Somebody from the Democratic caucus either in leadership (Pelosi, Hoyer) or the CBC should call for his resignation. Jefferson is the ONLY Democrat under any real cloud and it would do the party and nation good to see him gone. We don't need joke Reps. like Jim Trafficant making people hate Congress. Important work never gets done (healthcare, Katrina rebuilding) because voters think everyone is the same shallow corrupt shill.

Forget the BS about the staffing of Ethics Committee and get back in and get fighting. Acknowledge it's imperfect but be bigger than the crooks in the GOP. Because if the Jefferson prosecution comes down in say, September '06, from a cough apolitical Justice department it will destroy the entire reform message. Seeing as the party leadership is still tepid on Iraq and NSA spying - reform has to be done openly and completely. You have to break some eggs to make an omelet - one egg is in LA-2.

IOKIYAD cannot ever be part of real reform.

That should be the difference between us and them.  The Republicans protect their criminals.  The Democrats drum them out ASAP.  If we are the reform party, we can't be afraid to take action against our own when necessary.  If Jefferson doesn't go quietly, he must be forced out.

Jefferson has to be asked to resign. It's that simple.

I've diarised before about Pelosi's propensity to talk tough on corruption but ensure the House ethics committee stays unemployed.

Supposedly, the thinking is that activating the ethics committee will trigger GOP complaints against Dems, and muddy public perceptions derived from DOJ action solely against GOP folks.

(I assume that the dispute about staffing is part of her plan to keep the committee inactive.)

The irony is that, if Jefferson's argument on the US Code provisions - that he's home free because the cash he got was unconnected with anything he did, or promised to do, qua Representative - holds up in court, an ethics complaint may be the only way he can be arraigned for the farrago.

Would Pelosi be brave enough to see a complaint initiated against him by a Dem Rep in an election year? (Always noting the Rule 15(h) limitation I mentioned in my earlier piece.) Her current strategy would suggest not.

Agreed. Jefferson must either go, or be sent. His reek must have completely dissipated by the time Labor Day rolls around and the sheeple begin to sniff the political air.

I'd say file a complaint against Jefferson as well as several other republicans then you can spin it as Dems willing to follow corruption wherever it leads and being all bi-partisan about it.

and one of our own is easier to get our hands on.  

Cut him down.
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