Posted on 03/03/2010 8:48:29 AM PST by jessduntno
California Rep. Pete Stark — a controversial lawmaker who has a history of volatile comments about Republicans — is now chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, automatically moving up from the second slot after New York Democrat Charles Rangel relinquished his gavel Wednesday morning.
It would take an affirmative action of the House to remove Stark and replace him with another member of the Ways and Means Committee, according to aides familiar with House operations.
Stark, one of the chamber's most liberal, partisan and pugnacious members, has had his own recent run-in with the ethics committee, exhibiting bizarre behavior during an investigation that ultimately cleared him of any wrongdoing.
POLITICO reported earlier this week that officials found Stark was "extremely belligerent" toward investigators from the Office of Congressional Ethics and used a semi-hidden video camera to tape his interview during a probe of whether he improperly applied for a homestead tax exemption in Maryland even though his official residence is in California.
The incident is just one in a series of stranger-than-fiction episodes featuring the tart-tongued Stark.
He once accused one former Republican Ways and Means colleague, Nancy Johnson of Connecticut, of getting her information from "pillow talk," and called another, Scott McInnis of Colorado, a "fruitcake."
In 2007, he accused Republicans of sending soldiers to Iraq "to get their heads blown off for the president's amusement."
Passing over Stark, a 37-year veteran of the House, could have created a series of new headaches for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who is a fellow Californian.
Stark's ascension does make sense as chairman from a policy standpoint: The biggest item on the committee's plate right now is the president's health care overhaul, and Stark has been chairman of the panel's subcommittee on health.
“In 2007, he accused Republicans of sending soldiers to Iraq “to get their heads blown off for the president’s amusement.”
We might have been better off with Rangle...
At least he knows something about banks.
Frankly, we need to blow the whole place up and start over. As Ripley said in Alien’s, “Nuke it from orbit. It’s the only way to be sure.”
Meet new boss; same as old boss.
I thought Pete Stark was the 2nd Beatles drummer - ya know, the one after “Best” but before “Starkey”?
Oh, going moderate, are we?... /SARC
Wow, the CBC let a white guy take Rangel’s chairmanship!
He’s a crook, a liar, and an f’ing lunatic.
Yes, as shocking as it may be, Rangel was actually a BETTER chair of this committee than we are now stuck with.
I was afraid of this and was hoping Rangel could hang on. I would rather have a sticky finger Rangel than this nut.
Add... atheist, anti-Christian, anti-American, certifiably psychotic. This dude is going to make Rangel look good by comparison.
They are going to be swept out in November.....
I think this is great. Stark is the sort of nut who will have to be dragged from the chair, kicking and screaming all the way. Whether it’s to reinstate Rangel or when a Republican takes it next year.
He’s going to be a poster boy for the left wing kooks.
HE IS ALSO A TAX CHEAT
He claimed homestead exemption on his waterfront estate in Maryland, a property tax exemption clearly and specifically availble to RESIDENTS of MARYLAND
He cost the state of Maryland tens of thousands of dollars in property taxes
The upside is it will put the dems’ looniest on full public display. Politically, it’ll work out for the best.
This would be comical if it wasn’t so serious. Pete Stark (raving mad)?
Stark: the uber-progressive athiest from the Gay Area. Gag!!!!!!
Surely there’s a link somewhere to the X-rated screed he left on a constituent’s voice mail...?
Another POS douchebag.
Then again, I don’t expect any better from the RAT DEN.
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