Sept. 14, 2009 6:42 a.m.
By Dan O'Brien
COLUMBIANA, Ohio If there were any opponents to former congressman James A. Traficant Jr. taking the podium as the key speaker at Saturday's Tri-County TEA Party at Firestone Park, no one could see or hear them.
Less than two weeks after his release from a federal prison, Traficant swaggered through the crowd, shook hands, embraced old acquaintances and signed autographs for well-wishers, many of whom sported their newly purchased "Welcome Home Jimbo" T-shirts that sold for $15 at a nearby table.
The roughly 800 who gathered at Firestone Park some sponsors anticipated that as many as 4,000 would show up -- were part of the nationwide TEA (Taxed Enough Already) Party movement organized by groups opposed to the Obama administration, congressional policy and government spending. But it was clear most were there to listen to Traficant's trademark colorful remarks. He didn't disappoint as he railed against big government, the Internal Revenue Service, U.S. trade policy and whether he would seek a return to political life.
"I don't know what I'm going to do," Traficant said as cheers erupted. "I've made a lot of enemies, and if I make one wrong move, they'll put me back in jail for three more years." The crowd interrupted with shouts of "President Traficant" and "We're behind you. Jim."
"But if I do go, you don't need to give me any money. You just get me those votes," Traficant said as if it were a subtle kickoff campaign plea.
The former congressman said during an interview with the Fox News Channel's "On The Record with Greta Van Susteren" that his chances of running again were "50-50."
Before the rally, Traficant declined to speak with The Business Journal, noting, "You guys haven't been very nice to me in the past, so I'm not going to meet with you."Then, in typical Traficant fashion, he smiled and added, "Sometimes, you just need a politician just to say, 'P on you.' "
Traficant demonstrated he can still hold a crowd, and tempered the otherwise angry barbs delivered by previous speakers directed at President Barack Obama. "Let me caution you," he told a hushed crowd. "President Obama was opposed by a lot of powerful interests. I don't know where this is going to end up, but I'm going to give everybody a chance. Don't just let everybody know what you oppose, start advocating that which we propose, that which you want to see happen."
The invitation extended Traficant drew some criticism by TEA Party advocates, who worried that the former congressman's appearance would bury the real message of the event.
"How dare they pick that convicted felon!" Jerilyn Markle told the Business Journal last week. She and other friends were contemplating staging a protest at the rally, but none emerged Saturday.
And, despite Traficant attracting national news coverage last Thursday on Fox News and national print stories of his release from prison and a return home party that drew 1,200 people, the only out-of-town media present Saturday to cover the ex-congressman's appearance was WTOV Channel 9 out of Steubenville.
Organizer Anita Fraser of Salineville said the decision to invite Traficant made sense because he's always spoken his mind and is known for his support for workingmen and women, and not for special interests in Washington. "I still support him," she said, despite his conviction on the bribery and racketeering charges that sent him to prison seven years.
Dave Johnson, chairman of the Columbiana County Republican Party and CEO of Summitville Tile in Hanoverton, said Traficant has a strong record in voting against trade agreements that he says have devastated manufacturers across the county, including his.
"When Traficant was in Congress, he voted against NAFTA [North American Free Trade Agreement]," Johnson said. "Such trade agreements are jeopardizing the business climate unlike anything else in our lifetime. If it were a race between [U.S. Rep.] Tim Ryan and Jim Traficant, I'd support Jim Traficant" for Congress.
Ryan, D-17 Ohio, won election to Congress in 2002 after Traficant's conviction.
Johnson told the crowd Saturday that aside from national trade policy, proposals such as cap-and-trade legislation stand to "add cost to our products and to the products of every manufacturer in this country."
The "cap-and-trade" bill, which the Obama administration supports, is an environmental proposal that calls for a mandatory cap on emissions from manufacturers, business and producers with flexible compliance rules. "It will make it ever more difficult to compete in today's global economy," Johnson stated.
Others said they attended because they're afraid of a government that has grown too big and too intrusive on the lives of Americans.
"I'm trying to save our country so our kids and great grandkids can enjoy it," said Chester Poffitt of Wellsville. "I'm not a Republican or a Democrat. I'm fighting for our country."
Speakers at the event took aim at Obama's stimulus package, his proposals on health-care reform and described the president as a leftwing radical and Marxist. People in the audience held signs that said, "Oboma [sic] Can't Tell The Truth," "Health Care = Death Care for Americans," and "President Obama, just who are you? Your [sic] sure not for the U.S.A."
"He ran on a promise of change and that's what he intends to do with the help of his Marxist czars, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid," said Dr. Charles McGowan, who earlier referred to Obama as "America's first socialist president."
He said it is rallies and protests such as these that place pressure on politicians in Washington and send them a strong message: "Keep raising your voices, Americans. They have heard you in Washington and they are running scared."
Donald Allen, a veterinarian seeking the Republican Party's nomination for Congress in Ohio's 6th District, a seat held by U.S. Rep. Charlie Wilson, said government spending is spiraling out of control. "If I wasn't running, I'd be here anyway," he said. "It's very obvious that people are very angry at the way this country is being managed."
Other speakers included sales tax-reform advocate Bill Johnson of Poland, who is considering a run against Ryan, grocer Henry Nementz, and Roger Martig, a farmer.
Traficant was the final speaker at Saturday's rally, and participants were asked to sign petitions in support of the TEA Party's efforts after the event ended. A sizeable number of people wrote their names at tables behind a platform while a host of others stood in line to purchase novelty items.
"I've got to get a Traficant T-shirt," said one woman as she moved closer.
Copyright 2009 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.