Has James Traficant lost his mind???

papercut · December 6, 2000, 12:13 AM

Did anyone here see tonight's (Tuesday night) O'Reilly Factor on FoxNews Channel? I think James Traficant, Democrat congressman from Ohio, has lost his mind.

I'm going to paraphrase a few things he said.

He used to be for a direct popular vote for President, but not any more. He thinks the Clinton administration has naturalized too many immigrants too quickly.

He thinks George Bush won the election and Algore should shut up and go home.

He said that the Republicans have done some excellent things for the country (listed several, including welfare reform) and that they will probably do many good things in the next few years. Added that it is time to look at the tax code.

I was speechless.

TheBluesMan · December 6, 2000, 12:32 AM

Jim Traficant is a one-of-a-kind.

He's a democRAT representative from Youngstown, Ohio; former rust-belt country. Still a blue-collar town through and through. They just don't elect a whole lot of Republicans there.

He used to be sheriff of Y'town and got into some trouble a while back. Defended himself in court and was acquitted. Ran for congress and won. Been there ever since.

He's rated a C- by the GOA; rated much better by the NRA. All in all, we have worse enemys in Washington than him.

Mike in VA · December 6, 2000, 12:41 AM

there's an intersting phenomena where folks start out 'liberal' and over time, migrate towards conservatism, but it hardly ever happens the other way around? It kind of plays on the old truism that says, "If you aren't a liberal when you're young, you don't have a heart. If you aren't a conservative when you're older, you haven't got a brain." Maybe one becomes a conservative when one realizes one has something to conserve.

I dunno. Too damn many labels, often misapplied, and I'm still trying to find my own heart. So, is it mental illenss or epiphany - do you think Trafficant will change sides?
M2

dvc · December 6, 2000, 01:41 AM

This is no suprise. Traficant has seen alot of democrat corruption over the last 8 years and is starting to abandon his party.

Ragin Cajun · December 6, 2000, 08:42 AM

Traficant is a demonc*aps worst nightmare. I have heard several of his "talks" on the floor of the U.S. House and he is in effect a republican in wolf's clothes. He gives them heck. We could use more like him.

buzz_knox · December 6, 2000, 10:02 AM

Traficant also has a grudge against the current administration for investigating him for alleged corruption charges. He once threatened to release a video he had of an orgy involving Janet Reno. Thank the Lord he didn't carry out his threat!

Libertarian · December 6, 2000, 10:15 AM

Papercut, I'd say it was the exact opposite. Trafficant seems to have found it.

Keiller TN · December 6, 2000, 10:24 AM

I'm not an expert on Al Gore, but it seems that he is an exception to your theory. Also, it seems that some of our older generation folks have broken ranks and gone to the leftist side. I know one of my relatives voted for Clinton. This relative use to be very conservative. It did not seem to bother him that Clinton is a socialist.

mcneill · December 6, 2000, 11:09 AM

Traficant has been my favorite democrat for a long time. I suppose he remains in the democrat party for the same reason Ron Paul switched from Libertarian to Republican - it was the only way he could get elected.

The big question about Traficant is who will he support for Speaker of the House. He indicated last spring (?) that even tho he was staying in the democrat party he would support Hastert for Speaker.

Hutch · December 6, 2000, 01:03 PM

Traficant is a real loose cannon. I remember the night he broke the story about his Reno tape. Folks, I'm just not sure he is completely stable. I admire his willingness to buck his party, and his reluctance to accept the drivel the dem's were spewing during the Monica mess ("They don't call him Slick for nuthin'!"). I think should be treated as radioactive, at least as far as Reps are concerned. They can't afford to cozy up to someone who sounds like he authored "The Clinton Chronicles" tape. Too high a price to pay

papercut · December 6, 2000, 10:46 PM

Libertarian, I stand corrected. You are so right!

Contender · December 8, 2000, 02:03 AM

BEAM ME UP!!!!

OK Jim

Wallew · December 8, 2000, 02:30 PM

In some respects I wish Traficant WOULD release the Reno video tape. Not that I would watch it necessarily. Kind of like watching a car wreck. Not something you would really sit down and watch, but if you were at the right place at the right time..... well, sometimes its hard NOT to watch, if you know what I mean. Not that watching JR writheing on the floor with a bunch of other aged lesbos does anything for me. But being able to say "I saw it with my own eyes" would definately add to my repretoire of facts that I 'know' are true, because I was there (so to speak). Besides, what kind of a moron goes to an orgy that's being video taped? I know, I know, apparently JR does. Was this when she was younger and (shudder) better looking (is that possible - JR being 'better looking? - Better looking than what?)???

December 6, 2000, 12:13 AM	#1
papercut Senior Member Join Date: March 11, 2000 Location: Cobb County, Georgia, USA, near the Big Chicken Posts: 922	Did anyone here see tonight's (Tuesday night) O'Reilly Factor on FoxNews Channel? I think James Traficant, Democrat congressman from Ohio, has lost his mind. I'm going to paraphrase a few things he said. He used to be for a direct popular vote for President, but not any more. He thinks the Clinton administration has naturalized too many immigrants too quickly. He thinks George Bush won the election and Algore should shut up and go home. He said that the Republicans have done some excellent things for the country (listed several, including welfare reform) and that they will probably do many good things in the next few years. Added that it is time to look at the tax code. I was speechless. __________________ Sins can be forgiven, ills can be cured, but stupidity is forever.

