Thread: Louisiana Voters Oust Indicted Rep. Jefferson

By CAIN BURDEAU Associated Press Writer
NEW ORLEANS December 7, 2008 (AP) The Associated Press
In a year when national Republican fortunes took a turn for the worse, Louisiana delivered the GOP two seats in Congress in elections delayed by Hurricane Gustav.

William Jefferson hugs a supporter after losing to Republican newcomer Anh "Joseph" Cao in the Louisiana congressional race, New Orleans, Saturday Dec. 6, 2008. (AP Photo/Cheryl Gerber)
(AP)Indicted Democratic U.S. Rep. William Jefferson was ousted Saturday from his New Orleans area district, while Republicans narrowly held on to the seat vacated by a retiring incumbent.

The wins followed Republicans' reconquest of another House seat earlier this fall that had been lost to Democrats.

In the 2nd Congressional District, which includes most of New Orleans, Republican attorney Anh "Joseph" Cao won 50 percent of the vote to Jefferson's 47 percent and will become the first Vietnamese-American in Congress. His only previous political experience was an unsuccessful 2007 bid for a seat in the state legislature.

In the 4th Congressional District in western Louisiana, Republican John Fleming squeaked past Democrat Paul Carmouche in the race to replace retiring 10-term Rep. Jim McCrery, R-La. Only a few hundred votes separated the two.

"This is quite a feat," Rigamer said of Cao's victory.

In this Sept. 27, 2007 file photo, Anh "Joseph" Cao, a Vietnamese-American, speaks to a reporter as he campaigns in eastern New Orleans. Cao, a Republican, is trying to become the first Vietnamese-American in Congress in a predominantly black and heavily Democratic district. (AP Photo/Cheryl Gerber, File)
(AP)New Orleans voters had long been loyal to Jefferson, re-electing him in 2006 even after news of the bribery scandal broke. Late-night TV comics made him the butt of jokes after federal agents said they found $90,000 in alleged bribe money hidden in his freezer.

"People are innocent until proven guilty," said Faye Leggins, 54, an educator and Democrat who moved back to the city six months ago and still has fresh memories of Hurricane Katrina. She voted for Jefferson on Saturday. "He has enough seniority, so he can do a lot to redevelop this city."

But Republicans argued the scandal had cost Jefferson his clout in Congress. Election Day brought excitement to the state's usually low-key Vietnamese-American community, said David Nguyen, 45, a store manager and Cao supporter.

"The Vietnamese aren't much into politics," he said.Cao came to the United States as a child after the fall of Saigon in 1975 and went on to earn degrees in philosophy, physics and law.

Both the 2nd and 4th Congressional District races were postponed because of Gustav, which struck in September.

In the 4th District, Republican Fleming, a physician, had 48 percent of the vote to 47 percent for Carmouche, the Democrat. Two minor party candidates split the remaining vote.


Both candidates had help from national heavyweights as Republicans tried to maintain their hold on the district and Democrats looked to add to the seats they gained Nov. 4. President-elect Barack Obama recorded a radio ad for Carmouche, while Vice President Dick Cheney helped Fleming with fundraising.

The national GOP also backed Cao, an immigration lawyer, with a barrage of advertising portraying Jefferson as corrupt.

Prosecutors contend Jefferson used his influence as chairman of the congressional Africa Investment and Trade Caucus to broker deals in Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon and other African nations on behalf of those who bribed him.

The 2007 indictment claims Jefferson received more than $500,000 in bribes and demanded millions more between 2000 and 2005, including the $90,000 found in the freezer of his Washington home. Jefferson denies wrongdoing.

This Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2008 file photo shows Dr. Andrea Green-Jefferson, right, as she applauds her...

This Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2008 file photo shows Dr. Andrea Green-Jefferson, right, as she applauds her husband, U.S. Rep. William Jefferson, D-La., left, after Jefferson beat runoff opponent Helena Moreno for the 2nd Congressional District seat he has held for nine terms in New Orleans. Indicted U.S. Rep. William Jefferson faces a little-known Republican opponent in Louisiana's hurricane-postponed election, but his biggest challenge likely lies ahead. Jefferson is expected to win re-election Saturday despite his indictment in an international bribery scheme. (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt, File)
(AP)No trial date has been set.



Note:Anh "Joseph" Cao is a former Immigration Attorney and supports Comprehensive Invasion reform

The problem is Republican Joseph Cao is pro amnesty and Dream Act.

Well, this tempers my enthusiasm: A commenter notes that Cao is pro-amnesty immigration lawyer. He apparently favors the DREAM Act and other open-borders measures. I’m sure the WSJ editorial board will crow that these are the reasons Cao won. In a black majority district? I don’t think so.

http://michellemalkin.com/2008/12/07/re ... jefferson/

Ya that is a shame huh Bulldogger, I heard it on the news earlier, great another Republican traitor to worry about...BUT

In the 4th Congressional District in western Louisiana, Republican John Fleming squeaked past Democrat Paul Carmouche in the race to replace retiring 10-term Rep. Jim McCrery, R-La. Only a few hundred votes separated the two.

This is great news, we were for Flemming and he won that seat!!

Originally Posted by Bulldogger

The problem is Republican Joseph Cao is pro amnesty and Dream Act.

Well, this tempers my enthusiasm: A commenter notes that Cao is pro-amnesty immigration lawyer. He apparently favors the DREAM Act and other open-borders measures. I’m sure the WSJ editorial board will crow that these are the reasons Cao won. In a black majority district? I don’t think so.

Yes, when you are an immigration lawyer you are a member of the AILA and have to toe the company line.