AP: Jefferson ekes out primary win
Source: Associated Press
With just one-quarter of the vote, scandal-plagued Congressman William Jefferson proved once again that he is a political survivor, winning his party's primary.
Now, as he faces a runoff against a former television journalist, Jefferson also has demographics and history on his side.
First, the history. Jefferson, Louisiana's first black congressman since Reconstruction, has won the New Orleans-based 2nd Congressional District seat nine times.
He proved his political resiliency two years ago, winning easy re-election over state Rep. Karen Carter Peterson, a young, up-and-coming black politician. The victory came even as late-night TV comics made him the butt of their jokes after federal agents said they found $90,000 in alleged bribe money hidden in his freezer.
I'd say Mr. Jefferson has used up about eight lives, but it looks like he still has one to go.