December 6, 2000, 12:41 AM	#3
Mike in VA Senior Member Join Date: October 17, 1998 Location: Santa FE, NM Posts: 2,164	Didja ever notice . . . there's an intersting phenomena where folks start out 'liberal' and over time, migrate towards conservatism, but it hardly ever happens the other way around? It kind of plays on the old truism that says, "If you aren't a liberal when you're young, you don't have a heart. If you aren't a conservative when you're older, you haven't got a brain." Maybe one becomes a conservative when one realizes one has something to conserve. I dunno. Too damn many labels, often misapplied, and I'm still trying to find my own heart. So, is it mental illenss or epiphany - do you think Trafficant will change sides? M2

December 6, 2000, 10:24 AM	#8
Keiller TN Senior Member Join Date: January 18, 2000 Posts: 483	Mike in VA I'm not an expert on Al Gore, but it seems that he is an exception to your theory. Also, it seems that some of our older generation folks have broken ranks and gone to the leftist side. I know one of my relatives voted for Clinton. This relative use to be very conservative. It did not seem to bother him that Clinton is a socialist.

December 6, 2000, 11:09 AM	#9
mcneill Senior Member Join Date: November 1, 2000 Location: Texas Hill Country Posts: 287	Traficant has been my favorite democrat for a long time. I suppose he remains in the democrat party for the same reason Ron Paul switched from Libertarian to Republican - it was the only way he could get elected. The big question about Traficant is who will he support for Speaker of the House. He indicated last spring (?) that even tho he was staying in the democrat party he would support Hastert for Speaker. __________________ NRA Patron; TSRA Life; NMLRA; JPFO; SAS Associate "His name was Jeremiah Johnson, and he wanted to be a mountain man. ... He was looking for a Hawken gun, .50 caliber or better. He settled for a .30, but d*** it was a genuine Hawken. You couldn't go no better."

December 6, 2000, 01:03 PM	#10
Hutch Senior Member Join Date: February 12, 2000 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 1,124	God save me from my #@%^ allies Traficant is a real loose cannon. I remember the night he broke the story about his Reno tape. Folks, I'm just not sure he is completely stable. I admire his willingness to buck his party, and his reluctance to accept the drivel the dem's were spewing during the Monica mess ("They don't call him Slick for nuthin'!"). I think should be treated as radioactive, at least as far as Reps are concerned. They can't afford to cozy up to someone who sounds like he authored "The Clinton Chronicles" tape. Too high a price to pay

December 6, 2000, 12:32 AM	#2
TheBluesMan Moderator Emeritus Join Date: June 15, 1999 Location: Ohio Posts: 7,558	Jim Traficant is a one-of-a-kind. He's a democRAT representative from Youngstown, Ohio; former rust-belt country. Still a blue-collar town through and through. They just don't elect a whole lot of Republicans there. He used to be sheriff of Y'town and got into some trouble a while back. Defended himself in court and was acquitted. Ran for congress and won. Been there ever since. He's rated a C- by the GOA; rated much better by the NRA. All in all, we have worse enemys in Washington than him.

December 6, 2000, 01:41 AM	#4
dvc Senior Member Join Date: December 2, 1999 Posts: 382	This is no suprise. Traficant has seen alot of democrat corruption over the last 8 years and is starting to abandon his party.

December 6, 2000, 08:42 AM	#5
Ragin Cajun Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2000 Posts: 265	Traficant is a demonc*aps worst nightmare. I have heard several of his "talks" on the floor of the U.S. House and he is in effect a republican in wolf's clothes. He gives them heck. We could use more like him.

December 6, 2000, 10:02 AM	#6
buzz_knox Senior Member Join Date: December 2, 1999 Location: Knoxville, in the Free State of Tennesse Posts: 4,191	Traficant also has a grudge against the current administration for investigating him for alleged corruption charges. He once threatened to release a video he had of an orgy involving Janet Reno. Thank the Lord he didn't carry out his threat!

December 6, 2000, 10:15 AM	#7
Libertarian Senior Member Join Date: October 27, 1999 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 2,117	Papercut, I'd say it was the exact opposite. Trafficant seems to have found it.

December 6, 2000, 10:46 PM	#11
papercut Senior Member Join Date: March 11, 2000 Location: Cobb County, Georgia, USA, near the Big Chicken Posts: 922	Libertarian, I stand corrected. You are so right! __________________ Sins can be forgiven, ills can be cured, but stupidity is forever.

December 8, 2000, 02:03 AM	#12
Contender Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 1998 Location: NY Posts: 680	BEAM ME UP!!!! OK Jim

December 8, 2000, 02:30 PM	#13
Wallew Junior member Join Date: October 3, 1999 Posts: 910	In some respects I wish Traficant WOULD release the Reno video tape. Not that I would watch it necessarily. Kind of like watching a car wreck. Not something you would really sit down and watch, but if you were at the right place at the right time..... well, sometimes its hard NOT to watch, if you know what I mean. Not that watching JR writheing on the floor with a bunch of other aged lesbos does anything for me. But being able to say "I saw it with my own eyes" would definately add to my repretoire of facts that I 'know' are true, because I was there (so to speak). Besides, what kind of a moron goes to an orgy that's being video taped? I know, I know, apparently JR does. Was this when she was younger and (shudder) better looking (is that possible - JR being 'better looking? - Better looking than what?)???