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CNN Live At Daybreak

House Votes to Expel Congressman James Traficant

Aired July 25, 2002 - 05:01   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
ANDERSON COOPER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: The House has voted to expel nine term congressman and convicted felon James Traficant. Only one lawmaker, Gary Condit, voted against the move. Before the vote, Traficant had one last chance to appeals to his colleagues.

And as CNN's Kate Snow reports, he took full advantage.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

REP. JAMES TRAFICANT (D), OHIO: Am I scared to death? No. I'll go to jail before I'll resign and admit to something I didn't do.

KATE SNOW, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): He proclaimed his innocence until he was hoarse, subdued at times, then passionate, irate, Traficant denied he took bribes, kickbacks or forced aides to work on his horse farm.

TRAFICANT: I'll go to jail, but I'll be damned if I'll be pressured by a government that pressured these witnesses to death.

SNOW: In rambling remarks, Traficant argued government prosecutors forced witnesses to testify during his trial and had no physical evidence of a crime.

TRAFICANT: The prosecutor says your honor, we have no fingerprints of the defendant, 1,000 documents.

SNOW: But again and again, members of the House Ethics Committee refuted Traficant's claims. A jury had convicted him in April. The committee's own investigation found him guilty, as well.

REP. KENNY HULSHOF (R), MISSOURI: Mr. Traficant protests that he is the victim of selective prosecution, indeed, of government misconduct. But in order to believe his assertions, you would have to accept the gentleman's notion of a vast, unparalleled conspiracy involving not only the self-interested and disreputable characters from Youngstown, but also involving the office of the U.S. Attorney, the IRS, the FBI and a respected U.S. district judge.

SNOW: The members talked about duty, about policing their own. Many said expelling a colleague was something they wished they didn't have to do. The congressman, known for his colorful antics, kept the jokes to a minimum. TRAFICANT: What's happened to us, Congress? Am I different? Yes. Have I changed my pants? No. Deep down you know you want to wear wider bottoms, you're just not secure enough to do it. Do I do my hair with a weed whacker? I admit. But take into consideration what you're doing.

SNOW: Traficant said he knew he'd be expelled, but like any true politician he asked for his colleagues' votes. In the end, only one member voted against expulsion, Congressman Gary Condit.

(on camera): Traficant is only the second congressman since the Civil War to be expelled from the U.S. House. But if he has his way, he'll be back. Next week, Traficant will be sentenced to prison, but he says he's running for Congress even if it's from behind bars.

Kate Snow, CNN, Capitol Hill.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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