Representative William Jefferson, Louisiana Democrat, wasindicted on 16 counts involving corruption, including conspiracy to solicit bribes by a public official, scheme to defraud citizens of honest services by wire fraud, money laundering, obstruction and a pattern of racketeering activity. Jefferson also solicited bribes from 11 companies for himself and his family, as well as bribing a Nigerian government official. The scheme allegedly covered five years, from August 2000 to August 2005, and included a front company that he set up to hide the money.
When F.B.I. agents raided the Capitol Hill offices of the congressman, and in a separate raid at his home uncovered $90,000 in cash stashed inside containers in his freezer, the Democrats were all up in arms. How dare the FBI investigate one of their colleagues! Now, they are wondering how this indictment will hurt their cause against the Conservative Right.
The dude was caught red-handed taking bribes, and they brush it aside, while they tarred and feathered Tom DeLay and others without even having any evidence.
The Democrats are actually worried, now, because they have suddenly realized that the voters noticed them "trying to protect their own" and they are concerned that this scandal will lead to Democrats losing the Black Vote.
This hubbub regarding Jefferson is bad news for the Democrats, and they know it, but they don't want to say it too loud because the voters might notice. The mainstream media is not sure how to handle this situation. They have to report it, but they can't play it up too much because one of their own is in the center of it. Had this been a Republican, or a Conservative Independent, the mainstream media would have had their executioner's ax out, but they are stepping lightly regarding Jefferson.
Why?
Because something like this may split the Democrats, and for their battle of "us vs. them" this really hurts. Pelosi needs all of her liberal soldiers for the battle against Bush and those darn "war mongers."
And this especially hurts the Democrats because after Hurricane Katrina they painted a picture of how the Republicans are to blame for everything associated with Katrina and the devastation in New Orleans (funny how Mississippi was hit just as hard, but her Republican leadership didn't whine and cry, but instead led the people to rebuild the Mississippi Coast), and how the Democratic leadership was innocent, etc. Then here comes along Jefferson, Congressman from Louisiana, crooked as the letter "Z".
As far as the mainstream media will be concerned, and you watch, they will not report any dissatisfaction against the Democratic Party over this - that way the impression is that Democrats don't do anything wrong (even when they do) but Republicans do.
And in the end, the word "conspiracy" will begin to appear. The Left will paint this as a conspiracy.
If it is even imagined a Republican has done something wrong, he's guilty before proven innocent. If a Democrat is caught red handed, he's the victim of a conspiracy.
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