Got a lawyer?: The legal woes of some superdelegates

While elected officials are expected to conduct themselves according to the highest ethical standards, they are human and a few fall short of the mark. The Democratic Party has its share of people who have gotten into hot water —or, in some cases, on thin ice.

But those kinds of party members may find their superdelegate status and seat at the Democratic National Convention threatened if they are found guilty of the crimes for which they have been indicted.

One such superdelegate is Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, who was indicted for perjury, conspiracy and obstruction of justice for lying under oath about an affair he had with his former chief of staff, Christine Beatty.

The affair came to light after two police officers, including Kilpatrick’s former bodyguard, sued the mayor, claiming he had fired them because of a probe of into his personal life.

On May 13, the Detroit City Council voted to impeach Kilpatrick on a 5-4 vote and asked Gov. Jennifer Granholm (a fellow superdelegate) to remove Kilpatrick from office if impeachment fails.

Another superdelegate with his own brand of legal trouble is Rep. William Jefferson, D-La., who was indicted on charges of racketeering, soliciting bribes, money laundering and obstruction of justice.

Jefferson was charged after the FBI raided his congressional office in 2006, and found $90,000 in his apartment freezer, as part of a 14-month investigation for allegedly accepting bribes for promoting business ventures in Africa. Jefferson has served as co-chair of the Africa Trade and Investment Caucus and the Congressional Caucuses on Brazil and Nigeria.

On June 8, 2007, Jefferson pled not guilty to the charges against him.

If Kilpatrick and Jefferson are not found guilty, they will likely retain their superdelegate status. As for political redemption, they could always learn a lesson from Rep. Alcee Hastings, D-Fla.

Hastings has weathered his own share of legal troubles. In 1981, Hastings, a Florida federal judge, was indicted on charges of conspiring to solicit a bribe from defendants awaiting sentencing in Hastings’ court.

Hastings was later acquitted of the charges, although the House Judiciary Committee brought 17 impeachment articles against him and the Senate convicted him on eight of the articles. He lost his judgeship but was subsequently elected to Congress.

By John Riley

 

Sophie Masloff, 90, made political history in Pittsburgh

Sophie Masloff, 90, is a mainstay of Pittsburgh politics, where she served as president of the City Council back in the late 70s and early 80s. When Mayor Richard Caliguiri died in office in 1988, she took the helm, finishing his term, and was successfully reelected for another.

She was the first Jewish person and remains the only woman to ever hold the title.

And Masloff, a superdelegate, recently had the opportunity to back the first woman to run for president, Sen. Hillary Clinton.

And she did. Masloff recently pledged that her support will go to Clinton, come time for the Democratic National Convention.

Masloff is a well-liked figure in Pittsburgh. Born in 1917 to Jewish Romanian parents, she spoke only Yiddish until she went to elementary school. Recently, the city of Pittsburgh named a street in Masloff’s honor. Click on the video screen below to watch the unveiling.

By Melissa Schmitt

 

Superdelegate Interview: A Texan supporting Obama

Interview with Al Edwards, Texas Superdelegate, Minister and Real Estate agent in Houston

by Jonathan Rubin

May 16, 2008

Comments have been edited for length and clarity.

Q. You picked Obama as your candidate. Do you think he can make it to the presidency?
A. I really think he will make it. I think at some point, the Democrats will come together and stop the bloodletting, so to speak… I’m a firm believer that Americans are not going to be stupid enough and blindfolded to go back and elect a Republican president.

Q. What are your personal feelings about Obama?
A. It a disgrace how Americans have to live today. The economy is horrible. We have lost the value of our dollar around the world. We are a debter nation, rather than someone who did all the lending, as before. Our jobs are just vastly going abroad. We’ve got senior citizens having to choose medicine over food, or vice versa. I like that Obama is going to do a national health program. We need some leadership… someone who is going to take care of homeland security… I think he’s sincere about really making changes in this nation. I think he’s going to be a worker and that he’s going to get things done. He’s going to work for all the people – not just blacks or whites or browns or blues.

Q. Has your life changed since becoming a super delegate?
A: It keeps you in tune to the news. It’s a matter of keeping up so you can give an intelligent response, and personally knowing what they (candidates) are doing.