# Is Traficant an egomainical maverick or just insane? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 4, 2002, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-traficant-an-egomainical-maverick-or-just-insane/101830 "2002-04-04T18:27:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2002, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-traficant-an-egomainical-maverick-or-just-insane/101830/1 "2002-04-04T18:27:49Z")
Well? He’s representing _himself_ sans lawyers in this trial. [Traficant says judge turned Constitution into toilet paper’](http://www.cleveland.com/traficant/index.ssf?/xml/story.ssf/html_standard.xsl?/base/news/1017916292158043.xml) Little snippet > [@](#): > > Wells has shown considerable patience with Traficant the last nine weeks, ignoring his outbursts and insults and even a motion by prosecutors that she establish new rules for his behavior. But she appeared to have had enough yesterday. Shortly before 11 a.m., Traficant once again had run out of witnesses to question. > > Wells inquired whether he had completed his defense. > > “Congressman, do you rest?” Wells asked. > > “Every evening,” Traficant replied, drawing a laugh from the gallery. > > The judge, dissatisfied with the response, dressed down the nine-term congressman in front of the jury. > > “These men and women will not be permitted to sit here idly while you dilly-dally and delay,” she told Traficant ---
**Author:** ![Cliffy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/59ef9b/32.png) [@Cliffy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cliffy)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2002, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-traficant-an-egomainical-maverick-or-just-insane/101830/2 "2002-04-04T19:47:00Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by astro \* > \*\*Well? He’s representing _himself_ sans lawyers in this trial. > \*\* Well, it worked the last time. –Cliffy ---
**Author:** ![Big\_Kahuna\_Burger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Big\_Kahuna\_Burger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Big_Kahuna_Burger)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2002, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-traficant-an-egomainical-maverick-or-just-insane/101830/3 "2002-04-04T20:03:51Z")
Short answer: Both Long answer: He’s a relic from another era. He’d fit in well back in the 30s when populist, blue-collar politicians were popular at the union halls where they could give rousing speeches and haranguing against everything controlled by anybody who didn’t work in a factory or a farm made you highly electable. Of course, now is now, and for some reason Youngstown keeps on sending him back. He does have quite the ego, defending himself sans a law degree or really that much gray matter to begin with, and you can judge from trial coverage he has many screws loose. Ohio gerrymandered him out of a district so this should be his last year in Congress. Of course, you don’t have to listen to me. Judge for yourself [here](http://www.yourcongress.com/section.asp?section=Daily_Traficant). ---
**Author:** ![vanilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/f19dbf/32.png) [@vanilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vanilla)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2002, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-traficant-an-egomainical-maverick-or-just-insane/101830/4 "2002-04-05T00:17:16Z")
Living in Cleveland, this is a local thing with me. My answer? Both. ---
**Author:** ![Tedster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/4491bb/32.png) [@Tedster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tedster)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2002, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-traficant-an-egomainical-maverick-or-just-insane/101830/5 "2002-04-05T01:29:54Z")
While the guy belongs to the wrong party, he does have **balls** an increasingly rare feature of politicians these days. I have a grudging admiration of him for that. But, he’s obviously a crook. ---
**Author:** ![Wisest\_Novel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wisest_novel/32/13329_2.png) [@Wisest\_Novel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wisest_Novel)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2002, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-traficant-an-egomainical-maverick-or-just-insane/101830/6 "2002-04-05T01:53:31Z")
Even more so than **vanilla** , I have a pretty close-up view of this. Since I was until recently the local Area Manager of the phone company for the Youngstown district, I see people in the community daily. That in no way makes me an expert, but it does give me a certain perspective. My observations: 1. You have to understand Youngstown and vicinity. I’ve lived in 17 states, and every one–every town, even–has its own atmosphere. With that in mind, Ytown strikes me as a very embattled town. A great deal of the steel industry has gone, leaving a depressing shell; but most of what’s left has a definite blue tinge in the collar. In addition, they’ve had perhaps more than their share of corrupt officials. I can say that I’ve never been in a town with a stronger mob influence–it’s pervasive here. Enter Traficant: he’s bombastic, weirdly charismatic (to a certain type) and has successfully lobbied for _lots_ of federal money for urban renewal and technology enhancement projects in his district. 2. Add the relative acceptance of corruption and the measurable contributions Big Joe has made to the area, and you end up with: amazing acceptance of the old goat! I’m constantly amazed by the comments I hear from people from all walks of life. Familiar strains: “He’s no more corrupt than the rest of ‘em; he just caught the Feds’ attention”; “Yeah, but he got us the Civic Center…”; “They only hate him because he calls it like it is.” 3. That’s only one side of the equation, of course, but my highly unscientific poll suggests that Joe would likely not only survive a no-confidence vote, he’d win re-election (should he survive both prosecution and re-districting, of course). It’s amazing, of course, to any outsider. And I have to admit, I find myself rooting for the crazy fuck after only 2 years here. I just wish we could all chip in for a comb for the SOB. ---
