I haven't lived in LA for a long time, but I always have curiosity about the place. The story of Rep. William Jefferson is something I have followed at a distance ever since the hurricane coverage of him commandeering some National Guard troops to rescue a refrigerator or something from his house. The coverage on NPR this morning regarding Jefferson mentioned "two conditions" to his offer to voluntarily step down from his committee position but only disclosed one about naming a fellow Louisianian to his spot. I was curious about the second condition, but NPR's coverage seems stranger now because it wasn't only that Jefferson wanted another LA Rep., he wanted to hand-pick his successor.
Chron.com | House Dems Strip Jefferson of Panel Seat:
Within an hour of the vote, Jefferson disclosed he had offered on Wednesday to step aside on two conditions. They were that the caucus establish a rule covering cases like his and that his seat on Ways and Means go temporarily to a fellow Louisiana Democrat, Rep. Charles Melancon.
The Times-Picayune had an interesting twist on the condition that NPR didn't cover and that the Houston Chronicle called "a rule;" T-P indicates that the condition called for something less than a rule, but merely equal treatment.
Nola.com | Demos vote Jefferson off panel
In a letter to Pelosi on Wednesday, Jefferson offered to give up his Ways and Means seat under two conditions: that the party apply the same standards to other members under investigation and that it name Rep. Charlie Melancon, D-Napoleonville, to replace him because he too represents a district that has been devastated by Hurricane Katrina. Pelosi rejected the offer, according to his Jefferson spokeswoman, Melanie Roussell.
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