Rangel takes “leave of absence”
posted at 10:12 am on March 3, 2010 by Ed Morrissey
Via The Right Scoop, Charlie Rangel retreats after getting scolded by the House Ethics Committee. Note, however, that Rangel isn’t explicitly tying it to the first finding, but to the ongoing probe on seven other allegations. The headscratching moment comes at the very end, when Rangel returns to the microphone, Columbo-like, to offer a strange ending to the event:
“I also would like to say that, from the very, very beginning, I had offered this to Speaker Pelosi.”
That’s such a transparent falsehood that it beggars belief. Just last night, he publicly refused to step down from the position, going Groucho Marx on Roll Call when asked if he remained chair of Ways and Means. It’s quite a performance from a man studied in the art of deceit, akin to a Jackson Pollack-style artist finishing his last canvas by dumping an entire can of red paint on it and demanding that someone buy it. I don’t think anyone’s buying that line from Rangel.
With Rangel politically wounded enough to have to surrender his gavel on Ways and Means, does he run for another term this year? Better yet, is there anyone in his district who could seriously challenge him even after this?
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Here’s hoping for an Aerosmith…a Permanent Vacation!
search4truth on March 3, 2010 at 10:13 AM
He shouldn’t be allowed to vote on anything, and the GOP should bring a resolution to the House floor demanding he step down from office immediately.
SouthernGent on March 3, 2010 at 10:14 AM
Adam Clayton Powell 2.0
fogw on March 3, 2010 at 10:15 AM
Oh great. Another one of those vague, illdefined one syllable words…like ‘is’…
percysunshine on March 3, 2010 at 10:15 AM
New Yorkers would vote for him even if he was on death row.
Vashta.Nerada on March 3, 2010 at 10:15 AM
Is that suppose to make your despicable acts right Mr. slick
My bet is within 60 days she ( Botox thug ) will haVE YOU
BACK BECAUSE YOU ARE A SLEEZY DEMOCRAT AND CAN BE BOUGHT OUT.
bluegrass on March 3, 2010 at 10:15 AM
Dude, give me Pete Stark like, right now.
russcote on March 3, 2010 at 10:15 AM
Maybe he can come back in time for the Nov. elections!
Charlie, don’t take a leave of absence. JUST LEAVE.
Good Lt on March 3, 2010 at 10:16 AM
Like New Orleans and Ray Nagin
thomasaur on March 3, 2010 at 10:16 AM
about as slick, greasy and shifty as they come…
PatriotRider on March 3, 2010 at 10:16 AM
Democrats’ brains “take leave of absence”
WashJeff on March 3, 2010 at 10:17 AM
Is Charles’ district basically the same one that was represented by Adam Clayton Powell? If so, will Charles surface next on Bimini?
ya2daup on March 3, 2010 at 10:17 AM
Chris RockJason Mattera discusses corruption with Charles Rangel a year and a half ago:“Why are you such a disgrace?”
“why don’t you mind your G-D business“
forest on March 3, 2010 at 10:18 AM
Hopefully it doesn’t end up with Aerosmith’s Back In The Saddle Again…
juanito on March 3, 2010 at 10:19 AM
Hey Charlie, think of all the free time you’ll have redecorating your FOUR rent-controlled apartments.
GarandFan on March 3, 2010 at 10:19 AM
And his constituents should bring the tar and feathers to advance his retirement.
Crusader Rabbit on March 3, 2010 at 10:19 AM
He is the poster child for the most ethical Congress evah. What a loser among losers.
At what point are the American people ashamed of these clowns?
ORconservative on March 3, 2010 at 10:19 AM
ANYONE OPPOSED TO THIS MAN IS A RACIST.. THAT WILL BE MSNBC’S POSITION.
FLAGS AT HALF MAST AT ALL ACORN AND SEIU OFFICES..
bluegrass on March 3, 2010 at 10:19 AM
Good riddance. Go out the side door where the trash is, would you?
scalleywag on March 3, 2010 at 10:19 AM
+1
I’m calling my congressman, Brad ‘Wah I’m getting death threats from these crazy town hallers’ Miller to suggest the dems support any such resolution. I’m sure he’ll get right on that.
