Democrat, Republican, Independent, Green, Reform . . . Party affiliation is irrelevant. If you’re indicted; you gotta go! Jefferson or Delay; doesn’t matter. If you can’t abide by the laws of the land, you sure can’t make them!

We were lied to and still are being lied to about Jefferson. He is stepping down yet admits no wrong doing. We all know he is guilty.

We were lied to by Cunningham.

We were lied to by Clinton.

We were lied to by DeLay

We were lied to by Bush…there are no WMD's in Iraq. 5 years later, they still aren't there.

Let's face the music and throw the bums out of office. Stop letting lobbyists bribe Congress and big money industries dictate our foreign policy.

After reading these blogs, I am appalled that so many people think Jefferson is justified in his corrupt behavior because of his political party affiliation, or because of the current situation in Iraq. This is comparing apples and oranges. I don't care what he looks like, what church he goes to, who his daddy was, or what party he belongs to. If he broke the law, he is unethical and corrupt. Hell is full of other people just like this. I guess it makes them feel better to know there are lots of people on earth making the same sad choices. Where were you when your parents were supposed to be teaching you that right is right and wrong is wrong. And when did we become such a complacent nation that accepts this behavior as normal?

"In doing so I, of course, express no admission of guilt or culpability in that or any other matter"

Demorats are no better than Republicons. Make a difference, Vote Green..

Let's try to keep our attention where it needs to be,

It doesn't matter whether he is Dem or Rep. If he broke the law, he needs to be held to the highest standard and it is our responsibility to ensure this happens.

Are we really surprised that he admits no wrongdoing? Are we really surprised that the Ethics committee can't regulate itself?
Are we really surprised that we are using this opportunity to take potshots at Dems or Reps?

Is he (or people like Duke Cunningham) the best this country can produce to lead?

Right now, we are getting what we wanted. We elected them, these are our representatives. Perhaps, we will all get sick and tired enough of this to actually care about the voting and legislative process someday…but it doesn't seem like today.

It's amazing how many uniformed people there are after 4 years of war in Iraq.
If Bush lied, so did Bill Clinton, John Kerry, Hillary Clinton and the CIA, British, French Russian Intellegence. They all thought Sadam had WMD's. Why don't you people stop repeating the Leftwing lie that only Bush is at fault. The Congress (including the Dems) voted for the war. What a bunch of morons!

Dennis, Conway, Ar
How can you put a used car salesman in with this group? Something of an insult to the used car salesman the way I see it.

Everythind said is true and good…
why isn't anyone asking about the missing $10,000 from the sting op.?
the investigation needs to be more "broad"
and there is a reason it was wrapped in foil and in a freezer.

As a former citizen of New Orleans who has witnessed the recent natural tragedies befalling this wonderful city, I am sickened by such a blatant act on the part of a US Congressman. This only further serves to blacken the tainted image of Louisiana politicians. I hope that Mr. Jefferson will have the dignity to resign. Innocent until proven guilty is a nice concept but pales against honor in such a remarkable instance of corruption.

WOW!!! Everyone hates this Democrate.

For the person who said "It was an embarrassment that he was re-elected and it speaks volumes about the voters and leadership in New Orleans that supported his campaign." I agree, but we must keep in mind that bush was elected for a 2nd term too. The entire world continues to ask what this country was thinking. ME TOO. For the person who said "I have a son serving in Bagdad. my question is when are yall going to bring them home?" The answer is …THEY'RE NOT! bush has more than said so several times. Until a Democrat gets into the office and the bush/cheney operation is shut down, nothing new is going to happen. Honestly, for everyone out there that has lost a loved one or has had severe injuries, I can't believe there has not been a classaction suit filed against bush/cheney, et al.!!! Somebody get Gloria Allred on the phone.

He is a Democrat and therefore has the legal right to claim he is a victim. What ever happened, the Republicans made him do it. I know it sounds silly but it has always worked in the past.

I have had dealings with numerous professional politicians ranging from Representatives, Senators, Congressmen and high ranking officials within the Department of Energy. Almost all are ego driven, self centered persons who feel that they are certainly above the common United States citizen and, more importantly, above the law. On one occasion I carefully explained the state law regarding liquor consumption at public gatherings to a congressman and he shouted “Don’t tell me the laws! I make them!” He and his entourage proceeded to ignore the law and did things as they saw fit.

I believe that Rep. William Jefferson is simply one who was caught. There are hundreds of politicians just like him, breaking laws as they see fit.

This goy needs to go to jail for a long time. He betrayed the public trust for his own enrichment. What a sleaze and the worst part is the Domocrates are calling this a political prosecution and have been defending him! Where's the 'Most Ethical Congress' we were promissed?

