Pelosi, Jefferson, and $90,000 in the Freezer

The Democrats have a problem.

They have no new ideas to offer the American people, no plans.

They are the party of "No."

They also appear to be the party of no effective leadership.

Their national strategy for the November elections is for candidates to run as the alternative to Bush and the evil Republicans and the Culture of Corruption -- a "we are not them" approach.

Their main campaign slogan: WE ARE NOT CORRUPT.

The problem: Dems can't run as the anti-corruption option BECAUSE THEY ARE JUST AS CORRUPT AS REPUBLICANS.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -- House Democrats voted on Thursday to remove Rep. William Jefferson from a powerful committee while federal investigators weigh possible bribery charges against the Louisiana Democrat.

Jefferson will not be forced off the tax-writing Ways and Means Committee unless the entire House of Representatives votes to do so.

The secret vote demonstrated Democrats' determination to distance themselves from the New Orleans lawmaker at a time when they hope to capitalize on Republican corruption scandals to win control of Congress in November's elections.

"Passing judgment on your peers is very, very difficult, but it is necessary," said House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of California. "I told all my colleagues -- anybody with $90,000 in the freezer, you have a problem at that point."

NO KIDDING!

Jefferson, who has not been charged, has denied wrongdoing and refused to step down from the Ways and Means Committee, which he says is a vital post to help constituents in his district.

"Unfortunately, Minority Leader Pelosi wants so badly to win leadership in the House that she has persuaded the caucus to sacrifice my constituents -- who, after (Hurricane) Katrina, need my leadership on my committee more than ever," Jefferson said in a statement released after the vote.

Clearly, Jefferson refuses to go quietly.

And he's lashing out at Pelosi for leading the charge to get rid of him.

This is becoming a major fracture in the Dem party, yet the mainstream media aren't jumping on it. As usual, they are covering up for the Dems.

Where are the relentless reports on the "weakened" Pelosi?

Where are the relentless reports about the floundering Dems?

Where are the relentess reports about the racial divisions within the party?

It really all boils down to this: A Dem can put $90,000 in the freezer, but the party can't sweep it under the rug.

The eight-term congressman has found support among fellow black lawmakers, who say he should not be punished if he has not been indicted. They point out there is no rule to strip lawmakers of their committee assignments simply because they are attracting negative attention.

"We don't know what the rule is," said North Carolina Rep. Mel Watt, chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus. "Our concern is that the rule is really political expediency."

RACE CARD ALERT.

It's time for Jefferson to stage a news conference with Danny Glover and Harry Belafonte.

When all else fails...

Jefferson's refusal to step down places Democrats in an awkward spot, as they must now pass a similar resolution on the floor of the House and hope Republicans do not try to embarrass them.

Oooooooooh. Those nasty Republicans might attempt to embarrass the Dems because of the Jefferson fiasco.

Hey, Dems! You're embarrassing yourselves on your own. The Republicans just have to sit back and watch the hilarity ensue.

The Culture of Corruption strategy is doomed.

Who knows? Jefferson may be responsible for handing Republicans a victory in November.

I think $90,000 in the freezer can do that.

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Update: Jefferson is out.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The House stripped Democratic Rep. William Jefferson of his committee seat on Friday in an unprecedented action against a lawmaker ensnared in scandal, but not under indictment.

The move came on a voice vote, without debate, and capped an election- year effort by House Democrats to seize the political high ground on the issue of lawmaker ethics.