While Rangel should step down, he has precedent on his side
Charlie Rangel, the embattled chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, is under pressure from Republicans to resign his leadership position until ethics allegations against him are resolved. Those allegations — many based on reporting by the New York Times — include failure to report income, failure to pay taxes on that income, and failure to fully disclose his real estate holdings.
The editorial boards of the Times, the Washington Post and the Atlanta Journal Constitution, among others, have joined in the calls for Rangel to step down while those allegations are investigated. In response, Rangel and his defenders point out that the House Ethics Committee is still conducting its investigation of the charges, and that no indictments of Rangel have been issued, all of which is true.
For those in an important leadership position, though, “not proved guilty” isn’t good enough. Public confidence in those leaders is important, and Rangel’s behavior has raised serious, justified doubt about his conduct. For that reason, I helped push for the AJC editorial last year calling for Rangel to step down, and I still think it’s the right thing to do.
However, I also think it’s important to put the current sanctimony of his Republican critics in recent historical context.
In 2004, House Majority Leader Tom DeLay was investigated repeatedly by the House Ethics Committee and rebuked or admonished three times for unethical conduct, including twice within a six-day period. The bipartisan committee grew so frustrated with DeLay’s attitude that in its written report it publicly bemoaned “the number of instances to date in which the committee has found it necessary to comment on [DeLay's] conduct.”
Yet House Republicans kept DeLay in his job.
Back in DeLay’s home state of Texas, officials were investigating charges that DeLay had broken state law by illegally diverting corporate contributions to state political campaigns. An indictment seemed inevitable, and under GOP caucus rules, that would have forced DeLay to resign. So in November 2004, the House Republican Caucus voted to abolish that rule, clearing the way for DeLay to remain as majority leader even after indictment.
A few months later, in another effort to protect DeLay, House Republicans even tried to rewrite House rules to make it almost impossible to file ethics charges against members, backing away only after immense public outrage. (That outrage also forced them to reinstate the rule requiring leaders to resign if indicted.)
Then there’s Newt Gingrich. As speaker of the House, the highest honor the House can confer, Gingrich was investigated and admonished for unethical behavior on three different occasions in 1995-96.
Yet he kept his job as speaker.
In 1997, Gingrich was reprimanded by the entire House (the vote was 395 to 28) and agreed to pay an extraordinary $300,000 fine for misleading the House in an investigation about his conduct. Even after that, Republicans allowed Gingrich to remain as speaker, a job he lost only after a disastrous showing by Republicans in the ‘98 elections.
Can you imagine the right-wing howling if anything approaching that had happened to Nancy Pelosi?
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239 comments Add your comment
USinUK
October 7th, 2009
8:03 am
I understand what you’re saying regarding precedent, but Ceasar’s wife should be above reproach. We, as Dems, fought and won the 2006 race based on Republican’s shabby dealings – now, we need to step to the fore and ask Rangel to step down if we are to be better than our colleagues across the aisle.
Scooter
October 7th, 2009
8:04 am
FIRST?
Turd Ferguson
October 7th, 2009
8:04 am
Hmmm…well if there is precedent then so be it.
On the other hand, Rangel has no interest in accomplishing anything except mucking up the works.
I Report/ Vast White Wing Conspirator (-: You Whine )-:
October 7th, 2009
8:04 am
Wow, you can apply this logic to just about anything-
Obozo, mmm, mmmm, mmmm, should protect and defend the United States of American BUT Dhimmi Carter didn’t, so what’s the big deal, eh?
jt
October 7th, 2009
8:05 am
Enter your comments here
It is imperative to get these guys involved in our personal health-care.
Scooter
October 7th, 2009
8:06 am
Dang USinUK, I guess I’ll have to try for first on the next page.
RW-(the original)
October 7th, 2009
8:08 am
Enter your comments here–
From the headline one would think this was going to be about Rangel, but we get three paragraphs patting the editorial boards on the back for saying he should probably step aside during the
whitewashinvestigation and nine paragraphs excoriating Republicans.USinUK
October 7th, 2009
8:08 am
Scooter – well, someone has to beat you to it on occasion!
Turd Ferguson
October 7th, 2009
8:10 am
Up till about 2:00 A.M and saw a new Obobo commercial. Our Campaigner in Chief, Obobo, was encouraging everyone to get out there and volunteer for this or that. This JackA S S, Obobo, needs to lead by example…perhaps he might forfiet some of his salary and volunteer his lackluster services for a few days.
What a waste!
AmVet
October 7th, 2009
8:12 am
The GOP is merely betting that the American people are as stupid and blind as are their “base”. (as in that third post at 8:04. ???)
And for the longest time they had a winning bet.
But now?
Look a the past two national elections. Consecutive annihilations. One history making.
The voters are no longer inclined to turn a blind eye to ALL of their self-serving corruption and thievery.
Despicable men and even worse “representatives”…
AmVet
October 7th, 2009
8:15 am
OK, RW.