You who are without sin, cast the first stone. Think about that why don't cha.

Jefferson just got caught.
Jefferson is no worse than the rest of the Democrats and Republicans in Congress or Senate. They need to vote themselves a new salary increase and they don't pay into Social Security.

Forget about the black/white issue, forget about the republican/democrat issue. The reality is that this black democrat is a 'public servant' – now a disgrace to everyone. I just find it amazing that the people of N.O. re-elected this man. We get what we deserve…

This man is garbage. He's just dirty, corrupt, uncaring, and a grease spot on African American history. My questions are these: What is going on around him that makes him think he can hold on to his job at this point? and How do we make sure he doesn't live out his life on a cushy pension paid for with our tax dollars?

Funny to see the crying Republicans in here. Where was this moral ethos the last six years while Republican leadership soiled the Constitution? Fortunately, this guy had the decency to step down of his own volition, unlike DeLay who had to be forced out.

To equate Jefferson, a corrupt clown from Louisiana in it just for himself with the 'K Street' convicts and resignees and future resignees (Cunningham, Wilkes, Foggo, DeLay, Abramoff, Lewis, the White House Purchasing guy that was Delay's buddy, and the list goes ON…) is to be intentionally blind and/or a Fox viewer. $90K wouldn't cover one round of Delay/Abramoff golf in Scotland, or the marina fees his handlers paid for the 'Duke-stir' yacht Cunningham lived aboard while in Washington. Small potatoes versus a RICO-level criminal conspiracy (read the qualifying crimes for a RICO indictment, maybe you'll understand.) Republicans, putting the 'R' in RICO.

Great! One down, and only 434 left to go.

To Steve in Tampa. How do you connect greed and corruption to the Fight against Terror? You obviously didn't know anyone that perished on 9/11.

"I thought it interesting that when his indictment was announced it took 8 white, justice department officials to do so. Its no wonder JD has such a bad PR image."
Posted By Patric, Dallas, TX

White Justice Department officials? Ah hah! They must be in ca-hoots with the Duke Lacrosse Team, Stone Masons and Illuminati.

From Huey P. Long to the present, Congressman Jefferson is no worse than Louisiana's other politicians. If you think so, look where the Katrina disaster relief money has gone.

THEY ARE CROOKS IN BOTH PARTIES BUT THE REPUBICANS ARE FAR WORST.

If found guilty of simlar charges in China this man would be executed. In his position of trust I can't say that I disagree with the position of the Chinese. If guilty this man should be thrown in the big house for the remainder of his life.

Anyone who wants to make this a partisan issue is a serious partisan. I am a registered Democratic voter, and I want to see Jefferson face the music. It's pretty clear to me that he is a crook — not based on this story but, rather, on following the coverage pretty closely.

I think folks should lay off the partisan garbage and insist that all politicians regardless of party affiliation (or lack thereof) be held accountable for their deeds and failures. Furthermore, elected and/or appointed officials should be expected to be exemplary in their words and deeds, not merely ordinary.

Rep. Duke Cunningham had it coming. So did Rep. Bob Ney. And so does Rep. Jefferson. It ain't about the party, folks. It's about the Rule of Law and that notion that we aspire to be a nation of laws, and not a nation of men/women.

Sentence structure problem. "In doing so I, of course, express…" not as disclosed "In doing so, I of course, express…"

When you have a phrase separated by two commas, the sentence should be read inteligently with and without the phase.

Please improve the proof reading on this site. In the past 15 years more typo and poor sentence construction has been noticed.

Yes we all keep $90,000.00 on ice in our freezer at home. Fess up you crook.

What? he just wanted to keep his $90,000.00 cold and fresh

I am with Steve on this one. Clinton haters: He lied but nobody died.

Afraid the type of greed and corrpution displayed by Cunningham and Jefferson reaches all the way to the top.

Stop trying to play Republican vs Democrat on this issue…there obviously are crooks in both parties.

This is a disgrace. When will the American people wake-up and demand more accountability. It's embarrassing.

Mr. Cunningham needs to be held accountable, regardless of his race or his political affiliation. A criminal is a criminal, regardless of the color of their skin or their political party.

Someone asked how we bring back trust in government and those who "serve" there… answer – elect people who are trustworthy. Fall back to the model of the founders – elect people who don't want to be there as a career. Today we've people in government who have never held any other job! How insane is that?

We need shopkeepers, farmers, teachers and bank tellers in government instead of career politicians. We need someone who has worked for a living and who has established a record of trustworthyness there – not shysters of any party or race or occupation.

