Congressional Republicans are again demanding that Congressman Charles Rangel step down as chairman of the House tax writing committee, saying his ethics problems make him the poster boy for institutional arrogance. Democratic support for embattled Rangel will get another test this week. Republicans will introduce a resolution calling for the Harlem Democrat to step down as chairman of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee until ethics probes – which keep on growing – are complete.”These are all violations of the rules of the House,” Rep. John Carter (R-Texas) told CBS 2 HD. “Some of them seem to be violations of the rules of the IRS and I don’t think the top tax guy ought to be having those kinds of problems.”
Carter, author of the “dump Rangel” resolution, said keeping Rangel in his position will be a headache for Democrats and will infuriate voters in next year’s midterm elections.
“They don’t think that it’s fair. They think there’s special treatment being given to Mr. Rangel because of his position,” Carter said.
CBS 2 HD tried to talk to Congressman Rangel about the resolution, but he did his best to bob, weave and duck at a public press conference he attended. But CBS 2 HD was persistent, both before the event …
“I’m disappointed in the Congress because everyone’s entitled to a full hearing and they’re not giving me that,” Rangel said.
… And after when CBS 2 had to run a block after he had his car moved in an attempt to make a getaway through a back exit.
When asked how he feels about Congressman Carter’s move to have Rangel step aside from Ways and Means, the Harlem Democrat said, “I’m disappointed in him.”
During the event Rangel service notice he didn’t want any embarrassing questions about the growing ethics storm around him.
“I would hate to see anyone attempt to mar this with questions that are not directly related to this exciting event,” Rangel said.
And here’s a new twist. Highly placed Democratic sources told CBS 2 HD they have discussed the possibility of using one damaged New York politician to get rid of another.
It centers on having Rangel resign, and giving Gov. David Paterson a dignified way to leave Albany by running for Rangel’s congressional seat.
{CBS2 HD/Noam Amdurski-Matzav.com Newscenter}
