CBC to House Dems, "How dare you! We're leaving."
In what is nothing short of a amazing, the Congressional Black Caucus is actually still steering the wagon of defending corrupt "black" Democrat Rep. William Jefferson.
And who is the beastmaster you ask behind this? None other than our very own Mel Watt (NC-12). When told about the continuous pressure by House Democrats to have Jefferson step down in order to have a transparent and honest federal government he responds:
It's about to blow up in their face...
Oh boy. People of the 12th call out your man Mel and tell him this is not about race. It is about one helluva corrupt Congressman who took almost $500,000. And he happens to be black. Whoop de doo.
Yes it is innocent until proven guilty. But tell that to Tom DeLay. Now don't get me wrong I'm beyond elated to see him go. However Democrats have to enforce the rules we want seen applied to Republicans, and that means Jefferson's gotta go. As the people of real morals and values, we cannot look hypocritical on this issue.
The article relys that the House Dems will have a formal vote next week, after Watt delays it for 5 days, on whether or not Jefferson has to step down. Perhaps Jefferson will not let it come to that and take the high grounds.
The key here is this:
Brett Pfeffer, Jefferson's former aide, was sentenced to eight years for conspiring to commit bribery and aiding and abetting the bribery of a public official.
Vernon Jackson,pleaded guilty to paying more than $400,000 in bribes to Jefferson over the course of his tenure as CEO of iGate Inc.
This is NOT about race. This is about what's right versus what's wrong.
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I wish I could read the whole statement
But it isn't up yet at congressionalblackcaucus.net -- anyone know any alternative links?
There are a couple of issues here, one being Mr. Jefferson's leadership role. If there has been a consistently applied rule that Dem leaders don't lose their committee jobs until indictment, then one of two things is true: either the rule was the wrong rule in the past, or the departure from the rule for Jefferson is wrong now. I'd want to know more about that rule and past application before taking a side on that, because either position is grave.
The other issue is his continued occupation of a congressional seat. But I don't think anyone is asking him to leave the body, right?
Mel is usually very low key
He didn't jump to defend Cynthia McKinney, so it puzzles me that he would be aggressive now. I need to see the quote in context. I actually have a call in to his press person anyway. I'm trying to line up an interview for BlueNC.
Jefferson is a crook, no doubt.
But the pressure to push him out is racism, pure and simple. DeLay didn't step down until he was indicted. I think Lance is reading this right. The rule needs to be applied evenly, no matter how much the rule sucks.
What I wish is that crooks like Jefferson and DeLay (and Jim Black) would step down of their own free will. Fat chance.
I disagree, Anglico
I don't think it has anything to do with the color of his skin. I think it has to do with the fact that the investigation is very far along and what has been made public is very damning. Two people have already admitted guilt. Jefferson has many more strikes against him. The investigation into Jefferson has been going on for over a year. Mollohan just came under scrutiny in March of this year. I am not justifying anything that Mollohan did, because it sure does look fishy to the untrained eye. The FBI has barely started their investigation of him and nobody has implicated him in a plea agreement.
I knew we'd part ways on this one.
And my heart is right with you.
But don't you find it interesting that the CBC has a different take? When it comes to matters of racial fairness, I feel obliged to trust their instincts over mine.