Instead, we've career politicians, lawyers and used car salesmen in Congress. And we wonder why we have what we have.

I guess "cleaning up corruption" requires indictments under the Pelosi plan. What about "cold cash" Jeffers?

Move over, Edwards. Guess who's coming to dinner. Ya'll will have alot to talk about.

Well, it's a bout time. This state has had a hard enough time recovering from every natural disaster that could be thrown at it. To have a public official that is supposed to represent us be involved in such corruption is nothing less than a slap in the face of every decent citizen in Louisiana. Of course, re-electing him after FBI agents found "cold" cash in his freezer says alot about the other dubious citizens of our illustrious state. Wake up, Louisiana. We have so much to be proud of – but not this. Put a stop to this embarrassment now. And, a note to Al Sharpton and Jessie Jackson – this is not about race – its about ethics and pride – which side of right are ya'll on?

He says he is innocent by his lawyers and was framed. I guess our lawyers have nothing better to do thatn spend 2 years investigating a man cause they wanted to pick on him. They don't waste time on innocent people who have 16 counts against them do they?

Why is it when a Republican (Rep. Foley) allegedly committed an unethical act, by sending qustionable e-mails – but broke no law – he steps down in promotion of ethical responsibility; but when a Democrat (Rep. Jefferson) allegedly committed an unethical act AND allegedly committed a felony, by accepting bribes with marked money on videotape, all he does is step down from a committee?

"…Most ethical Congress…" Nancy Pelosi – yeah, right. Prove it, Madame Speaker by pressuring the honorable (?) representative from Louisiana to leave the House of Representatives!

He is no different than your George W…..a liar, and a cheat…with one exception….George Bush is also responsible for the death of over 3,000 U.S. servicemen and women and the billions upon billions of wasted money on a war we can't win. Wonder how much he is going to collect from all the goverment supply companies(ie. Haliburton) when he leaves office?!

So Jefferson expresses no admission of guilt or culpability in any of the matters in the indictment. Talk about someone living in the clouds. "If it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck and smells like a duck, IT'S A DUCK. Jefferson is guilty as sin and a liar to boot. He must have learned his truthiness from BUBBA CLINTON "I did not have sex with that woman".

I love the honest, pure as the driven snow democratic congress, don't you? Why did people assume the democrats would be so much more honest and open than the republicans? William Jefferson will be the next duke cunningham, possibly worse.

I thought it interesting that when his indictment was announced it took 8 white, justice department officials to do so. Its no wonder JD has such a bad PR image.

Goes to show you that crime doesn't pay. In this case, it isn't about what political party is represented or what race or ethnic group is being "profiled"…its called GREED. One needs to step up to the plate and take responsibility for their actions and it appears that Mr Jefferson has no honor or integrity. Its ashame, because he was voted into office to do a job…represent the people of his district and state.

This crook needs to made an example of and locked up. I'm sure if they investigate it well enough, he can have the company of some family members too.

"I have supported every ethics and lobbying reform measure…" Well, of course he did. What would it say if he didn't? And can anybody explain what "..to support the letter…" means?

What about freezing US currency? Isn't that kinda like flag burning?

I sure wish the Democrats felt the outrage they pretend when a Republican has even the smallest allegation made against them. What the heck is this man with $90,000.00 in his freezer still doing on Capitol Hill? That he is still in congress stains our entire govermental process.

What a dirt bag

This should be on the front page all week long….

This is sorry. William "The Freezer" Jefferson should be expelled from congress. I hope that he gets the kind of media attention that "Duke" Cunningham got. I hope that this "Most Ethical Congress in History" makes an example out of a Democrat the same way they would if he had been a Republican. Although, if he were a Republican he would have already been forced to resign by now I'm sure.

I am "from" New Orleans and now live in Florida. I can only say that it's about time this man is being held accountable for his actions. He has a long history in New Orleans of getting away with unethical and illegal practices. It was an embarrassment that he was re-elected and it speaks volumes about the voters and leadership in New Orleans that supported his campaign.

How do you bring back or establish trust in the government and those who serve there ?

I have a son serving in Bagdad. my question is when are yall going to bring them home? i believe they need to come home now. my son is the father of a three year old and a new baby that is five days old. The iraq people should be fighting this war themselves. send Bush and congress over there and let them pick up a gun and fight and then i might change my feelings on this war.

I agree with Kevin from Green Island, NY
How will you turn talk into action on issues such as rising energy prices, immigration, health care and taxes? The citizens of America are tired of “talk” we need elected officials who take action that get results that benefit America, not a political agenda. It is time for you to step up to the plate or step out.