**Author:** ![kittenblue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ba8739/32.png) [@kittenblue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kittenblue)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2002, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-traficant-an-egomainical-maverick-or-just-insane/101830/7 "2002-04-05T16:12:50Z")
I just think it’s funny that so many of his own witnesses have ended up supporting the prosecution’s arguments. And he’s not really paranoid when he claims “they’re out to get me”…they really are…he just can’t seem to understand it’s because he’s done something wrong. He reminds me a lot of Bill Clinton…charismatic, fights a good fight…but is still an egomaniac jerk at the core. Even jerks sometimes do good things. And he needs not only a comb, but a mirror, some scissors, and a barber who can lay it on the line for him. Oh, and a gift certificate to The Men’s Wearhouse. ---
**Author:** ![Wisest\_Novel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wisest_novel/32/13329_2.png) [@Wisest\_Novel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wisest_Novel)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2002, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-traficant-an-egomainical-maverick-or-just-insane/101830/8 "2002-04-08T20:37:23Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by kittenblue \* > \*\*And he needs not only a comb, but a mirror, some scissors, and a barber who can lay it on the line for him. Oh, and a gift certificate to The Men’s Wearhouse. \*\* That was hilarious, **kittenblue**! But it may be partly because I’m still punchy from the sleep-deprivation debauchery that was [ChiDope](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=108182) this weekend. You shoulda been there. ---
**Author:** ![kittenblue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ba8739/32.png) [@kittenblue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kittenblue)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2002, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-traficant-an-egomainical-maverick-or-just-insane/101830/9 "2002-04-08T23:30:39Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Wisest Novel \* > \*\*That was hilarious, **kittenblue**! But it may be partly because I’m still punchy from the sleep-deprivation debauchery that was [ChiDope](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=108182) this weekend. You shoulda been there. \*\* I heard you were the Ohio delegate…are you in any of the pictures? So the jury is out…how long do you think they’ll take, and any opinions on a possible verdict? You can answer after your nap. I promise not to pounce on your tummy. ---
**Author:** ![JohnBckWLD](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d6d6ee/32.png) [@JohnBckWLD](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnBckWLD)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2002, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-traficant-an-egomainical-maverick-or-just-insane/101830/10 "2002-04-08T23:43:27Z")
He beat the rap years back during his first trial with the same antics and accusations. I agree, he does have balls…and he sure offered some blue-collar, grassroots common sense and comedic balance to the opening statements every morning in the House of Representitives. ---
**Author:** ![Wisest\_Novel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wisest_novel/32/13329_2.png) [@Wisest\_Novel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wisest_Novel)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2002, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-traficant-an-egomainical-maverick-or-just-insane/101830/11 "2002-04-09T01:10:58Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by kittenblue \* > **I heard you were the Ohio delegate…are you in any of the pictures?** Yep, I saw me in both **Jadis** ’ and **Hamadryad** ’s pages. I’m the geeky-lookin’ mug with the brown leather jacket/grey oxford/blue oxford. Fortunately, a satisfying percentage of the photos I appear in also feature extremely attractive Hot Doper Wimminz snuggling up to various degrees. See my dissertation in the thread on just how impressive they all were. I’ll never be the same. > [@](#): > > **So the jury is out…how long do you think they’ll take, and any opinions on a possible verdict?** I can’t see him possibly beating this one, but I was surprised last time, too. I’m still in IL (babysitting my brother’s kids all week), so I won’t see much coverage. Can you post the verdict and the highlights in this thread when they come out? > [@](#): > > \*\*You can answer after your nap. I promise not to pounce on your tummy. \*\* No nap until I get the kids to bed–then I can collapse. How about curling up and purring? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![kittenblue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ba8739/32.png) [@kittenblue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kittenblue)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2002, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-traficant-an-egomainical-maverick-or-just-insane/101830/12 "2002-04-09T03:46:18Z")
I’ll do my best to post those results. As for curling up and purring, that’s never a problem…however, after re-reading the ChiDope thread, I’m afraid a host of Hot Doper Wimmen have already made other plans for you…you apparently are quite the hot young stud! By the way… Is there a category for Cuddly Doper Wimmin? ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2002, 5:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-traficant-an-egomainical-maverick-or-just-insane/101830/13 "2002-04-09T05:59:42Z")
