As I occasional mention, I love following the exploits of Representative James Traficant. His one minute speeches are deeply loved by staff on both sides. Anyways, it looks like he may final lose his seat, ladies and gentleman a moment of silence.

From National Journal Traficant's District Eliminated In Ohio Redistricting Plan Ohio Republicans Thursday won Democratic support for a congressional redistricting agreement that shores up the political base of Democratic Rep. Tom Sawyer, eliminates the district of Democratic Rep. James Traficant, and provides enough Democratic votes in the state legislature to enact the plan. Ohio is losing one of its House 19 seats, and the plan carves up Traficant's Youngstown-based 17th District among Sawyer, Democratic Rep. Ted Strickland and GOP Rep. Steven LaTourette. The GOP plan has been emerging this week, but did not pick up needed Democratic support until Thursday, when two Akron wards were added to Sawyer's district, improving his chances in an expected Democratic primary contest against Traficant, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer. Traficant, who goes to trial next month on federal racketeering, conspiracy and bribery charges,has vowed to seek re-election. Sawyer's new district includes Youngstown, where Traficant would have the best chance to compete. A Traficant spokesman accused Democrats of working to eliminate Traficant's district. "The Democrats, both at the state level and on the U.S. House delegation, had an abnormal amount of influence on this process," the spokesman told the Akron Beacon Journal. "His district being eliminated is certainly a result of that." Except for Traficant, the plan gives the state's Democrats districts in which they should be able to win re-election. Democratic Rep. Sherrod Brown, a potential challenger to GOP Gov. Bob Taft, received a district that includes his home in Lorain County. In the Cleveland area, Reps. Stephanie Tubbs Jones and Dennis Kucinich received districts that keep them in Democratic-dominated Cuyahoga County. Democratic Rep. Marcy Kaptur received a district that retains Toledo, but stretches eastward into Lorain County. The plan also expands Democratic Rep. Tony Hall's district into GOP territory in Warren County. Republicans controlled the process, but they need seven Democratic votes in the state House and one in the state Senate to enact the plan immediately in time for the state's Feb. 21 filing deadline and May 7 primary. — by Mark Wegner

I just hope for America's sake this is wrong, the man makes you laugh at the absurities in American politics and the world.