Wrangling Rangel

Posted: Thursday, October 15, 2009 9:35 AM by firstread
Filed Under: Congress

The stress of hearings into his spotty financial disclosures is starting to show on normally cool-as-a-cucumber House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charles Rangel. Yesterday, he snapped at NBC’s Betsy Cline as she hounded him about whether the ethics investigation into his financial disclosures would affect his performance. "I wish you wouldn't do that," Rangel told Cline, brandishing a rolled up piece of paper at her face. "I know it's your job and I don't blame you, but it's so rude."

And responding to news that his former campaign director Vincent Morgan is planning a bid to take over the seat the representative has held for almost 40 years, Rangel called the challenge “serious,” adding: “If he’s been preparing, he’s done a great job at keeping it undercover, even when he was working for me.”

Rangel’s indisputably had a tough run the past few weeks, which got some wondering yesterday why he was meeting with the House chaplain off the chamber floor. Rangel insists the chaplain had come to him with a problem. The embattled representative also denied the stress from the ethics scandal has caused him to lose wait, attributing his svelte appearance to a new healthier diet.

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Comments

It's the medias duty to go after Republicans that are out of line. But when the media does it to Democrats, then somehow then it's rude.

Fair and Balanced - You Decide (Sent Thursday, October 15, 2009 9:43 AM)

FR: Rangel’s indisputably had a tough run the past few weeks, which got some wondering yesterday why he was meeting with the House chaplain off the chamber floor.

Charlie was probably hitting him up for a loan.

Sorry Charlie (Sent Thursday, October 15, 2009 9:44 AM)

Rangel needs to have the book thrown at him. PERIOD!

Juan, Ft Lauderdale,FL (Sent Thursday, October 15, 2009 9:45 AM)

Come on Dems and your Tax The Rich rhetoric! Where is the outrage? Don't give me a list of Republican tax cheats for some moral relativism to assuage your liberal guilt! Rangel is crook, plain and simple. Another do-as-I-say-not-as-I-do leftist.

You better pay the taxes Rangel and his committee promulgates or YOU will go to jail. But not Rangel or Geithner or Marc Rich.

Obey Obie Or Go To SIng-Sing- Ossining, NY (Sent Thursday, October 15, 2009 9:45 AM)

>>>> "Rangel snapped at NBC’s Betsy Cline as she hounded him about whether the ethics investigation into his financial disclosures would affect his performance. "

That's not the kind of 'performance' Betsy was talking about Charles.

Vi Agra (Sent Thursday, October 15, 2009 9:46 AM)

"The embattled representative also denied the stress from the ethics scandal has caused him to lose wait..."

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Lose "wait" and not "weight"?

Ouchie!

Pete - Albany, NY (Sent Thursday, October 15, 2009 9:46 AM)

I kind of like Rangle even though I dont agree with his politics. He is up front in what he believes and doesnt hide behind a lot of vague words. That said, he should be removed from his committee chair, at least temporarily until the investigation is complete. If he has done what he is accused of, he should be removed permanently and maybe resign his seat. We should hold all of our government (both parties) to at least the same standards that they hold us to and actually higher standards since they are supposed to be leading us.

Jim (Sent Thursday, October 15, 2009 9:48 AM)

CHARLIE RANGEL

Good for Charlie. He's lost weight due to worry. He's seeing a chaplain, then lied about it.

Rangel is lucky to be out of jail and running around this long. There has to be some kind of law in DC.
Stick Charles in the slammer for a few years. He's another member of the "dirty deeds" club.

Remember Charlie ... you get what you give.

Full Moon
Bad Moon
Monkberry Moon ... and the rest.

The Chihuahua Gang (Sent Thursday, October 15, 2009 9:50 AM)

Rangel should step down from his chairmanship temporarily until the investigation is complete. Then again, Tom DeLay and Newt Gingrich did not so why should the democrat.

I saw the clip and, in my view, Rangel didn't snap at the reporter; he was polite in his response, just pleasantly told her she was annoying. Can't say that I blame anyone for becoming annoyed when reporters follow them around.

Jody, Iowa (Sent Thursday, October 15, 2009 9:51 AM)

FR--Rangel’s indisputably had a tough run the past few weeks, which got some wondering yesterday why he was meeting with the House chaplain off the chamber floor. Rangel insists the chaplain had come to him with a problem. The embattled representative also denied the stress from the ethics scandal has caused him to lose wait, attributing his svelte appearance to a new healthier diet.
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One thing for sure-- if he loses weight it will be good for his health.

Anita, Birmingham, Alabama (Sent Thursday, October 15, 2009 9:51 AM)

To me he didn't look any different then how Larry Creig looked while he had the mic stuff in his face,Looked the same as Mark Foley looked,same as Mark Sanford looked,and John Edwards,and Elliot Spitzer,and John McCain,it isn't what they enjoy,and if Rangel is found guilty of wrong doing he deserves what he gets.There have been no charges filed,he is not under arrest,and has been doing his job everyday.The attack, Billo Style is what it is, attack and hope for a nugget you can hang there hat on.But these very same producers would act the same as Rangel did, if the mic was shoved in there face,and the questions made them feel cornered.

jesse St Paul MN (Sent Thursday, October 15, 2009 9:56 AM)

My sentiments are with Rangel and I obviously hope the investgation results are favorable. This ordeal would be highly stressful and embarassing for anyone.

FloTerk (Sent Thursday, October 15, 2009 10:30 AM)

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