Pelosi defends Rangel

Posted: Tuesday, December 09, 2008 4:49 PM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: Democrats

From NBC's David Gelles
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told NBC's Meredith Vieira in an interview taped Monday that Rep. Charles Rangel should not step down as chairman of the Ways and Means Committee.

Pelosi said she didn't see "any reason" that Rangel should step down.

Tuesday, the House ethics committee said it's now expanding its investigation of Rangel.

Pelosi said it's up to the ethics committee to decide if Rangel should surrender his chairmanship.

"Until they make their decision, which I hope will be soon-- I think that he should stay as chair of the committee," Pelosi said.

Pelosi added, "Mr. Rangel, he loves our country. He loves this Congress. He wants to do nothing but bring credit to it. And he'll be the first one to know what his course of action should be."

The expanded ethics committee will investigate Rangel's role in preserving a tax loophole that benefited a company whose executive had pledged $1 million to a center named after Rangel.

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Comments

Innocent until PROVEN guilty. Rangel is innocent until proven guilty of any wrong doing. If he is found guilty than, yes, he should step down from the committe chair.

eagle1776 (Sent Tuesday, December 09, 2008 4:57 PM)

Nancy Pelosi doesn't "see" it. Well, there you go. That's good enough for me. Her skill at not seeing is legendary. For example, she didn't see a case for impeachment against George W. Bush, either. This woman has such incredible unvision that they ought to nickname her "Ostrich."

Ostriches lay mighty big eggs, don't they?

Anna Molly (Sent Tuesday, December 09, 2008 5:01 PM)

Rangel has always been a crook and has always practiced reverse racism. What goes around comes around ,he should leave now!! While the door is hitting him in his big butt I hope he has Nancy Pelosi by the hand and takes her with him!!!

Igy (Sent Tuesday, December 09, 2008 5:20 PM)

I live in Harlem and even I know the man is corrupt. He should've been gone years ago. The fact that Dems don't have the guts to kick him to side means they're no better than the GOP

James, Harlem, NYC (Sent Tuesday, December 09, 2008 5:23 PM)

Whether Rangel or any other member of Congress, love of country, love of Congress, love of those they represent is not enough. Members of Congress must express that so-called love by way of good and honest works. They must exhibit positive and honest and ethical behaviors.

Gee, would we have any members of Congress left?

I don't know about you people but I for one am tired of hearing these lame defense statements from Republicans or Democrats (depending on what Congress person is being investigated) that because they love their country they are above reproach. I don't care who you are. You break the law or violate the people's trust your a-- should be thrown out of Congress.

If Rangel is found guilty he needs to go. If any Republican or Democrat is found guilty of such violations or of violating the public trust they need to go. Period! I don't care how much they love their country.

C A, Tuscaloosa, AL (Sent Tuesday, December 09, 2008 5:29 PM)

No if he is found guilty he should be booted out of the house of representives. No crook should be allowed to hold an office in Congress.

Tara Butler (Sent Tuesday, December 09, 2008 5:35 PM)

Isn't it interesting how corruption charges against Democrats are treated with so much "compassion" than when Republicans are the subject. Pelosi is a hypocrite.

ron holdaway, salt lake city (Sent Tuesday, December 09, 2008 5:49 PM)

"Note to Richard, Washington State -- OH PUL-LEEZE, any fool can RUN in an election (witness: Sarah Palin), so that's not even a serious suggestion."

Indie Woman (from somewhere, I forget).

Uh, Indie Woman:

For once you're right. It wasn't a serious suggestion. I'll try to make my sarcasm more obvious for you the next time.

Richard, Washington State (Sent Tuesday, December 09, 2008 5:51 PM)

Mr. Rangel's incompetence in his personal financial dealings is not relevant, even though similar incompetence got Ted Stevens convicted.

I'm sure Mr. Rangel's incompetence is as innocent as Mr. Steven's.

Richard, Washington State (Sent Tuesday, December 09, 2008 6:02 PM)

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