America seems like a more just place this morning. I woke up to the news that the voters of Louisiana finally realized that they were represented in Congress by an indicted bribe-taking jerk. Among other evidence, Jefferson was videotaped by the FBI receiving $100,000 worth of $100 bills in a leather briefcase at the Ritz-Carlton hotel in Arlington, Virginia.
I asked William Jefferson to go away ... and the voters of Louisiana 'made it so'.
Jefferson was defeated by Anh 'Joseph' Cao, a little-known Republican lawyer ... the very first Vietnamese-American Congressman ever. Cao is an immigration lawyer and community activist who once pursued the priesthood with the Jesuits.
Hailing from New Orleans’s Versailles — the area of almost 100% Vietnamese, best known to outsiders as an area heavily damaged by Katrina — Cao is said to be affiliated with Boat People S.O.S., a refugee rights advocacy group based in Washington DC.
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illiam Jefferson had been Louisiana’s first Black Congress member since Reconstruction. However, Black folks all over America are seeking quality in our public officials. Once you go Obama ... you NEVER GO BACK! Jefferson cynically counted on a loyal base to return him to Congress for a 10th term.I join with other villagers in wishing Mr. Cao much success as he goes to Washington DC. I don't have much love for Republicans because of their policies ... but, I appreciate the historical significance of breaking another cultural barrier in our national politics.
How did you feel about these election results from Louisiana?
9 comments:
I am with you 100% Villager. I feel a lot better that blacks are belying the myth that we will vote for any black corrupt politician simply because he is black.
Creeps like Jefferson need to be thrown out. Jefferson was only looking out for himself.
Tariq - Amen! As an aside, Anh Cao is a community activist for his peeps. Hard to believe that he will be hardcore conservative Republican ... after all, his district is majority-Black ... so he'll need to do right for the next 2 years in order to have a chance for re-election. I think that a credible competent African American will challenge him in 2010...
I was happy to see this as well. Too many times people turn a blind eye to corruption and vote for someone that are familiar with or have something in common with. Jefferson does not represent our people and should not be in office.
Also, it is hard for me to believe my home state is suddenly has such a diverse government. A pleasant surprise.
Great post Villager, I too congratulate the new congressman. I hope this sends a message to other black caucus members. Work smart, work hard, and work for us, or be gone.
AAPP - Thanx. I admire the way that you've been tracking the Congressional Black Caucus. The next few weeks and months promise to be very interesting for all of us that follow politics in America...
peace, Villager
I wish the folks of New Orleans had done some strategic thought about this two years ago when Karen Carter was running against him.
They would have been able to do a two-fer. Keep the seat in African-American and Dem hands.
But congrats to Mr Cao for knocking off the odious Mr Jefferson.
"However, Black folks all over America are seeking quality in our public officials. Once you go Obama ... you NEVER GO BACK!"
Awesome!!!
Esquire - Be proud of your home state! You have every reason to enjoy the good racial and cultural vibes coming from Louisiana this year. The news hasn't always been so good ... so enjoy the flow while it is this positive!
Monica - Hopefully Ms. Carter and the Dems are thinking hard about what they are going to do in the 2010 elections against the new incumbent...
Levois - I wasn't sure if anyone 'got' that line (smile)...
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