Rep. Charles Rangel (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
NEW YORK (CBS/AP) – Rep. Charles Rangel has shot back at President Obama’s recent comment that he “end his career with dignity.”
Speaking at a candidate’s forum in Harlem Monday night, Rangel said the president hasn’t “been around long enough to determine what my dignity is.”
The embattled 80-year-old congressman said it was more likely that he would protect Obama’s dignity over the next two years.
Obama’s remark was made three weeks ago.
The former House Ways and Means Committee chairman was accused of using official stationary to raise money for a college center bearing his name; delaying tax payments on income on a rental unit in the Dominican Republic; failing to file his financial disclosure statements on time; and operating four rent-stabilized apartments in New York, including one he used as a campaign office.
The Democrat has vowed to fight the charges and is refusing to resign. He says he is focusing on his re-election to his district in Manhattan’s Harlem neighborhood.
Rangel is seeking his 20th term. The state’s primary is Sept. 14.
His rivals include Adam Clayton Powell IV. In 1970, Rangel defeated his father, the legendary Rep. Adam Clayton Powell Jr.
Rangel insisted his problems wouldn’t affect the outcome of other races.
“I refuse to believe that I’m either that important or infamous that my problems are going to interfere with any good person getting elected,” Rangel said recently, adding that he was sure his Democratic colleagues were serving their constituents well and that most were safely on their way to re-election.
(TM and © Copyright 2010 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2010 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
155 Comments
I can’t wait for the TV broadcasts of the Congressional Ethics Committee hearings on Rangel, along with the daily questions and requests for comments from the White House. It will be fun to watch Rangel and Obama resist their overinflated egos and try to remain silent.
August 24, 2010 at 10:25 am
rangels constituents would reelect him even if he were convicted and “serving” from his prison cell
August 24, 2010 at 10:20 am
Neither Rangel nor Obama have any dignity. They should BOTH resign.
August 24, 2010 at 10:19 am
Neither one, Obama or Rangel have any dignity what so ever. They are both corrupt and are liars and cheats. They are both bad for America but let me include John McCain and Mitch McConnell in that list as well.
August 24, 2010 at 10:18 am
Say why, or you lose your credibility. I’m not saying I disagree with you, but you can’t just list names…recite facts!
August 24, 2010 at 10:49 am
Please tell me what Mitch McConnell has done to be put in the same circle with Obama and Rangel. He is not a tax cheat or a liar.
August 24, 2010 at 5:16 pm
Kettle, meet pot.
August 24, 2010 at 10:16 am
Charlie is a true Patoot
August 24, 2010 at 10:14 am
Brother attacking brother; these are sad times for the democrat party. Why can’t we all just limp along?
August 24, 2010 at 10:07 am
FIRE THEM ALL IN THE FALL
August 24, 2010 at 10:04 am
Adam Clayton Powell was a crook, too. It is just part of representing that district, and expected.
August 24, 2010 at 10:04 am
He was critical of “The One”, Rangel must be a racist!!!!!
August 24, 2010 at 10:02 am
They are BOTH cut from the same cloth. The stench is overwhelming.
August 24, 2010 at 9:58 am
=========================
Obama will throw anyone and everyone under the bus. He even threw his own pastor and his grandmother under the bus during his campaigning – in order to get elected.
=========================
August 24, 2010 at 9:57 am
I don’t think that Roger Clements should serve a day longer than Charles Rangel
August 24, 2010 at 9:54 am
“delaying tax payments on income on a rental unit in the Dominican Republic” —hmmm, I guess this is what CBS calls it when a Democrat doesn’t pay taxes and only comes clean after being caught…I’m thinking it would be described a little differently if he had an R after his name.
August 24, 2010 at 9:53 am
Michel Faulkner for Congress, let’s unseat Rangel!
August 24, 2010 at 9:53 am
One slug says to another…………..
August 24, 2010 at 9:52 am
Bro vs. Bro, humm, its this driven by race?
Let’em all get thrown out of office and get jobs with CNN, MSNBC, NBC …
August 24, 2010 at 9:50 am
That’s a perfect idea. Then we won’t have to see his face because nobody watches those chanels
August 24, 2010 at 2:35 pm
to Rangell, Mccain ET AL, GO HOME, ENOUGH
August 24, 2010 at 9:48 am
DIGNITY? omg
August 24, 2010 at 9:47 am
it’s a shame that our country is being “led” be people like this who have no honor, or pride in this country. They are just there to get what they can for themselves. Remember to vote this Nov, so we can start to rebuild our country from the destruction that obama and his minions have brought upon our nation.
