Thread: Pelosi defends Jefferson appointment at ASU

Pelosi defends Jefferson appointment at ASU stop
The Business Journal of Phoenix - 5:29 PM MST Monday, February 19, 2007
by Mike SunnucksThe Business Journal

U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi defended her appointment of a New Orleans congressman suspected of corruption to a key congressional security panel during a Monday stop in Tempe.

Pelosi has appointed Congressman William Jefferson, D-La., to the U.S. House Homeland Security Committee, sparking criticism from Republicans.


Jefferson is being investigated by federal authorities in a possible bribery case involving a telecommunications deal in Africa. The FBI found $90,000 in cash in Jefferson's freezer in a search of the congressman's home in 2005.

Pelosi -- who was then House Minority leader -- took Jefferson off of the House Ways & Means Committee after that search. Jefferson won reelection in a heavily Democratic district last year and Pelosi on Monday appointed him to the anti-terrorism panel.

The Democratic Speaker said Monday Jefferson's appointment was part of a final round of committee selections. She said Jefferson represents New Orleans and that city and its citizens have some security needs that need to be considered in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

Republicans question Jefferson's appointment to the high-profile panel that deals with anti-terrorism and emergency management efforts when Pelosi and other Democrats campaigned on ethics issues in the 2006 elections.

Democrats won the 2006 congressional elections and the San Francisco liberal became speaker in January.

Pelosi was in the Phoenix area Monday for a reception with other Democrats and town hall style event at ASU with Congressmen Harry Mitchell, Raul Grijalva and Ed Pastor. The event focused on college financial aid but Pelosi also talked about liberal Democratic themes such as "fairer economic growth" and putting college financial aid spending above tax cuts for the wealthy, as well as immigration reforms that include a guest worker program, legal paths for illegals already in the U.S. and allowing illegal immigrant students to attend state universities and get discounted in-state rates.

Pastor said that so-called 'Dream Act' would be part of federal immigration plans favored by Democrats. Last year, Arizona voters approved Proposition 300 which restricts illegal immigrants access to state colleges and county community colleges and prohibits them from receiving public financial aid and discounted in-state tuition rates.

Pelosi also commended President Bush, Mesa Congressman Jeff Flake and Arizona Sen. John McCain (all Republicans) for their support for more moderate immigration reform. She went as far as to "commend" Bush for his immigration positions which match more with the business community and moderates than harder-line conservatives.

Gov. Janet Napolitano did not appear with Pelosi or the three Arizona congressional members at the ASU event. Tucson Democratic Congresswoman Gabby Giffords is currently in Iraq along with GOP Arizona Sen. Jon Kyl.

http://phoenix.bizjournals.com/phoenix/ ... aily9.html

This is the latest phrase for amnesty "moderate immigration reform" formerly known as comprehensive immigration reform.

Dixie

U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi defended her appointment of a New Orleans congressman suspected of corruption to a key congressional security panel during a Monday stop in Tempe.

Pelosi has appointed Congressman William Jefferson, D-La., to the U.S. House Homeland Security Committee, sparking criticism from Republicans.

You've got to be kidding me. Rep. Jefferson (D-LA) was caught with his hand in the cookie jar and is as guilty as sin!!!!

Man, I'm so mad right now - I can hardly see straight! Why isn't this crook in prison?

First, I read about Vermont's crooked governor who knowingly supports his brother-in-law's hiring of criminal aliens. Then the very next thread I read is this. How much can one man take, especially one who has always believed in and preached to his children about the importance of the rule of law.

Dixie wrote:

This is the latest phrase for amnesty "moderate immigration reform" formerly known as comprehensive immigration reform.

Once the public catches on, the criminal alien supporting politicians have to change their catch-phrase. It's all a shell game and they're hoping a majority of us won't find the pea.

Originally Posted by MW

U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi defended her appointment of a New Orleans congressman suspected of corruption to a key congressional security panel during a Monday stop in Tempe.

Pelosi has appointed Congressman William Jefferson, D-La., to the U.S. House Homeland Security Committee, sparking criticism from Republicans.

You've got to be kidding me. Rep. Jefferson (D-LA) was caught with his hand in the cookie jar and is as guilty as sin!!!!

Man, I'm so mad right now - I can hardly see straight! Why isn't this crook in prison?

First, I read about Vermont's crooked governor who knowingly supports his brother-in-law's hiring of criminal aliens. Then the very next thread I read is this. How much can one man take, especially one who has always believed in and preached to his children about the importance of the rule of law.

Pelosi has a thing for corrupt politicians like Jefferson and Murtha. They're far easier for her to control when she can offer them protection from ethics or criminal charges.