Posted on 11/15/2010 1:47:44 PM PST by Sub-Driver
Rangel: 'I have no real chance of fighting back' By Jordan Fabian - 11/15/10 03:51 PM ET
Embattled Rep. Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.) struck a defeated tone Monday, hours after he walked out of his own ethics trial.
Rangel reiterated his claim that his due process rights had been violated over his lack of legal representation at the trial that began Monday morning.
"I hope that my colleagues in Congress, friends, constituents and anyone paying attention will consider my statement and how the committee has been unfair to me," he said in a prepared statement. "They can do what they will with me because they have the power and I have no real chance of fighting back."
The longtime lawmaker made waves when he threatened to leave the hearing after tussling with ethics committee chairwoman Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.) over the absence of his legal representation.
Rangel's attorneys parted ways with him in October, and the congressman said he could not afford to hire new representation after spending almost $2 million in legal fees over the past two years.
The adjudicatory subcommittee is meeting behind closed doors Monday afternoon to determine if Rangel committed the 13 counts of House ethics violations that are alleged against him.
If he is found guilty of the violations, he could face a full House vote on his expulsion or a lesser punishment. Rangel said he is now looking past the trial.
"Now, I am going forward — not backwards — to do the job I was elected to do. That is to serve my district and to serve my country, as I have tried to do for the past 50 years," he said. "In the end, I hope that I would be judged by my entire record that determines that I have been a credit to the House and to my family, friend and supporters who have entrusted me with this honorable duty."
That’s because the arrogant demigod is guilty, guilty and guilty.
“all he needs to do is resign from the House, so that the committee will no longer have jurisdiction over him”
That idea would also work, but I’d put that as my number three choice. My number two choice is, he’s found guilty, stripped of everything, and expelled. My number one is, he dies during the trial, preferably by his own hand.
I agree we should help Rangel delay until next year when the new republican majority takes office, then we can insure not only a conviction but an expulsion.
I honestly think that is why liberals won’t give their friend Rangel more time, they don’t want a Republican controlled House to decide his fate.
lol
He might as well. At this point he’s just another piece of dirty worn out furniture.
Don't forget that Rangel holds the ultimate trump card in this whole thing. When and if he resigns from the House, the ethics investigation is over, and it would be hard to see him being prosecuted on criminal charges, given his age and his popularity in his district.
Poor Chuckie. He’s got such a raw deal.
/sarc
Can we as American Citizens file a lawsuit and press charges of taxpayer fraud against this thief? He belongs in JAIL for crying out loud! The only reason they won’t is because of his color? Common’ I m sick of the race card crap! He BROKE THE LAW and should be treated like ANYBODY else. Oh, oh I forgot! There are 2 standards of the law...those for the little guy and then those for the elitist, DEMOCRATS who lie, cheat AND steal their way up the ladder of POLITICAL HEIRCHY! Man, am I sick of it - I hope when they go to redistrict NY that they take Harlem and split it up so bad, he couldn’t get anybody to vote him back in in 2012.
Rangel’s doing his “victim act“........old reliable for hyphenates in hot water.
Go to jail, Charlie. Go directly to jail. Do not pass “Go.” Do not collect $2,000,000.
Another article here:
Rangel ethics case in hands of jury of lawmakers
There's a few interesting paragraphs in it:
Vermont Democratic Rep. Peter Welch said that no law firm should be "taking the money ... and kicking their client by the side of the road."
Rangel's former law firm of Zuckerman Spaeder disputed his assertion that he was abandoned.
"This law firm did not seek to terminate the relationship and explored every alternative to remain as his counsel consistent with House ethics rules prohibiting members from accepting pro bono legal services," the firm said. "Out of respect for Congressman Rangel and the House ethics committee, we will not comment further at this time."
Its equally unlikely that the same district would would elect a republic in his place, and almost as unlikely that the democrats would bother convicting one of their own.
It is unfortunate that this trial must follow rather then precede an election.
Still if he is to be tried at all I’d like to wait and have him tried by republicans rather then his democrat friends.
I think if he was going to resign rather then hold on to power till the very end he would have done it already before the election.
Thanks for the ping!
If he would resign from the House..then what? And at 80 years old how long could he keep this show moving if he doesn’t resign?
tear jerker. zzzzzzzzz.
My defense is that I did it.
Maybe, but it sounds optimistic. If the Demwits actually clear his ass or give him a slap on the wrist, what does it cost them, really? And this is the easy one — Maxine Waters is next, right?
the Weekly Standard’s Bill Kristol said on “Fox News Sunday” when asked what Republicans should do about Rangel...The idea that republicans should go around throwing stones at Charlie Rangel is just foolish on their part.”
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