Charles Rangel seeking last-minute deal to settle ethics charges

vfpreacher · 07-27-2010, 12:55 PM

WASHINGTON - Rep. Charles Rangel bargained with Democratic party leaders Tuesday on a possible last-minute deal to settle ethics charges against him - and save the Harlem seat he's held for nearly 40 years.

"Everyone would like this to go away,"

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) said of the closed-door talks on whether Rangel will accept a wrist-slap deal to avoid an "adjudicatory process" similar to a trial before the House ethics committee.

"I hope it's true," said an influential congressional Democrat who, like all his colleagues, is anxious to spare the party an embarrassing public spectacle that Republicans will exploit in the November mid-term elections.

Rangel plunged into talks with Ethics Committee chairwoman Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.) Monday night after returning to Washington from New York, where he spent the weekend campaigning for reelection.

Unless Rangel and the Dem leadership can work out an agreement, the committee will read out the lengthy list of charges against Rangel on Thursday.

A trial phase would begin Sept. 13, the day before the primary elections in New York.

Poncherello · 07-27-2010, 12:57 PM

It's time for Charlie to step down and move on into the sunset.

Texdentist · 07-27-2010, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poncherello

It's time for Charlie to step down and move on into the sunset.

You are correct, sir, but the Dems are desperate to prevent an open trial 4 months before elections. My guess is he will admit to some minor errors, get a reprimand and get the books closed on it. If the Pubs did this, the media would be all over them. When the Dems do it, it will get a couple of days of back page coverage and the hope that centrist voters will not notice.

ChasC5 · 07-27-2010, 01:10 PM

Just one more Politician who dirt has finally come out into the open.

99% more to go.

vfpreacher · 07-27-2010, 01:13 PM

Hey -hey ! We finally agree on something !

Poncherello · 07-27-2010, 01:19 PM

Maybe it's the chairmanship of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee that causes such a qucik fall from grace. Afterall, Reps. Dan Rostenkowski, D-IL and Wilbur Mills, D-AK waited years to rise to the top only to throw it all away on similiar ethics violations.

Exotix · 07-27-2010, 01:23 PM

Being that the Ethics Committee is probably the most secretive that exists within govt. ... I'd be as to curious as to what kind of deal(s) are being worked out ...

toesuf94 · 07-27-2010, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Exotix

Being that the Ethics Committee is probably the most secretive that exists within govt. ... I'd be as to curious as to what kind of deal(s) are being worked out ...

He will have to switch parties to Republican and THEN they will try him in front of the ethics panel with the (R) after his name, so that they can say they took him down as a Republican and that it is the Democrats that are looking out for John Q. Public, not the evil "Republicans" like Charles.

Exotix · 07-27-2010, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toesuf94

He will have to switch parties to Republican and THEN they will try him in front of the ethics panel with the (R) after his name, so that they can say they took him down as a Republican and that it is the Democrats that are looking out for John Q. Public, not the evil "Republicans" like Charles.

Well anyone who has switched partys has gone down in flames ... so that'd be cruel ...

vfpreacher · 07-27-2010, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Exotix

Being that the Ethics Committee is probably the most secretive that exists within govt. ... I'd be as to curious as to what kind of deal(s) are being worked out ...

Quote:

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) said of the closed-door talks on whether Rangel will accept a wrist-slap deal to avoid an "adjudicatory process" similar to a trial before the House ethics committee.

Texdentist · 07-27-2010, 01:51 PM

There are only two cities that get more excited than New York City about electing crooks to public office: Washington DC (See: Marion Barry), and Chicago (See:......well, duh!)

Exotix · 07-27-2010, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Texdentist

There are only two cities that get more excited than New York City about electing crooks to public office: Washington DC (See: Marion Barry), and Chicago (See:......well, duh!)

C'mon Tex ... Chicago & NYC have been the bastion of crooked politics since prohibition ... heck, I think Bugsy would be proud of *what goes on in Vegas stays in ... *

Texdentist · 07-27-2010, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Exotix

C'mon Tex ... Chicago & NYC have been the bastion of crooked politics since prohibition ... heck, I think Bugsy would be proud of *what goes on in Vegas stays in ... *

True, but DC passed them when they continued to reelect a coke using, bribe taking mayor. People who want to live in a city run by that kind of person deserve what they get - one big ghetto.

Exotix · 07-27-2010, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Texdentist

True, but DC passed them when they continued to reelect a coke using, bribe taking mayor. People who want to live in a city run by that kind of person deserve what they get - one big ghetto.

Wow, harsh ... are you gonna feel any better when the Blago verdict comes in ?

Texdentist · 07-27-2010, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Exotix

Wow, harsh ... are you gonna feel any better when the Blago verdict comes in ?

Let's put it this way. When Blago goes to prison and runs for mayor from prison and gets elected.....Chicago will pass DC for corruption of leaders and insanity of voters.