Traficant blew chance to emulate ‘Iron Mike’

James A. Traficant Jr.’s political dream was to follow in Michael J. Kirwan’s footsteps — in the Mahoning Valley, in Washington and in the nation. Unfortunately, Traficant was never able to walk the straight-and-narrow the way Kirwan had done in his 33 years as this region’s congressman.

“Iron Mike,” who served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1936 to 1970, was hailed by Speaker John McCormack as “the greatest American that ever lived” when he died in office. He had announced his retirement and was serving out his final term.

Kirwan was mourned throughout the nation and even in parts of the world. Republican President Richard M. Nixon and former Democratic President Lyndon B. Johnson joined members of Congress in paying tribute to one of the giants of the House of Representatives.

TRAFICANT’S EVICTION

Traficant, who served as the area’s congressman for 17 years, was unceremoniously evicted from the House in July 2002 after he was convicted on federal criminal charges, including bribery, tax evasion and racketeering. The former sheriff of Mahoning County spent more than seven years in federal prison, and upon release became a political caricature of his once politically dominant self.

Traficant died Saturday after a tractor he was driving on his family farm in Greenford toppled over and crushed him. He will be mourned by his staunch supporters, but there won’t be the outpouring of sympathy from his former colleagues on Capitol Hill, nor will the White House pay tribute to him.

Indeed, Traficant’s death will make national news but only because he was the first member of Congress since the Civil War to be expelled from office.

TALENT OF TRAFICANT

James Traficant was one of the most talented politicians this region has seen since Michael Kirwan crossed party lines to forge alliances locally and in Washington.

Traficant also was one of the most corrupt.

During his campaign for sheriff, he dealt with local Mafia figures, taking money from them in return for doing their bidding.

He won the election, was sworn in as sheriff, was charged by the federal government with racketeering, bribery and tax evasion and successfully defended himself in U.S. District Court.

He returned to Mahoning County a conquering hero and set his political sights on Congress.

One of the main planks in Traficant’s populist platform was the Lake Erie-to-Ohio River canal that was the brainchild of Kirwan.

Despite all his power and his record as the architect of countless public works projects, including the building of dams, Kirwan was never able to make the lake-to-river project a reality. The opposition from the railroads was just too strong.

Traficant took up the mantle and fashioned himself as the reincarnation of “Mr. Democrat.”

Sadly, his corrupt nature, fed by his corrupt friends, caused him to lose sight of his role as a representative of the people.

Rush Limbaugh, the renowned conservative talk show host, has a saying about himself: “... talent on loan from God.”

Jim Traficant had political talent on loan from God, but rather than use it for the good of mankind, he turned it into an instrument of evil.

He enriched himself, and for that he served time behind bars.

Forty-four years after his death, Mike Kirwan is remembered fondly by historians.

Jim Traficant’s death closes a sordid chapter in the political life of the Mahoning Valley.

Such is the tale of opportunity taken versus opportunity squandered.