Pelosi asks congressman in bribery probe to resign post

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) has formally asked Rep. William Jefferson (D-LA) to resign from the powerful Ways and Means Committee.

Jefferson wrote Pelosi quickly in reply, refusing to surrender his seat. Both letters, acquired by RAW STORY, follow.

"None of the matters reported to be under scrutiny involve issues under jurisdiction of the Ways and Means committee," the Lousiana Democrat wrote. "Therefore, such a request would be even more perplexing and unreasonable. If I agreed, it would unfairly punish the people of the 2nd district and I will not stand for that."

Pelosi's office did not immediately respond to questions asking whether she will call on Jefferson to resign from Congress.

Letters at link: http://www.rawstory.com/news/2006/Pelosi_asks_congressman_snared_in_bribery_0524.html

If Democrats REALLY want to capture the high-ground and demonstrate that they are fundamentally different from corrupt Repukes, then this Jefferson affair presents the opportunity for the Dems to unite and KICK HIS ASS OUT. This would show that, while there are some Dems with ethics issues, the Democratic Party will not tolerate the same bullshit the Repukes have looked the other way about for decades.

J

The word is, and in this case, I see no signs to disbelieve the word that's out there in the slightest given Pelosi's lack of concrete action, that the Congressional Black Caucus is protecting Jefferson and warning the leadership (i.e. Pelosi) to lay off if it knows what's good for it. I imagine they're saying that this is a good man being persecuted by the executive branch in an unconstitutional way and the behavior of the Bush administration, not Rep. Jefferson, is the real outrage. I say I imagine that because that's what people here on DU are saying.

About time.

As a matter of fact, Republicans are dragged kicking and screaming from their cozy offices well after they have been indicted with corruption. Tom Delay, Cunningham come to mind.

Democrats are different. Good move.

I'm glad to see the change.

Peace.

you didn't see the FBI raiding DeLay's office. I'm still mad at how the Repukes make things political as usual.

...or waiting until they are indicted before even considering stepping down?

What Republicans are you talking about anyway?

why is the FBI raiding his home and office, when did they do that to Delay? Also, why is the speaker of the house on this guys defense. I am just confused by all of this, haven't gotten the real story from anything. Wish they would spend time analyzing what is going on. I think he should resign though even if he did nothing wrong. He might be innocent or guilty but when the FBI is raiding your life, there is a problem there :). Now after my "Captain obvious" moment of the day, i am going to see if i can get more info.

Let me see the video. Was this a 'set up' sting where no one really sees or hears Jefferson accept cash?

Anyone could plant $90,000 in someone's freezer. Bush may be helping out the Republican PR.

Pelosi choosing to permit this abuse is unforgivable.

I won't believe it unless there is a video tape with him holding 2 state issued picture ID's with a cop present and his mom.

I am not defending DeLay, but it seems the FBI has evidence of the Jefferson bribery on video and audio tape. It doesn't look good.

why raid the office in the first place? What more evidence did they need?

:headbang:
rocknation

WASHINGTON - Democrats sought to get embattled Rep. William Jefferson to resign his seat on the House's most prestigious committee.

...snip...

The Louisiana Democrat was defiant.

"With respect, I decline to do so," he wrote back to Pelosi."I will not give up a committee assignment that is so vital to New Orleans at this crucial time for any uncertain, long-term political strategy."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060524/ap_on_go_co/raid_on_congress_20

So sayeth Rep. William Jefferson in that AP article. ...Aiyee...

should insist upon and demand his immediate resignation. If the tape shows that, in any way, that this could be a setup, let him fight the charges in court.

It would help a lot, though, if Jefferson would actually STATE that he was innocent, CLAIM he was set up, or EXPLAIN what the money was doing in his freezer.

:headbang:
rocknation

the problem here, in new orleans, is who to put in the seat. this is my home and we are called idiots all the time for electing these people. all louisiana democrats are the black sheep in the party. Governor Edwin Edwards...IN JAIL, Bill Jefferson's brother-in-law, federal judge Alan Green...put IN JAIL 6 months ago for corruption and bribery, Mayor Marc Morial...under investigation, and his second in charge plead guilty implicating him and his staff TODAY, the un honorable Bill Jefferson, his wife, his daughter...a Louisiana State Rep., and his other four daughters ALL under investigation. Lest we forget Moon Landrieu, proud father of Senator Mary Landrieu and Lt. Governor Mitch Landrieu, who ALL New Orleanians blame for triggering the downfall of this great city and its corruption. The only potential candidates as of now for LA 2nd District is Joe Lavigne, a reform candidate but a republican who has officially entered the race, and ONLY talk of Karin Carter, a Democratic 'career politician' and crony of the Mayor Marc Morial from his days. Why cant we put up a REFORMED candidate against Joe Lavigne?

:hi: :party:
We desperately need your input as to what's REALLY going on down there. Of course we shouldn't abandon the seat until a suitable Democrat can replace Jefferson. As a Jersey girl, no one should know that better than me!

When NJ governor James McGreevey was accused of gay sexual harassment, DLC Dems and Repubs alike demanded that he immediately step down. But McGreevey realized that the sooner he resigned, the easier it would be for the Repubs to take the governor's seat. He insisted that his relationship with the plaintiff was consensual, and refused to step until after it was too late to have a special election, which saved the state moeny put his deputy governor in charge. Those moves turned out to be strokes of genius.

The results? Three men came forward and said that the plaintiff had had sexual relationships with them. The plaintiff abruptly left the country without officially filing charges. And Democrat Jon Corzine took over as NJ governor by describing his opponent as "Bush's choice--is he yours?"

:headbang:
rocknation

and get him/her on our ticket.

And welcome
:toast: