Defiant Rangel vows to fight
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/07/30/art.gi.file.rangel.jpg caption ="House ethics committee investigators have recommended that Rep. Charlie Rangel be reprimanded."]Washington (CNN) – Embattled Rep. Charlie Rangel remained defiant Thursday, vowing to fight charges brought by the House ethics committee and dismissing President Obama's comments about the veteran House member retiring with dignity.
"I don't know why the president of these great United States would say something like that, I guess he believes eighty is old," Rangel told reporters after delivering a speech at Columbia University.
Obama suggested last week that the New York Democrat was at the end of his career.
"I think Charlie Rangel served a very long time and served- his constituents very well. But these allegations are very troubling," Obama said in an interview with CBS News' Harry Smith. "He's somebody who's at the end of his career. Eighty years old. I'm sure that what he wants is to be able to end his career with dignity. And my hope is that it happens," Obama added.
Asked if he was considering resigning, something ten of his fellow Democrats have urged him to do, Rangel said that he has a right to be heard.
"Charges that are false have been made, and in America I just always thought that unless they readjust the accusations, that a person is entitled to be heard, and really heard by their peers," Rangel said.
"If you want to give me a deal, give me a deal based on the facts, but don't give me a deal based on what makes you feel comfortable," he added.
Rangel is not the only House Democrat facing charges from the House ethics committee. His colleague Rep. Maxine Waters of California announced earlier this week she has chosen to face a House ethics trial rather than accept a finding of wrongdoing by the House ethics committee.
"I don't think of her much at this point in time," Rangel said. "I have enough of my own problems."
Last Thursday the House ethics committee accused Rep. Charles Rangel of 13 violations of House rules involving alleged financial wrongdoing and harming the credibility of Congress.
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Please don't let this knucklehead retire, I want him on trial right up to the November elections. In fact, maybe we could have Chucky and Maxine on trial at the same time. They should film the trial and use it for upcoming episodes of "The Biggest Losers".
HA! This is going to be great. Bye bye Dems.
80 is old Rangel – better to go out smiling than crying.
No Representative Rangel, It is not that you are eighty. It is what you have done in the last twenty of those eighty years.
For the good of the party that has been so good to you, resign.
This is exactly the reason we need term limits.....If it's good enough for the White House it's good enough for Congress!!!
I hope if he is found guilty he does not get any pension from the taxpayers. If found guilty it is liken to embezzeling and certainly in corporate American we would not reward an employee with a pension for stealing from us.
I get the sense that he is one of many.
Very sad.
PPLLEEEAAASSEEE Charlie Fight! Why don't you find a way to blame Bush? Isn't that the popular thing Democrats have done the last two years? Go Charlie Go! Oh! don't forget to the play the race card to!
When a defiant Politian vows to fight, that usually marks the beginning of the end.
Rangel is a sad joke. If he was a conservative he would be long gone. He should be but the demos cover their own.
It's no surprise that Rangel is going to fight the fight to the death...which is where it will lead, since he is clearly guilty of all the ethics charges and probably more. This scoundrel demeans the liberal cause and illustrates his one and only passion, which is to glorify himself forever in Harlem, no matter what the cost to his constituents or to the needs of the nation. He is a self absorbed egomaniac who should be swept out of town on a very large broom. Mr. Rangel, you are a disgrace to this august body and you shame good liberal voters like myself. I am very grateful that you do not represent my district.
Oh good. I like the timing and I like the broad coverage! Fight this thing Rep. Rangle with everything you got! Keep it front and center!
It would take a big pile of Republican campaign money to make the Democrats look as awful as this fight is going to, and not a minute too soon!
When the President's got your back, why not stay and fight.
He needs to retire. He has done his time. He was caught doing wrong. GO AWAY!
Rep Rangel is no more corrupt than 90% of the Democrats in Congress. Why should he be singled out? In Nancy Pelosi's swamp corruption is considered to be Mother's Milk!!! Eveybody partakes!!! Its amazing though at how fast and how Rev Wright, Ms Sherrod, Rep Rangel. Obama is getting really fast at it!!!!
Thank you for your service Mr. Rangle, but it time for you to go. You gave into the Washington machine and you have become part of the problem. Go out gracefully and put your resignation. Please do not continue to embarrass the Democratic Party.
Sincerely,
Dawn T. Life long Democrat
Reprimand is not enough.
Rangel should be thoroughly investigated and have a trial.
If he has criminality in his last 40 years, the man should be
expelled immediately.
There is No Room on the Senate for a man who has not paid
his Income Tax, has not reported all of his earnings, and has
used Federal Funds to raise money.
This country also does not need a 40 year Government official.
Rangel should have resigned long ago.
You should resign and save the country money.
Once a crook always crook.
Go ahead, Charlie. Keep fighting. Keep making a fool out of yourself. Your time in DC is drawing to a close and everybody knows it. Everybody except you, apparently.
Republicans just got another Christmas
November 2,2010
Thanks Chuck!
Yes Charlie, you have a right to be heard and I think you should. The demorats are afraid of you telling things but they should be more afraid of that idiot maxine waters, she is as dumb as a sack of hammers and will show what most demorats are like. Charlie
Rangel on the other hand served honorably in Korea and I salute him but not his politics.
Go away, scumbag.
hopefully, this piece of bath scum with go away...............what a waste of DNA
You're a CROOK Charlie Rangle.....you know it and we know it so pack your bags and leave.
I see the new trend in DC. Too many people that have tax or other legal issues. Or honesty issues.
This man needs to step down. After that, may he have his day in court concerning tax law violations.
Oh yeah, I forgot that no one in DC ends up in court for tax reasons....
Transparency and change we can count on *cough*
Looks like Charlie is gonna come out swinging-this could get interesting. Wonder how many politicians from both parties spent a weekend or two down at his "love shack"–maybe now we will see the guest list!!