When will Jim Traficant’s supporters realize that Jimbo is nothing more than a con man whose only claim to fame is his status as a federal ex-con?

Ever since he got out of the federal penitentiary after serving seven-plus years for his criminal behavior while a member of Congress, Traficant has kept his name in the public spotlight by spewing all sorts of ridiculous pronouncements. The most ridiculous has got to be his insistence that America needs him back in Congress.

Today’s decision by the Trumbull County Board of Elections not to put his name on the general election ballot because he did not have enough valid signatures on his candidacy petitions comes as no surprise — to those who have long viewed him as a buffoon. He wanted to challenge U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan, D-Niles, in the 17th Congressional District. Talk about nuts.

Traficant has long believed, “You can fool all the stupid people all the time.” Fortunately, the number of stupid people is shrinking — as least when it comes to him.

What's next, Jimbo?