Monica on March 3, 2010 at 10:20 AM
“Leave of absence” which makes sure the door stays open for his return.
Bishop on March 3, 2010 at 10:20 AM
After watching it again, I am fairly certain he offered one of his thumbs to Speaker Pelosi.
percysunshine on March 3, 2010 at 10:21 AM
Paid administrative leave.
thomasaur on March 3, 2010 at 10:22 AM
I’m thinking the leave of absence was suggested along with the suggestion he consider retiring effective very, very soon. This way the ethics panel can drop the investigation and neither Rangel’s “reputation” nor the Dem Party’s “record” isn’t tarnished by the results. I wouldn’t be surprised if they added an offer of a Life after Congress job somewhere.
I’m guessing he’ll be gone by the late Friday dump.
Dusty on March 3, 2010 at 10:23 AM
Not a swamp but a cesspool with a damaged Pelosi turd sinking to the bottom…….
Maybe big Mac daddy will issue him a pardon.
bluegrass on March 3, 2010 at 10:23 AM
For the “good appearence” of the party, Pelosi was about to drop the hammer on this “young congressman”/dinasour. Now if we can talk old Barney Frank to take an early leave, the democrat mass exodus can begin.
Rovin on March 3, 2010 at 10:24 AM
We’re in the same district. Are you going to the Bill Randall fundraiser next week?
SouthernGent on March 3, 2010 at 10:24 AM
get out of here ya freakin corrupt aminal
blatantblue on March 3, 2010 at 10:25 AM
Time to call Jessie and Bill in for prayer I guess.
bluegrass on March 3, 2010 at 10:26 AM
Another great big steaming pile of Rangel B.S. at its absolute fecal zenith.
pilamaye on March 3, 2010 at 10:26 AM
Wonder what part the CBC played in this. I suspect they know they overplayed their hand in carrying water for him as long as they did and are trying to walk that back.
a capella on March 3, 2010 at 10:26 AM
He’s just a typical liberal politician.
The country is his piggy-bank.
Cynical, venal, corrupt, arrogant, self-serving, shameless to the bone.
notagool on March 3, 2010 at 10:27 AM
Better yet, is there anyone in his district who could seriously challenge him even after this?
No, because folks in his district don’t follow the news…
max1 on March 3, 2010 at 10:27 AM
The members of Congress have acted stupidly by forcing this man down……
Time for a beer summit at Bozo’s place..
bluegrass on March 3, 2010 at 10:28 AM
The only way justice will be served in this case is putting this crook behind bars. Don’t hold your breath though…
Wine_N_Dine on March 3, 2010 at 10:29 AM
Under James Traficant’s advice, Rangel takes “leave of absence”
Keep that transporter in good running order Scotty!
Rovin on March 3, 2010 at 10:29 AM
Too bad he wasn’t caught tapping his shoes in a rest room. A much worse offense in the eyes of Dems and the MSM, that called for an immediate resignation.
fogw on March 3, 2010 at 10:30 AM
Dear Eric Holder,
You need to have a Culture of Corruption conversation with the House Dems. Bring your handcuffs.
TN Mom on March 3, 2010 at 10:30 AM
Rangel is a master pork-bringer, his constituents couldn’t care less about his criminality as long as the cabbage keeps pouring in.
Bishop on March 3, 2010 at 10:30 AM
I have saved or created thousands of crooked politicians jobs……….
racist bastards
bluegrass on March 3, 2010 at 10:31 AM
“Leave of absence?” What a dirtbag. Even Tom Delay stepped down.
Pablo Snooze on March 3, 2010 at 10:32 AM
League of Abscess
jamie gumm on March 3, 2010 at 10:34 AM
Living here in NY and uderstanding how f*ed up the politics here are, just look at the last 2 governors and the gaping hole still there in lower Manhattan, this douche will run again and be re elected. If I could find employment elsewhere beleive me I would move in a heartbeat.