Who do you see in the Fall Classic?
I’d like a Yanks/Cards match up, just for old school baseball.
Though the truth be told, I’d probably bet on neither…
Scooter
October 7th, 2009
8:16 am
Maybe Steele needs to tell his buddies to quit digging. They are already half way to China.
I Report/ Vast White Wing Conspirator (-: You Whine )-:
October 7th, 2009
8:16 am
The most ethical Congress in History, yay!
At least that’s what we tell our dimwit followers, mmm, mmmm, mmmm.
~~~~~
Republican victories in this fall’s races in New Jersey and Virginia will start the panic of Congressional Democrats, and President Obama’s power to dominate Washington will already be gone.-AmSpec
Let’s get ready to Rrrrrruuuuuuuuuummmmmmmmbbbbbbbllllllllleeeeeeeeee!!
RW-(the original)
October 7th, 2009
8:22 am
Enter your comments here–
AmVet,
I’ll go with an I-5 series, but it could really be anybody this year. As long as LaRussa is around I can only hope the Cardinals go three and out though.
Shawny
October 7th, 2009
8:22 am
It’s funny how they can change the rules to get what they want. Kind of like what Mass. did to prevent Romney from appointing a senator should Kerry have became president, then to change the rules again so that the existing powers could appoint a senator. nice.
Delay and Gringich should have been spanked, true. This Rangel guy is a little different, in that he is a tax cheat, time and time again, but is in charge of the House Ways and Means committee, one of the most powerful committees around that is in charge of writing tax laws. He needs to go.
AmVet
October 7th, 2009
8:23 am
Follow me to freedom! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUYBQcx8j2Y
GOP Party Identification Slips Nationwide and in Pennsylvania
Over the first four months of 2009, the Republican Party has continued to lose adherents. Interviews with over 7,000 respondents nationwide so far this year found fewer than a quarter (23%) of the combined total identifying themselves as Republicans. This is down from 25% in 2008, and from 30% in 2004. In total, the GOP has lost roughly a quarter of its base over the past five years.
http://pewresearch.org/pubs/1207/republican-party-identification-slips-nationwide-pennsylvania-specter-switch
Turd Ferguson
October 7th, 2009
8:27 am
Yeppers…The elections draw nearer everyday while Obobo sits on the toilet enjoying the smell of his own flatulence and sharing it with those of like mind.
Scooter
October 7th, 2009
8:29 am
Jay, off this topic. Thanks for the comeback yesterday on DADT. Between you and Paul, I have a much better understanding of the issue.
Van Jones
October 7th, 2009
8:30 am
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzz…
10_ac
October 7th, 2009
8:30 am
Rangel should not step down. He is doing the Republicans a great service by being a hypocrite. The question should be – how did he amass his fortune? He should be treated for early stages of alzheimers if he forgot about a $500K account.
Just follow the money.
Cherokee
October 7th, 2009
8:32 am
Ahhh ferguson, I guess with a name like that, what can we expect… you live up to our expectations
Cherokee
October 7th, 2009
8:33 am
AS to the topic at hand – USinUK is correct – after the corruption of the Delay Congress, the Dems need to do better.
Gandalf, the Wise
October 7th, 2009
8:34 am
Rangel should move to Canada!
AmVet
October 7th, 2009
8:34 am
That tie breaker last night was one for the ages (If you were a Twins fan.) Man, the Tigers sure have mastered the Fall Swoon.
I agree about TL. What a pr_ck! But I’ve been a quasi-Cards fans since listening to them (Jack Buck and Harry Carey) on AM radio growing up in Kansas.
An all SoCal contest would be kinda fun.
And both wild card teams look dangerous. A Rockies/BoSox tilt? Arghhh…
The really good stuff starts today with a triple header.
Baseball may be a religion full of magic, cosmic truth, and the fundamental ontological riddles of our time, but it’s also a job. ~Annie Savoy
TnGelding
October 7th, 2009
8:36 am
They’re having a good discussion on health care on C-NBC.
Joey
October 7th, 2009
8:37 am
Right-wing howl. Left-wing howl.
Which of these is never heard by Jay Bookman.
Jay can not hear his Brother-Left-wingers howl because he is howling with them.
stands for decibels
October 7th, 2009
8:39 am
Can you imagine the right-wing howling if anything approaching that had happened to Nancy Pelosi?
Why no. I’m sure our conservative pundits would have looked at how previous majority House leaders had been afforded due process under the law and calibrated their well-reasoned replies accordingly.
Taxpayer
October 7th, 2009
8:40 am
I have not been surprised by the actions of the Republican party for many years now. By the way, I am most sincere in my apology for having been misled into voting for these Republicans. I should have studied the candidates more closely. Anyway, I am trying to make up for that most serious mistake on my part.
danjonglee
October 7th, 2009
8:41 am
only the little people pay taxes……
bob
October 7th, 2009
8:43 am
I remember Joe Biden saying people should step up to the plate and pay more taxes. I think he said it is patriotic to pay more taxes. Charles Rangle thinks it is patriotic for others to be patriotic, another do as I say and not as I do liberal.
