'Hardball' serves up more softballs to Jimbo

YOUNGSTOWN — James A. Traficant Jr. played “hardball” during an interview today on MSNBC, but the questions asked of the former congressman were more of the softball variety.

During the 11-minute interview, "Hardball" host Chris Matthews asked only a few questions, including one already asked several times by others: “Are you running for office again?”

“You never know, I may,” Traficant responded.

Matthews made a few statements when talking to Traficant.

In one case, he said, “You sound like a Republican.”

In response, Traficant said, “If it’s good for America I support it. This is the problem in Washington. Too many of these people walk like little lemmings over the cliff with so-called leaders. Chris, I’ve got to tell you something. I’ve never seen such weak leadership [in Congress] in my life.”

Traficant of Poland described Congress as a “big whorehouse.”

But he was respectful of President Barack Obama.

“As far as Obama’s concerned, I tell these TEA [Taxed Enough Already] Party groups, ‘Hey, look I don’t think you should be going after President Obama. I think his hands are pretty much tied. I think his heart’s in the right place.”