CNN

Let us be a forgiving nation-he has served his term and need forgiveness from the public.

So, why didn't CNN ask the County Republican Chairman WHY he would vote for Trafficant. Yes, pols walk a fine line between legal and illegal every day. If you weren't there (and 99,9% of you weren't), then you have no idea what happened. I'm not saying he's innocent. But look how many innocents get convicted...especially in Texas. So, don't judge others, lest you be judged.

Was his hair like that before prison?

Help Wanted – Democrat who isn't a lying, fraud of a coward, must pay taxes and not have a record – Apply to Obama administraion immediately as a vacancy just opened up.

This spot would NEVER get filled, I can hear the sheep already, he did so much for the people, it's Bush's fault, it was the right-wing conspiracy, he was railroaded, taken out of context, again it was BUSH'S FAULT..............

I am a Conservative Republican and I love Congressman James Trafficant. I feel he was wrongfully tried and convicted on phony accusations and charges by the New World Order Crimminalarchy and their operatives! I accuse the Bush Admin. of this crime! I want justice for this Ameircan patriot and hero! Lets put W in jail where he belongs!

Let's get a breakdown of what we know so far:
1. He does not like America (his own words)
2. He thinks his plight was bad enough to quote Mandela.... that is scary
3. He is having people openly state they would get behind him today if he ran for office again....??????

Nice hair.

'What"s that on his head? It"s a wig!' (with apologies to the B-52's)

Traficant is no different than Hatch, Lieberman, McConnell, anybody else you want to mention in our elective assemblies - oh wait, except that he's working class and so doesn't get a "Get out of Jail Free" card like the silver-spoon set. He is great political theater though.

How shameful! Our society has eroded to the point we champion convicted criminals that were entrusted with public office. Oh well, we have euthanasia advocates and public sterilization advocates in the Whitehouse. What's new.

Since losing their Teddy, I'm glad the democrats have another one of their heroes and role-models back.

My goodness, a democrat who acts like a republican!

Since they lost Teddy, I'm glad the democrats have another one of their heroes and role-models back. Obama needs all the help he can get.

Good to have him back. He added color to the Congress.

So get him out of prison send him to congress? What an idiot. And we are surprised that congress is so horrible. WAKE UP!!!

Using a quote from Mandela to compare the two of them? Disgusting. He's an ex-con who did time in federal prison...nothing like Mandela, falsely imprisoned for decades in South African jails.

Hurry for mindlessly corrupt Democrats!!

Very interesting Guy. I love his wig.

I'm completely embarrassed for this man, since he obviously hasn't the good sense to be embarrassed for himself.

Dems love a crooked politician...

Maybe there is someone else in Ohio who would be a good candidate for public office. Mr. Traficant can surely find a position elsewhere.

As crooked and he was said to be – he is still more honest about subjects that matter than others who are currently serving in the US House – Not sure if he can again run for office – but wish him the best at whatever he legally wants to do.

A fine law-breaking politician deserves a hero's welcome. At least now he has a skill. Racketeering, obstruction of justice, tax evasion and bribery must be very profitable in a community that celebrates them. Remind me not to move to Ohio.

I feel bad for that poor squirrel on his head.

racketeering, obstruction of justice, tax evasion and bribery................................This sounds like a good prospect for a high position in the Obama administration.

WAKEUP!!! Are we really that asleep. This so called representative of the people was convicted for a litany of charges: racketeering, obstruction of justice, tax evasion and bribery. He receives the best health care and pension(even though he is a crook) paid for with your hard-earned money. And you are throwing this convict a party for getting out of jail! What a sad state.

Say what? A hero's welcome for a convicted criminal! Running for office again. Guess it makes sense ... most in office are crooks. He should fit right in.

I'd bet that this crook is still drawing his full congressional salary at our expense.

You would think our tax dollars could have purchased a little better rug for this clown while in our prison wouldn't you? I wonder if he lost his Federal pension and healthcare plan subsequent to his felony convictions?

I'm sure there is a position in the new administration for him....OH WAIT, one just opened up, perfect timing. Green Jobs Czar.

What does he have to offer big business? Can he sell out the American people with bogus trade practices? If not he might as well stay home.

Comparing himself to Mandela ????

What an egotistical, arrogant moron Traficant is

We are looking more and more like a third world country. Worshipping convicts is usually the first step.

Oh, come on!

Somewhere in all those charges is a teesie weesie one that is true!

Yet another corrupt Dem who craves power, makes pathetic excuses, refuses to take responsibility for his crimes, and believes he's entitled to an important government position.

The Dems would be idiots if the publicly embraced this guy.

Convicted House Representative got a hero's welcome home.
Is it cool to have been in the jail now?

It's very hard to convict anybody these days. I wonder why these 1,200 supporters did not raise money for him to hire better lawyers to keep him out of jail in the first place.

Shouldn't the headline read "Cheers for ex-convict EX-congressman"?

He's as much an ex for his office as he is for his incarceration.

What a sad state for America – where a traitor to his own constituents gets a hero's welcome! Or is just an outpouring of the obvious stupidity of Americans?

With gesturing like this, America gets what it deserves!

Simpletons are willing to vote for those to they can relate to, regardless of corruption. Our founders probably knew The Constitution was not sufficient. At least they tried. God, or fate, help us.

The epitome of a liberal Democratic Congressman. Convicted of racketeering, obstruction of justice, tax evasion and bribery, and he of course blames the governement of denying him his right to do these things.

David Johnson is just as sick as Trafficante. Why in God's name
would we want ANOTHER FELON in a Government Office???

typical.

In a democracy, the people always get the government they deserve.

So is the dude with the wombat on his head going to switch to the Republican party, or will he be a "Blue Dog" Democrat?

"The Vindicator reported that Columbiana County Republican Chairman David Johnson, who tried to defeat Traficant for years, was on hand for the event, and said the former congressman would have his support if he mounted another bid for office.

"I would support (Traficant) tomorrow if he ran for Congress," Johnson told the paper."

Am I just imagining things, or did something in the prison make a nest in Traficant's head?

Some people will always try to justify what they do no matter how wrong it is. He will stand before God one day and truly pay for what he did.

A Democrat evading taxes? Well there simply must be some mistake.

Any wonder why politicians are getting more and more bold about their lying and corruption??

The IDIOTS that cheer this man get exactly what they deserve... unfortunately the rest of us do too.

WAKE UP AMERICA!

Just what we don't need another criminal in Congress.

Perhaps Obama has a place in his administration for him.

Sounds like he is ready for an Obama cabinet position or at least a "czar" job. A liberal kind of guy.

What a shame, people greeting this guy like he's a hero, he was sworn it to work for the American People, and didn't. It shows how people have their morals backwards, they should be welcoming soldiers back from war, ant throwing rocks at this guy. To me it doesn't matter what party your from, if your a thief, throw them in JAIL

Once a crook, always a crook. Tell em what they want to hear.

His statement about life behind bars is relevant however. It's not just a place where you do your time, but it has its own political institutions. It is far rougher to carefully walk a fine line there. You are required to takes sides and swear allegiance to death.

Maybe that lesson will help Mr. Traficant handle life outside bars better than it did before he was convicted of the crimes he committed.

One would think that with all the money he stole he would buy a toupee that looks real!