Cong. Black Caucus ready to go to the mattresses over Jefferson

[quaoar]

I fail to see why the CBC is so adamant about protect a sleaze like Jefferson.

http://www.tpmmuckraker.com/archives/000850.php

Yesterday afternoon, the Congressional Black Caucus voted -- for the second time in three weeks -- to oppose the "involuntary removal" of Jefferson from the Ways and Means Committee.

And later in the afternoon, the Democratic Steering and Policy Committee met with Jefferson. That committee has the power to forcibly remove him from his seat. Jefferson reiterated his refusal to step down.

According to Roll Call, the members agreed Tuesday night "that the process of unseating Jefferson from Ways and Means should begin, possibly as early as Thursday." It's not clear that Jefferson's appearance did anything to change their minds.

If the Steering Committee votes to oust Jefferson, "CBC sources have insisted the group will loudly close ranks behind Jefferson if Democrats try to take steps against him before an indictment."

[EST]

1. Technically, he does not have to do anything, without an

indictment or some action by the ethics committee. However, his stubbornness, typical of a politician, I suppose, does a huge amount of damage, painting him and all democrats as typical washington crooks. Having been beaten down, from a singularly beaten down culture and rising to high office probably adds to his fierce stubbornness, especially in the face of his discovered guilt. The entrenchment of the CBC, while unfortunate and, in my opinion, sadly short sighted, is understandable.

[Eugene]

2. Unity. "He would do it for us."

I'm not a big fan of unity-under-all-circumstances politics either,
but it is a fact of life. Congressman Jefferson promises an
"honorable explanation" for all this. I hope his fellow CBC
members ask him to share it before they close ranks around him.

[Freddie Stubbs]

5. Did the CBC stand by Cynthis McKinney?

[Cocoa]

3. they'll lose, and they probably know it

I don't see Pelosi caving to the CBC.

[Vinca]

4. I usually support the CBC, but they're wrong in this instance.

If Democrats want to parrot "culture of corruption," they can't condone it. The evidence we've heard about Jefferson sounds overwhelming and it doesn't seem wise to risk our hopes in November protecting this person.

[Stinky The Clown]

6. I see this as wrong headed

I am almost always in line with the CBC, but not in this case.

The legal fact is very simple. Jefferson, like any other citizen, is innocent untuil proved guilty.

The political reality, however, is very different. The perception, based on what's been made public thus far, is that he's dirty. In politics, perception trumps legality and is, in fact, reality.

As the Dems are working to paint a picture of a 'culture of corruption', it is pretty damned hard to justify this closing of ranks on Jefferson.

[quaoar]

7. The only valid point the CBC has

is that Jefferson has not been charged yet. Of course, neither has Bob Ney and he stepped down from his committee chairmanship.

In this case, there is video of Jefferson accepting a cash bribe. And while you are innocent until proven guilty, that's in a court of law, not the court of politics. In the court of politics Jefferson is guilty as hell.