BY HOWARD WILKINSON
The Cincinnati Enquirer
It doesn't happen every day in politics, but an incumbent Democratic congressman came to Cincinnati on Thursday to campaign for the incumbent Republican in the 1st Congressional District.
U.S. Rep. James Traficant, a seven-term Democrat with a reputation as a party maverick, caught Democratic Party leaders by surprise when he showed up to endorse Republican Steve Chabot on a radio talk show and at a gathering of Chabot supporters in a Covedale restaurant.
"If I lived in this district, I'd vote for Steve," the 57-year-old Youngstown-area Democrat said, his arm draped around the shoulders of Mr. Chabot. "He's my friend."
Mr. Chabot is locked in one of the most closely watched and hotly contested congressional elections in the country, facing a challenge from Cincinnati's three-term mayor, Democrat Roxanne Qualls. Mr. Traficant, after speaking to about 20 Chabot supporters at the restaurant, said he isn't interested in partisan politics.
"I've got nothing against this woman Steve is running against," Mr. Traficant said. "I don't know the woman. I guess she's OK. But Steve is a great congressman, and I'm glad he's my friend."
The Qualls campaign had no comment on Mr. Traficant's visit. Mr. Traficant -- well-known to viewers of C-SPAN for his frequent one-minute floor speeches bashing the IRS, foreign aid and American trade policy -- said he offered to help the Chabot campaign because of Mr. Chabot's support of two provisions that Mr. Traficant wanted added to the recent tax reform bill passed by Congress.
Mr. Traficant wanted to shift the burden of proof in tax cases from the individual taxpayer to the IRS and provide for a hearing before the IRS could seize an individual's property. The provisions were included in the final bill, with the aid of Mr. Chabot and others. "He was there when I needed him, and when the taxpayers needed him," Mr. Traficant said.
Mr. Chabot said he was grateful for the help.
"I'm just glad Jim would be willing to do this for me," Mr. Chabot said. "I've been able to work with some of the people on the other side of the aisle, and Jim is one of them."
Mr. Traficant frequently breaks with the Democratic leadership. He has been highly critical of President Clinton over the president's admission that he had an "improper relationship" with former intern Monica Lewinsky.
"Sex violence, corruption, bribery, deceit," Mr. Traficant said to the Chabot supporters. "That's just not in Washington; it's in the White House. The whole place is out of control."
