Behind Bars, But Still Campaigning

Former Rep. James A. Traficant Jr., running an election campaign from prison since he was ousted from Congress, is asking voters to re-elect him to show they don't fear the government.

Two commercials started running this week for Traficant, who is serving an eight-year term in a federal prison in Pennsylvania.

"No American should fear their government," Traficant says in one commercial, filmed the day before he was sentenced in July. "You and I both know that many Americans fear their government."

He tells viewers to show the government they're not afraid by voting for him, running as an independent, in the 17th Congressional District over Democrat Tim Ryan and Republican Ann Womer Benjamin.

"I believe I can do a better job than half the people down in Washington," he says.

The commercial is the first time the public has seen Traficant since he was sent to prison for bribery and racketeering.

Traficant does not appear in the second commercial. It shows projects he supported, including a federal courthouse and federal prisons, and closes with a voiceover: "Say what you want about him, but Traficant gets the job done."

Youngstown State University professor Bill Binning said the low-budget campaign ads are part of Traficant's image.

"They defy modern advertising. Not professional, not colorful, not upbeat," said Binning, comparing them to home movies.

Traficant's campaign has spent $32,976 on "media time," according to its latest Federal Election Commission report.