On September 28, 2005, Tom DeLay relinquished his post as Majority Leader (then a Republican post) of the U.S. House of Representatives, a full year before the 2005 elections. Today, one of the most powerful Democrats announced that he is temporarily stepping aside as chairman of one of the House’s most powerful committees:
Representative Charles B. Rangel of New York announced on Wednesday that he would temporarily step down from his powerful post as chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee in an attempt to avert a politically bruising fight over permanently stripping the gavel from his hands.
Just as the mainstream media kept the DeLay story in the headlines–even after he resigned from Congress–I don’t think they will pay much attention to Rangel now that he’s no longer a committee chair (not that they did as stories about his questionable conduct accumulated). But, note this from the Washington Post:
Rangel, 79, becomes the highest-ranking House member to resign a leadership position amid an ethical scandal in four years, since then-Reps. Tom DeLay (R-Tex.) and Robert W. Ney (R-Ohio) stepped down as, respectively, majority leader and administration committee chairman amid the Jack Abramoff lobbying investigation.
This is a pretty big deal–at least as big as those stories of GOP corruption which Nancy Pelosi exploited in 2006. Well, now, as Michelle Malkin puts it, “The Culture of Corruption chickens are coming home to roost.”
Now, it’s been over four years since Ronnie Earle, a left-wing District Attorney filed charges against DeLay–and still has not brought the case to trial. Sounds like all the sound and fury about the scandals surrounding DeLay signified nothing (as an aside, I’m no fan of DeLay, am glad he’s no longer GOP leader, but don’t think he’s a crook). So, will we get as much sound and fury about Charlie Rangel’s scandals? Or does that (D) after his name render him immune from such scrutiny?
Methinks not it does (in the eyes of the MSM).
NB: Corrected this as my rhetorical flourish (originally) answered the first question in the penultimate paragraph and not the second as it now does.
Are you kidding?
Charlie Rangel will get less press for this than James O’Keefe did for sitting in Mary Landrieu’s office.
The (D) after his name makes him somewhat immune from most media scrutiny. Not only that but also seem to keep criminal prosecution for other indiscretions he has. The general theme from Mr. Rangel is and has been that it’s not his fault. he did not know it was in violation of house rules. He feel’s that his staffer should have told him how was he to know.
If this type of excuse is to be accepted by the voters of New York it means they accept a STUPID Representative, or some who thinks they are STUPID. How was he to know???? He is a Congressional Representative he should know all the rules not only those that suite his purpose.
For the media not to vilify him for his statement “It was my staffers fault for not telling me” shows bias or is they are afraid of being called the “R” word.
Let the voters decide next election if they still wish to be represented by a STUPID person who doesn’t seem to know the tax laws (despite he chaired the committee that wrights them) or the RULES of the House of Representatives (although he has been there long enough). Or better maybe the Democratic Party of NY will decide not to support him in a reelection bid. They don’t seem to have a problem thronging officials under the bus.
It’s disgusting that the Democrats make their black crooks resign while their white crooks get a pass.
Definitely yes! Remember that politics will always be on top of all issues and these people are just waiting for the right time to do the kill. And for the poor Rangel, it is as if the kill is coming sooner than expected. But still, it is but noble to have the courage to face this head on, starting off with him stepping down.
We’ll I think it is but time for him that he step down to defend himself as a citizen first and not because he is political figure. And in the same way may his colleagues treat this justly. But politics is from being like this but we can always hope for the best. As the issue affects the congress more than the important matters, Rangel steeping down is the best thing to do… for the love of the country.