We still can’t figure out Mr. Jetton’s strategy of trying his future corruption case in the media. Jetton certainly can’t believe that – in this age of Tea Party activism and cynicism of government and politicians in general, that he’ll elicit any sympathy from a future jury pool for his trial. Tony Messenger has more today from his interview with the disgraced ex speaker:

He’s broke. He doesn’t have a job. His marriage crumbled. He’s living with his daughter. He faces one criminal charge and has the specter of a federal grand jury investigation hanging over his head.

“I got an application in to drive a garbage truck, and I got turned down to sell appliances,” Jetton, 42, said in an interview. “I’ve got no reputation. I have no money. I’ve got nothing.” Read more…

Now you think that we would take it easy on a guy who has lost everything, that to continue to criticize him is mere piling on at this stage but pride goeth before the fall and what goes around comes around. We’re told from insiders that the former speaker made life a sheer living hell for legislators who didn’t always tow the party line on votes or participate in his “pay for play” schemes to get their bills heard. As he admits in Messenger’s piece, he was “prideful and cocky”.  We reported on an instance of his cockiness in this post from July of ’08:

Several sources have confirmed to MOPNS a 2006 off capitol Republican caucus meeting where Speaker Jetton was asked by a legislator if he had his permission to do something. The quick witted Speaker replied:

“I don’t care what you do as long as you’re over 21 and white!”

 Witnesses told us that Jetton was pleased with his quip until it was pointed out to him – and he realized too late – that there was a lone African American in the caucus and in the room. Witnesses say Jetton profusely apologized to the legislator, as did other members. We are also told that many legislators apologized privately to the African American legislator throughout the day for Rowdy Rod’s bad taste “joke.” Read more…

Whatever our personal feelings for Jetton, we realize he’s not the only victim in this whole sordid affair. His children and his family are suffering too. We wish them the best.

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