Daveyardbird on March 3, 2010 at 10:34 AM
Adam Clayton Powell IV. There are two of them though, BION, so we must figure out which one is which.
Akzed on March 3, 2010 at 10:34 AM
Justice doesn’t have to be legal justice. He’s not exactly a spring chicken.
SouthernGent on March 3, 2010 at 10:35 AM
Forgot banal.
Akzed on March 3, 2010 at 10:35 AM
So he’ll be calling in his votes from the Carribean?
Knucklehead on March 3, 2010 at 10:35 AM
OT. check out lead headlines on Drudge!
BOOM!
katy on March 3, 2010 at 10:37 AM
“Say it ain’t our fault, Charlie!” – MSM
Slowburn on March 3, 2010 at 10:37 AM
BUZZKILL!
JusDreamin on March 3, 2010 at 10:38 AM
Tax-cheat Charlie has represented Harlem for decades. I doubt there’s a 5% Republican presence there. And tax-cheat Charlie basically runs the Democratic Party there, he’ll only have a primary opponent if he wants it. If anyone does actually try to challenge him, well, they are building a new Giants Stadium, coff, Jimmy, coff, Hoffman, coff.
rbj on March 3, 2010 at 10:40 AM
I’m not getting the comparison between Rangel and Pollack at all. And anyway, isn’t dumping paint on a canvas and demanding someone buy it exactly what Pollack did?
entropent on March 3, 2010 at 10:41 AM
Hardly there is a hospital in his district, that has gotten no GOVERNMENT help. Boriken Center has been trying to raise money for sometime now they have the highest incidence of Asthma in the country and high diabetes…Remember Rangel’s heartfelt plea at the Health Care Summit? Health care needs to be available to all, and it shouldn’t matter what their ethnicity is….well the Boriken Center in Harlem is going to serve a majority of people of Hispanic ethnicity. If Charles Rangel, wanted to why couldn’t he have gotten some of the Porkulus 860 Billion Dollars, for this Hospital in his own District? They have been trying to raise money for a few years now, they need 13 million, and so far have raised 1 million…..meanwhile Charlie Rangel is winging it down to the Caribbean, so how is that taking care of the people in his district?
RANGEL and Many of the other Progressive Democrats are FRAUDS, plain and simple.
Dr Evil on March 3, 2010 at 10:43 AM
I wasn’t aware of it but I like what I’ve heard from him. I’ll check it out. Thanks
Monica on March 3, 2010 at 10:43 AM
Yeah, if he doesn’t pull a Murtha first.
No, this is a badge of honor for him.
Tony737 on March 3, 2010 at 10:43 AM
What does a Democrat have to do to get booted? You can lie under oath, cheat on your taxes, phuck an underage page (of the same sex) and keep your job.
Meanwhile, all a Republican has to do is make a comment in jest about Strom Thurmond at a BIRTHDAY PARTY and he’s essentially given the Frankenstein-chased-out-of-town-by-a-crowd-with-torches treatment.
D2Boston on March 3, 2010 at 10:44 AM
he’ll have support probably from 3 freshman Va. DEM congressman because he has contributed to their campaigns. Perriello, Nye & Connolly. the RPV is running ads about this today.
go Robert Hurt (running against Perriello in 5th CD Va)
kelley in virginia on March 3, 2010 at 10:47 AM
It seems the fickled finger of fate is the only thing that can rid us of these scumbags. Brain tumor and botched surgery as two examples.
fogw on March 3, 2010 at 10:47 AM
check out lead headlines on Drudge!
BOOM! – Katy
Oh my, how things have changed!
Tony737 on March 3, 2010 at 10:48 AM
Yeah, he always reminded me of a classic shyster used-car salesman. I can picture him walking around a lot full of junkers in a multi-colored plaid suit (with that thin moustache and slicked-back hair) telling us, “Have I got a deal for you!!!!!”
Not to disparage anyone who makes an honest living dealing in pre-owned vehicles.
