Charlie Rangel, under investigation by a House Ethics Committee, is not resigning because “it wouldn’t be the American thing to do,” he said. “I think I owe it to the process to find out first what the investigative committee finds out.” Most (though not all) Democrats are standing by Rangel: “When he walks into a room, you know he’s the guy, he’s just the guy, and that’s what Charlie is to our delegation,” said Representative Jose Serrano of the Bronx. “You go to him and you say ‘Charlie, I’m having a problem with this thing,’ and he’ll always have time to talk to you. He’ll say ‘Did you try this?’ And then he’ll have five other ways you might try to get it done.’”
Republicans, however, “are making a push to tie Rangel’s troubles with an upcoming ethics committee report” on the sexual-harassment allegations against former Representative and noted snorkeler Eric Massa, Politico reports. “The idea is to build a ‘culture of corruption’ narrative against Democrats,” to be discussed in upcoming mailers, ads, and candidate talking points. But when asked if his ethics charges could, thus, hurt Democrats as a whole, Rangel shrugged and said, “Pain is pain.”
’It’s a House of pain for Democrats as Rep. Charles Rangel vows to stay put and beat ethics rap’ [NYDN]
’GOP exploits Rangel corruption case’ [Politico]
