LITTLE ROCK — Politico reported Monday that House Democratic leaders are pushing U.S. Representative Charles Rangel of New York to negotiate a deal over broad ethics charges against him so everybody can avoid a public trial. We’re wondering, who is served by that?
It serves House Democrats, who would avoid the embarrassment of trying one of their most prominent members . . . as the November election approaches.
It might even serve Rangel if the Democrats are so desperate to bury his problems that they’ll cut a deal that saves his job.
It won’t serve Rangel’s constituents, or the rest of this country. Not at all.
The House ethics committee has been slogging through the Rangel investigation for two years. For much of that time, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi coddled him, resisting demands that he step aside as chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee. Finally that became too great an embarrassment. As Republicans pushed for his ouster, Rangel took a leave of absence earlier this year.
If Rangel and the ethics committee don’t reach a deal by today, there will be a full airing of the evidence backing the charges against him. That’s exactly what needs to happen.
A full and open accounting. Anything less-any deal-will invite suspicion.
Poor Charlie. A few more weeks of delay and he would slip past a September 14th Democratic primary in his district. Not that he has a lot to worry about: He’s in a district drawn for him and his primary opponents have found that few people are willing to help bankroll a challenge to the lion of Harlem.
Rangel reportedly doesn’t want to accept a settlement that forces him to retire. He wants a tap on the wrist.
“I don’t have any fear at all, politically or personally, what they come up with,” Rangel said recently.
Fine. Bring on the House trial.
Editorial, Pages 14 on 07/29/2010