UltimateBob on March 3, 2010 at 10:48 AM
OT
Drudge has this link to Breitbart on their banner.
http://www.breitbart.tv/obama-american-agenda-flashback-dems-should-not-pass-healthcare-with-a-50-plus-1-strategy
Obama speaking at various times about not wanting to pass HCR with a “50 + 1″ vote.
DrW on March 3, 2010 at 10:50 AM
Good riddance to bad trash. There will be another race pimp elected soon enough to suck the government teat dry.
DeweyWins on March 3, 2010 at 10:51 AM
So here we go again… a Congressional Investigation finds ethical violations and what does the guilty legislator do? Take a paid vacation! Isn’t that what go him into trouble?
Only in Congress could a finding of guilt yield someone taking a paid vacation from work.
IntheNet on March 3, 2010 at 10:52 AM
Rangel’s voters would have fit well on the OJ jury.
SKYFOX on March 3, 2010 at 10:54 AM
They are going to have to wRangel that gavel from his cold dead hands.
Elizabetty on March 3, 2010 at 10:55 AM
’bout time!
SEE YA, YOU RACIST, LYING BASTAGE!!!
RedNewEnglander on March 3, 2010 at 10:55 AM
Gravel drops the gavel.
JiangxiDad on March 3, 2010 at 10:56 AM
Mr. Rangel, thank you for your service during the Korean War, now please enjoy your well deserved retirement … PLEASE.
Tony737 on March 3, 2010 at 10:57 AM
There is a machine in place in New York just ask Harold Ford Jr., and David Patterson…. the Democrat machine in New York isn’t going to allow an insurgent to run. If someone does take Charles Rangel’s place ,it will have to be after “Whoever” that is, kisses Cuomo’s ring.
Dr Evil on March 3, 2010 at 10:57 AM
Well, it’s more of a local Raleigh thing, specifically northern Wake County. Not sure if you’re in the area.
SouthernGent on March 3, 2010 at 10:59 AM
les langues des hommes sont remplies de duperie
mojo on March 3, 2010 at 11:00 AM
Mary Jo Kopechne was unavailable for comment
Wade on March 3, 2010 at 11:00 AM
New YorkersHarlem Residents in his district would vote for him even if he was on death row.Vashta.Nerada on March 3, 2010 at 10:15 AM
FIFY
barnone on March 3, 2010 at 11:00 AM
FIFY
That “Baby Ruth” won’t sink until the gavel is pried from her slimy wretched hands.
JohnnyD on March 3, 2010 at 11:01 AM
The lies and deceptions from the demonrats just never stop, do they?
volsense on March 3, 2010 at 11:02 AM
So far, one member of the Congressional Black Caucus has clled for Rangel to step down.
Now I know they’re all convinced I’m a racist without having ever met me. But if they’ll just get together and look in the mirror, they’ll see why a really big percentage of Americans no longer give a **** about being called a racist.
Doorgunner on March 3, 2010 at 11:04 AM
Does he mean just from his committee chairmanships or from being a Rep? If he doesn’t vote on bills before the House than he isn’t representing his district. Do the voters of his district have any means of recourse?
journeyintothewhirlwind on March 3, 2010 at 11:04 AM
What an honorable and self-sacrificing thing to do, Charlie….a paid leave of absence, I presume… Maybe, you’re hoping by the time you get back, they will have forgotten about your corruption….which is right….By the way, Pelosi makes you look like a saint…
theaddora on March 3, 2010 at 11:04 AM
Is this the Milton’s thing? It’s suddenly ringing a bell. I’m in Raleigh near downtown.
Monica on March 3, 2010 at 11:08 AM
“Choose from among you, men that are wise and respected and I will put them in positions of authority over you….”
Moses to Joshua in Deuteronomy–
There is someone in his district. That person needs to stand up or be selected.
ted c on March 3, 2010 at 11:08 AM
Marion Berry pretty much stood at the podium with a crack pipe in one hand and his booty call in the other and enjoyed continued success……why not Rangel……
….after all,these are democrats….this is who they are and what they do.
