's running on the Toupees for Traficant platform.

[sposton]

10:56 AM on 02/23/2010

He might do better if gets rid off his rug, shaves and polishes his head, grows a mustache and a goatee. It just might give him enough gravitas to overcome his negatives. ;-)

[Professorofdesire]

10:54 AM on 02/23/2010

He may have left the party, but his toupee, which has a mind of its own, stayed.

[Dissident Dexter]

10:49 AM on 02/23/2010

Good riddance. Go, go and be as independent as that thing on your head.

[Grunty1]

09:58 AM on 02/23/2010

He goes to jail for years for corruption and now wants back in. It would be a huge and disgusting sell even with the backing of a major party, but without one? How in the world does this egomaniac think he has a shot?

[ena]

09:37 AM on 02/23/2010

Is he running after his toupee? That thing is scary man.

[AbeMartin]

09:26 AM on 02/23/2010

The only office Traficant should campaign for is as Trusty at his Alma Mater at the Federal Prison at Allenwood. There is absolutely no explanation for this felon. He is a convicted crook. He was a corrupt and harmful Congressperson. Perhaps he played football too many times without a helmet. Crawl back into your rathole, you rat.