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Compare and contrast with the treatment of Newt Gingrich. He was sanctioned for an alleged IRS violation which, ultimately, was reversed by a tax court. (This was the issue of use of tax deductible contributions for a course on conservative principles - which Democrats thought was too partisan for tax exempt status.)

So, he did nothing wrong and ultimately 100% (something like 93 of 94 ethics charges, plus the charge he settled on which was later vindicated by the tax court ruling) of the charges the Democrats had wallpapered him with, were rejected. I don’t think Newt got the fine that he paid returned to him. I don’t think that the Ethics committee ever corrected the record and published an errata sheet when the tax court ruling came down several years after Gingrich left Congress.

Just think for a moment about the media treatment of Gingrich and the rather benign handling of Rangel’s case.

There was more to it than just an IRS violation -- they hit him with offering an 800-number on the Floor during his SO speeches (for his "To Renew America" tapes, this was not kosher to do) and also for allowing a member of his campaign staff to do work for his Congressional office, or vice versa, I don't recall that specifically -- Joe somebody, I think it may have been Gannon, it's been a long time.

The thing is, they were LOOKING to nail him for anything and they blew it so out of proportion that people STILL think he did some illegal.