USinUK
October 7th, 2009
8:44 am
meanwhile … I love it when thugs get their just rewards:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/crime/6268426/Cross-dressing-cage-fighters-turn-tables-on-yobs.html
RW-(the original)
October 7th, 2009
8:44 am
Enter your comments here–
The really good stuff starts today with a triple header.
Except it’s raining in Philly and New York
Turd Ferguson
October 7th, 2009
8:47 am
Something fun…
http://autos.yahoo.com/articles/autos_content_landing_pages/1071/worst-cars-of-the-2000s/
If it were up to Obobo we would all be driving a used Pontiac Aztec while our CIC, Campaigner in Chief, drove the oppulent yet ever popular Jag X Type.
So funny to see persons driving around in a Jag X thinking they ve got something. And they have…its called SUCKERED!!!
LMAO!!
Gandalf, the Wise
October 7th, 2009
8:47 am
Joe Biden doesn’t think you need to give to charities, because he’s a demoncrat.
CFBOB
October 7th, 2009
8:48 am
Enter your comments here
CFBOB
October 7th, 2009
8:51 am
Usual Demo’s. “you guys did it too, leave our guys alone”. Bookman is good example, tells us
about Rangel, then off on Newt et al. WRONG is wrong!!
Bosch
October 7th, 2009
8:51 am
Well, Paul will be happy this morning because I hear say Rangel is a crook.
TnGelding
October 7th, 2009
8:51 am
Pelosi is killing us. I wish they would find something on her.
It’s sad about Charlie, a true American success story. He should just ride off into the sunset. It’s time.
Poor DeLay, stress fractures in his feet. I have a little more respect for him now.
Doggone/GA
October 7th, 2009
8:52 am
“WRONG is wrong!!”
You obviously have a comprehension problem.
bob
October 7th, 2009
8:53 am
Speaking of corruption, how many dem speakers resigned, Rostinkowski and Wright. Remember that the dems ran a house post office where a rep could bring in a campaign donation check for $100, buy a $1 item and pocket the change, did Rostenkowski go to jail over this or resign in disgrace. The dems also ran a bank that used taxpayer funds to let reps bounce checks, do democrats not remember things like this ? Some dems ran up over 50K in “overdrafts” knowing they did not have to worry about paying it back, is that the culture of corruption Pelosi spoke of ? Charles Rangle filed false tax returns hiding over 50K in rental income but said he did not know it was taxable, doesn’t he help write tax law ? Should we ask why dems sat Burris in the senate knowing he lied to investigators about contact with Blago ?
Litt
October 7th, 2009
8:55 am
Democrat or Republican, a pox on both thier houses!
The whole damn lot of them need to be kicked out on their cans.
The KING
October 7th, 2009
8:57 am
Burger King revamp aims at higher-priced kin
Flame chandeliers? Burger King goes for sit-down style with restaurant overhaul
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Burger-King-revamp-aims-at-apf-1739066291.html?x=0
Corruption Rules
October 7th, 2009
8:58 am
The leader of the House Ways and Means Committee is a tax cheat—great for confidence in the U.S. tax system!!! But, he’s “above reproach” as one of his aides told me on the phone, which really means he’s “above the law.” Totally disgusting.
Jones
October 7th, 2009
8:58 am
I think Bookman should step down.
jms
October 7th, 2009
9:01 am
RW nailed it with:
From the headline one would think this was going to be about Rangel, but we get three paragraphs patting the editorial boards on the back for saying he should probably step aside during the whitewash investigation and nine paragraphs excoriating Republicans.
getalife
October 7th, 2009
9:02 am
He is following Vitter and Ensign’s leadership.
Atlanta_Tiger_Fan
October 7th, 2009
9:02 am
He should go as should most of the crooks in congress, regardless of party.
Jones, I agree with you 100%. Bookman is a liberal turd.
jconservative
October 7th, 2009
9:03 am
I have always cut Rangel a little slack because of his Korean War record
(Bronze Star, Purple Star) but his actions go beyond a little slack.
Yeah, the Democrats should remove him from his chairmanship until the
investigation is over.
What the Republicans did re Delay was inexcusable & I have nothing but contempt for all who participated in that fiasco.
Bosch
October 7th, 2009
9:03 am
bob,
OH NOOOOOOSSSSS, the democrats have done wrong!
Gordon
October 7th, 2009
9:04 am
The Bookman formula:
When a Republican screws up, write something bad about the Republican and the Republican party in general.
When a Democrat screws up, write something bad about the Democrat (including if possible some self-righteous exmaple of how you agree with the decision so everyone will know you are above the political fray), point out some example in the past of a Republican doing the same thing, and end the article highlighting the hypocrisy of the Republican party.