WAFB Channel 9, Baton Rouge, LA |Richmond: Black Voters Who Choose Democrats Need to Reconsider Their Loyalties
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BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - State Representative Cedric Richmond told his colleagues in the Louisiana House today that black voters who vote for Democrats need to reconsider their loyalties, in light of that party's treatment of Congressman William Jefferson.
Today, the U.S. House stripped Jefferson of his assignment on the powerful Ways and Means Committee at the recommendation of House Democrats.
Richmond, a Democrat from New Orleans, condemned the national party for removing Jefferson from the committee because of a growing bribery scandal that surrounds him.
Jefferson has not been charged with a crime but is under federal investigation.
Richmond, who is chairman of the Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus, says party leaders punished Jefferson purely for political reasons.
Richmond also questioned why the party rejected the congressman's request that other Democratic House members who are under investigation be treated the same way.
He says the Democratic Party for far too long has taken for granted a large portion of its membership and its base. He says their action flies in the face of democratic principals that I grew up with.
