Traficant signals he might run for office

Former Rep. Jim Traficant (D-Ohio) reiterated on Monday he was seriously considering another run for congressional office -- despite only having left prison less than two weeks ago.

"Both parties would not want to see me in Washington, believe me," Traficant told CNN's American Morning. "I'm the guy that changed the burden of proof in a civil tax case and had a bill moving forward that would finally, with the fair justice act, allow these people in the Justice Department to be charged and investigated and prosecuted for crimes."

He was also the guy sent to prison on corruption charges in 2002 and soon thereafter expelled from Congress for his indiscretions. Traficant did try to run for re-election that year -- from his jail cell -- but he was easily defeated. He has maintained throughout the ordeal, however, that he still understands and represents the concerns of his former constituents.

"I think I did a few things around Youngstown that helped Youngstown and improved Youngstown," the former congressman said. "So I'm going to have a lot of … opposition if I do run, but quite frankly, I don't give a damn."

Added Traficant: "You know, beam me up, I'm ready if I decide to run."