Should Charles Rangel resign?
A powerful Democrat's ethics controversy puts his party in the hot seat
Rangel: On his way out?
(Dennis Van Tine/Retna Ltd./Corbis)
If Rep. Charles Rangel "had any sense of duty, let alone honor," said Jonathan Capehart in The Washington Post, "he'd give up the Ways and Means gavel on his own." It's no surprise that the Republican-led attempt to strip Rangel of his powerful committee chairmanship went nowhere—"Rangel is a revered member of the Democratic Party and the dean of the New York congressional delegation." But that doesn't mean he should get a pass on failing to disclose sizeable financial assets.
Democrats will regret protecting Rangel, said Jennifer Rubin in Commentary. The man has "collected tax and ethics scandals the way some people collect stamps"—including his failure to report on federal and state tax returns that he raked in $75,000 in rental income on a villa in the Dominican Republic. "He’ll be a poster boy for corruption in the 2010 race the way Tom DeLay was in 2006 and Dan Rostenkowski was in 1994."
Democrats didn't even bother defending Rangel, said Gail Collins in The New York Times. They just "swiftly and sullenly" referred his case to the Ethics Committee, which is "currently embarked on Year Two of its Charles Rangel investigation." House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says she's out to punish bad apples—how Congress ultimately deals with Rangel "is a test of whether the Democrats will follow through when it’s really, really hard."
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8 Comments
Posted by kam, Thursday, October 8, 2009, 2:57 pm Wait a minute! Nancy has PROMISED that she will drain the swamp that congress has become and provide the most transparent congress ever. Why charlie rangel is the most upstanding member the libs have ever had in congress! NOTHING will happen to charlie, not even a censure...after all, he is innocent of being honest...gasp, can't type anymore...laughing too hard...gasp
Posted by moderate, Friday, October 9, 2009, 7:51 am That guy's a Liberal ....capital L! Give him a fair trial then hang him along with all his other lying, cheating, Americahating, socialistas, commie, scum.
Posted by Bob, Friday, October 9, 2009, 11:00 am Yes, he is a Liberal and one who has admitted most of the charges against him. Those crimes he hasn't admitted are so blatant that we don't need a onehour Law and Order to make the casebut two years? And the talking heads say he is such a likeable fellow. I'd be likeable too if I could rake in all that cash and pay no tax on it. It isn't that he's Liberal but that Congress is so thoroughly corrupt. And this is the gang that will fund federal programs by eliminating greed, waste, and corruption?
Posted by Duane, Friday, October 9, 2009, 4:58 pm Remember what Congress has done for/to you when you vote in November 2010, Remove all incumbents and let's start anew.
Posted by Bob Summerfelt, Friday, October 9, 2009, 8:44 pm I am outraged by his scandalous, obviously unethical, and very likely illegal behavior. He is a disgrace to the Democratic Party. He should resign, and he should be tried for tax evasion. His behavior epitomizes the ignominious status of American politicians that serve themselves rather than the public that pays their salaries.
Posted by Charlie , Tuesday, October 13, 2009, 3:20 pm What's all the fuss about? It's those mean nasty repugs picking on me because they are racists. I represent the democrat party, in fact, I am the poster child of the upstanding quality of a congressional democrat party member. Push me and I will unload all the dirt I have on all the congress. Wait till you hear what I have on fancy nancy.....Can't touch me...Ha, ha!
Posted by Charles Swit, Friday, October 30, 2009, 3:38 pm Hell, YES. Get him out of the house. He is as crooked as his leadership. Dirty and caught with his hands dirty. Remember when Agnew resigned, in shame, for failing to pay back taxes? WHAT is happening now? It's a badge of honor or what? Get rid of the bad seeds and get good people in the government.
Posted by Amie, Friday, October 30, 2009, 3:40 pm Drain the swamp. SHE would be the first down the drain. NancyP is bad for America. Long past time for her to go. Her rating is lower than GW's!! That is bad. Vote her OUT, and take Charlie and Barney with you!!!
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