Word: jefferson
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...Either way, Jefferson's fate has become something bigger than the man himself. He rose from a dirt-poor rural childhood to attend Harvard law school and became, in 1990, the first African-American elected to Congress from Louisiana since Reconstruction; his equally spectacular fall, if it comes, would be a bitter disappointment to many constituents. Some of them have already organized in his defense; a group calling itself the Justice for Jefferson Committee issued a statement less than a week after the indictment accusing the federal government of using "vast financial resources to manipulate the media" and calling...
...Jefferson's legal troubles - and possible ouster from Congress - have opened a window for another controversial would-be power broker. Despite Nagin's sagging popularity, the colorful New Orleans mayor came back from the brink of political extinction by solidly winning a second term last November. He's something of a political chameleon, easygoing and businesslike when he needs to impress his conservative constituents and, since Hurricane Katrina, capable of a fiery, defiant oratory that has endeared him to a lot of African-Americans who are still struggling to get their lives back together - and who blame much of their...
...Then there's the Second District congressional seat now held, however tenuously, by Jefferson. Here, Nagin's chances of victory are far better, should a conviction or resignation leave the seat open in 2008. But Nagin would likely face some serious competition, from candidates who ran against Jefferson last time around or from other New Orleans area lawmakers sensing a rare opportunity to grab an open seat - one whom could be Jalila Jefferson, one of the congressman's five daughters and a member of the state legislature...
...Jefferson's supporters, her election would be a measure of vindication for what many believe is a frame-up. His indictment includes 16 counts alleging fraud, racketeering, money laundering, soliciting bribes and violating the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, charges that could land him a prison term of more than 200 years. All along, "Dollar Bill" - a nickname he was tagged with early in his political career - has maintained his innocence. At his arraignment, where he entered a not guilty plea, he offered a hint to what could be a central part his defense - that the charges are politically motivated...
...sure the pressure is on for him to resign, but I don't think you'll see it," says political analyst Bernie Pinsonat. "That's just not his nature." There's the chance that Jefferson will be acquitted at a trial. "And if he isn't convicted, he will be reelected," Pinsonat says...