Check out the standards the liberal Pelosi has for everybody but her own party:
http://www.breitbart.tv/pelosis-ethical-double-standard-delay-vs-rangel/
“Yes We Can!!!!”
Baxter Greene on March 3, 2010 at 11:08 AM
After about two or three thousand times, the epithet loses it’s sting and the very word has no meaning anymore.
SKYFOX on March 3, 2010 at 11:09 AM
Just a leave of absence from his chair of Ways and Means?
Does he still sit on the committee but just does not head it?
In other words no change, just a fake out.
albill on March 3, 2010 at 11:10 AM
No, I got an invite from the Northern Wake Republican Club. Anyways, I don’t wanna get in trouble for hijacking the thread since I’m already on thin ice. If you want to contribute to him just click on my name. :-)
SouthernGent on March 3, 2010 at 11:12 AM
Dhimmicrats:
The only party in the US to make decisions on what looks bad for their own politicians instead of what is best for the people who elected them. Always looking out for their own ass and for making a buck off someone else’s back, Dhimmicrats have voted since 1932 to take money from workers and give it to folks who don’t work for it. And since 1980, they have always voted to appease our country’s enemies, and weaken our National Defense. ALWAYS. The only party guaranteed to lose the next war for America by retreating in the face of danger.
Subsunk
Subsunk on March 3, 2010 at 11:16 AM
The face of politics today
entagor on March 3, 2010 at 11:16 AM
Yeah, but Delay didn’t do anything wrong. Neither did Trent Lott or Newt.
Sporty1946 on March 3, 2010 at 11:22 AM
And why doesn’t Pelosi get a admonition for not doing something about this slug as soon as he was admonished? It’s a abomination!
scalleywag on March 3, 2010 at 11:26 AM
Note that he said he didn’t want his colleagues to have to defend him during the campaign. If somehow the Dems can keep control of the House, watch him end his “leave of absence” and reclaim the chairmanship.
The Monster on March 3, 2010 at 11:27 AM
I’d like for him to hang around until November, personally.
“Hey Pelosi; how’s that Rangeltross around your neck smelling today?”
Midas on March 3, 2010 at 11:31 AM
Freakin’ Snake in the Grass…
CynicalOptimist on March 3, 2010 at 11:33 AM
Sorry, but a temporary leave of absence is not good enough. Republican should still continue to bring forward the resolution stripping him of the chairmanship.
Enoxo on March 3, 2010 at 11:33 AM
“Walking Around Money” (known as bribery in the white community) goes a long way in Harlem. No chance of unseating this fool. At least temporarily we no longer have a tax cheat responsible for tax code.
fleiter on March 3, 2010 at 11:35 AM
Good luck with that. I’ll bet if you polled a lot of his constituents, they believe Bush dynamited the levees during Hurricane Katrina, and former Mayor Marion Barry was innocent and the bitch set him up.
Phil-351 on March 3, 2010 at 11:47 AM
Big deal, he took leave of his senses years ago.
johnsteele on March 3, 2010 at 11:49 AM
Maybe Rangel can go to Florida and go into business with Mark Foley!!
VIDEO: Ex-Congressman Mark Foley opens consignment shop
“Here he comes Elizabeth”!!
Bicyea on March 3, 2010 at 11:49 AM
From what Rangel says in that press statement, it appears that he is not taking a “leave of absence” from the House. Nor does it appear that he is taking a “leave of absence” from his committee. Even without the title of chair, doesn’t he still have a lot of power on that committee?
Until his charges of ethics violations are resolved, shouldn’t Rangel be a nonentity in Congress?
onlineanalyst on March 3, 2010 at 11:58 AM
Good luck with that. Rangel’s only taking a “leave of absence” from giving interviews. The last thing in the world the Democrats want is for him to miss a vote.
logis on March 3, 2010 at 12:02 PM
Time for him to leave the house and go to the big house!
Buckeye Babe on March 3, 2010 at 12:02 PM
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