I think Traficant is an honest-to-god paranoid schizophrenic. All he lacks are the voices telling him what to do. ---
**Author:** ![kittenblue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ba8739/32.png) [@kittenblue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kittenblue)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2002, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-traficant-an-egomainical-maverick-or-just-insane/101830/14 "2002-04-12T03:12:59Z")
Guilty, guilty, guilty, guilty, guilty, guilty, guilty, guilty, guilty, and guilty.[Here it is…](http://www.newsnet5.com/news/1393304/detail.html) all the latest. Sorry I didn’t post this sooner…a girl has to work, ya know. And by the way, this is the first link I’ve ever put in a post, so let’s all pray that it worked. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2002, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-traficant-an-egomainical-maverick-or-just-insane/101830/15 "2002-04-12T03:28:26Z")
I know he’s been convicted but, Can one be found not guilty by reason of insanity if one refuses to make this plea? Can a judge simply rule it so? Can Trafficant now appeal based on the clear insanity (can there _be_ “clear insanity”) he displayed _during_ the trial? I hope not, or we’ll be hearing from Colin Ferguson again, too. ---
**Author:** ![vanilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/f19dbf/32.png) [@vanilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vanilla)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2002, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-traficant-an-egomainical-maverick-or-just-insane/101830/16 "2002-04-12T13:54:21Z")
I was surprised he was found guilty. I’d heard that the longer a jury deliberates, the more likely it’ll be hung, or not guilty. I was a bit put off by teh juror who, when asked, said his 70’s style closes and hair style didn’;t influence her decision at all. So, why should it have? sheesh! ---
**Author:** ![Wisest\_Novel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wisest_novel/32/13329_2.png) [@Wisest\_Novel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wisest_Novel)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2002, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-traficant-an-egomainical-maverick-or-just-insane/101830/17 "2002-04-12T14:16:41Z")
Thanks for posting the results, **kitten**. I saw your post last night, but was too dadgum tired to reply. I assume he was convicted of everything, then. What do the wags say about sentencing? ---
**Author:** ![Duke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e8c25b/32.png) [@Duke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duke)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2002, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-traficant-an-egomainical-maverick-or-just-insane/101830/18 "2002-04-12T19:05:53Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by yojimboguy \* > **Can one be found not guilty by reason of insanity if one refuses to make this plea? Can a judge simply rule it so?** I have this Groucho Marx-esque scene in my head: Judge Horsefeathers: “How do you plead?” Defendant: “Guilty, Your Honour.” Judge Horsefeathers: “Guilty!? You must be crazy! Not guilty by reason of insanity!” Prosecutor: “Objection, Your Honour! I demand a re-trial!” Judge Horsefeathers: “All right. On appeal, I think the defendant is ugly too! Case closed!” The only thing I have to add on Traficant is that a few years ago I met a guy who was formerly an intern in his office. He said it was common knowledge, even amongst the lowest ranks of the staff and all the Congress interns, that Traficant was both on the take _and_ a “nutcase.” ---
**Author:** ![Cosmopolitan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/94ad74/32.png) [@Cosmopolitan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cosmopolitan)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2002, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-traficant-an-egomainical-maverick-or-just-insane/101830/19 "2002-04-12T20:04:51Z")
He seems to be about five beers short of a six-pack, but I wonder if that’s just because he’s an egomaniac of the highest order…Two mints in one, I say. ---
**Author:** ![Big\_Kahuna\_Burger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Big\_Kahuna\_Burger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Big_Kahuna_Burger)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2002, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-traficant-an-egomainical-maverick-or-just-insane/101830/20 "2002-04-12T21:24:44Z")
It’ll be interesting to see who’s charged with expelling him. Expelling colleagues can often be a jumping pad to greater things. For example, Mo Udall gained clout after he ousted Adam Clayton Powell from his post. And in Michigan State Sen. Thaddeus McCotter got to draw himself his own congressional district after leading the charge to expel a fellow state senator who’d driven drunk and hit his girlfriend. And then there was this real jackass from Georgia…