He was greeted with cheers and handshakes from over one thousand people Saturday afternoon at Firestone Park, all waiting to hear Jimbo's plan for action. Our Jennifer Jefcoat was the only local television reporter to talk with him one-on-one about...well, everything. Here is her report.
"I don't like what's happening in America and when I get a chance to speak I'm going to articulate my concerns. I don't give a damn who it hurts because this is our country and we need to do what's necessary." Never afraid to speak his mind, Jim Traficant stood before thousands at Firestone Park for the Tri-County Tea Party. "It's time to eliminate the IRS and create a flat tax in America with everybody. It's very simple."
The former Valley congressman posed for pictures and signed autographs, less than two weeks after serving 7 years in prison for racketeering and bribery.
He spoke with me exclusively in his first local television interview since being released. Here's what he had to say about a possible future in Washington. "The last person they want to hear from is Jim Traficant, but you know what? They all know who I am and I did what I had to do in Washington to get all that money they were sending all over the world back here for our people."
Then things got a little personal as Traficant told me about how tea party's around the country are catching on. He brought me in closer to his side. "If it does, those people in Washington better protect their crotch because those people are upset. (I heard you were a pistol.) A what? (A pistol.) Oh, I love it when you talk dirty to me."
Irreverent humor aside, supporters were quick to ask Traficant to run for office again. Jimbo says he's not sure. "If I do, you don't have to get me any money. You just get me those votes. Thank you."
