Felon ex-pol with wild hair makes ballot in Ohio

CLEVELAND (AP) - Outspoken former Democratic congressman Jim Traficant, who served time in federal prison for corruption, has fought his way back onto the Nov. 2 ballot to again run for a U.S. House seat _ this time as an independent.

The Trumbull County elections board ruled Wednesday that Traficant, noted for his distinctive toupee and 1960s-style pants, had qualified for the ballot in northeast Ohio's 17th district with 2,154 valid petition signatures, 11 more than required.

Director Kelly Pallante said other county elections boards in the district would be notified to place Traficant's name on the ballot. Traficant will face off against a former aide, four-term Democrat Tim Ryan, and Republican Jim Graham.

Traficant represented the Youngstown area for nearly two decades before he was convicted in 2002 of racketeering and bribery. He was known in Congress for his wild hairstyle, bell-bottom pants and one-minute floor speeches punctuated with the "Star Trek" catch phrase: "Beam me up."

http://www.wtop.com/?nid=213&sid=2036241

At least you know ahead of time that you're voting for a criminal who's nutty as a baby ruth.