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RANGEL: “I don’t have any fear at all, politically or personally, of what they come up with...” (WCBS)
New York Democratic Rep. Charlie Rangel is facing the Congressional equivalent of an indictment after a two-year investigation into allegations of ethics violations.
As Republicans prepare to pounce on Democrats’ handling of the investigation, analysts are debating what it all means for the man who’s spent almost half his life in Congress.
We’re analyzing coverage from WCBS, New York 1, WNYW, Fox News and MSNBC.
First, New York 1 explains the allegations, noting Rangel’s attorney had tried to negotiate a settlement with the House Ethics Committee, but couldn’t reach full agreement.
“Sources tell the Associated Press the violations stem from his four rent-stabilized apartments in the city, his failure to report income from his rental unit in the Dominican Republic, and his use of official stationary to raise money for a school at City College that bears his name.”
Rangel will face an 8-member panel composed of four Democrats and four Republicans. On WNYW, a political analyst suggests the timing is particularly interesting for Democrats who face re-election in November’s midterm elections.
“It’s very interesting the timing on this. I mean, these charges go back to 2008, and yet these come now as the House is going into recess for the summer, right before they’ll come back and address these a little bit before the September 14 primary in New York. ... It’s not good timing for the Democrats, and certainly not for Nancy Pelosi, whose known to be very close to Rangel, and will she feel pressure after the Republicans use this from Democrats in tight races across the country to ask him to step down?”
Fox News reports the investigation has been a long time coming.
“Rangel asked the House Ethics Committee to look into allegations against him in July 2008. The Committee opened a formal investigation in September 2008, and now in July 2010, we may get our first look at what they found out.”
Finally, a panelist on MSNBC’s Morning Joe reiterates the seriousness of the charges, but says corruption isn’t limited to the embattled New York Democrat.
“It’s very important for reporters to be humbled and back off a little. ... Charlie Rangel has clearly been charged with something that’s very serious. ... Not the sideshow, but as I said the larger institutional corruption in which the city of Washington and former members of Congress are awash, as Mark Whitacker pointed out earlier this morning, in a sea of money. ... It’s about a kingly or queenly attitude about being a member of Congress.”
In a press conference Friday, Rangel said he’s looking forward to a public House Ethics Committee meeting next week for a chance to clear his name.
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WRITER: Newsy Staff
PRODUCER: Newsy Staff