August 24, 2010 at 9:45 am
Two of my favorite politicians at each other’s throats. Sweet!
August 24, 2010 at 9:37 am
Rangel is just an upity welfare cat.
But he is right on Ozero
August 24, 2010 at 9:37 am
TERM LIMITS now…
August 24, 2010 at 9:31 am
That’s stationery. Seriously, it seems every article on Rangel makes the same mistake. Journalism RIP.
August 24, 2010 at 9:29 am
It is the public educational system. Students are no longer taught ANYTHING!
August 24, 2010 at 5:08 pm
Yeah, term limits. Any objections?
August 24, 2010 at 9:29 am
Obama is clearly a racist for saying anything bad about this man of color.
August 24, 2010 at 9:28 am
Notice how dirty dems NEVER resign, but vow to fight to selfishly keep their job no matter how much it hurts their own party? Contrast that to the repubs; when even a hint of a scandal, they resign in the best interest of the party and government.
August 24, 2010 at 9:23 am
Rising in response, I offer:
Vitter (wearing diapers while visiting hookers, running for re-election).
Craig (bathroom solicitation of undercover cop, served out term).
McCain (savings-and-loan money, still in Senate, running for re-election).
Which is not to condemn Republicans, but to say this a politician problem, not a Democrat problem
August 24, 2010 at 10:21 am
lol
August 24, 2010 at 9:16 am
Pingback: Charlie Rangel May Be Elgible For Dignity Czar « Moody Eye View
oh oh I hope da bruthas don’t get into a gansta drive by!!!!!!!!!
BWAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!
August 24, 2010 at 9:15 am
that was a great shot at Barry
August 24, 2010 at 9:15 am
Until the present congress took office I was not in favor of term limits. These people have treated our country as though it were their personal piggy bank. This has to stop. If term limits are the only way to stop them then so be it.
August 24, 2010 at 9:15 am
So true! We had Byrd and Thruman that were so old they were in a coma!
August 24, 2010 at 6:24 pm
Swamp trash.
August 24, 2010 at 9:12 am
Thanks, Rep. Rangel, for once again pointing out that President Obama is the least experienced person in any room he steps into.
August 24, 2010 at 9:07 am
Reminds me of that old joke where a young bull and an old bull are standing on top of a ridge, overlooking a herd of cattle. The young bull says “lets run down and get ourselves a lady.” The old bull retorts “lets walk down and get ‘em all.”
August 24, 2010 at 9:07 am
If Barry hasn’t been around long enough to know what Rangle’s “dignity” is, then how in the world can the Democrats claim he’s been around long enough to know what “health care,” “financial reform,” “stimulus,” “cap and trade,” yadda yadda yadda is??? Obviously, the truth is Barry is way over his head, can only think like someone who has spent his entire life in academia and never in the real world, has never dealt with real world issues and generated real world solutions, and has never had to take responsibility for anything he has ever said or done. I reckon that is the ideal candidate from the party of Hollywood.
August 24, 2010 at 9:05 am
What did Rangel do with Adam Clayton Powell III?
August 24, 2010 at 9:03 am
lol..I was thinking the same thing!
August 24, 2010 at 10:03 am
LOL, I thought the same thing
August 24, 2010 at 12:27 pm
what chumps
August 24, 2010 at 9:02 am
“Rangel is seeking his 20th term. The state’s primary is Sept. 14″
Enough of these career politicians, we need term limits.
August 24, 2010 at 9:00 am
If this guy actually runs again it will be interesting to see if his constituency re=elects him. If so, what does that say about his constituency?
August 24, 2010 at 10:21 am
two words…. Dan Rostenkowski….. returned to Congress by the “good people” of Chicago for years. Then he went to prison.
August 24, 2010 at 1:15 pm
Of COURSE they’ll re-elect him. He hasn’t done a DAMNED thing for Harlem, except bring in graft and corruption, but he’s the “right” color and the “right” party. The only difference between Rangel and the Candy Man is that at least the Candy Man actually delivers what he promises. Rangel’s constituents will live in the gutter and still believe he’ll make their lives better.
August 24, 2010 at 3:49 pm
TERM LIMITS……GET THESE CREEEEEPS OUT OF MY LIFE….
August 24, 2010 at 9:00 am
Seeking 20th term? Is that what our founders envisioned? May the candidate with the most moneywin?
August 24, 2010 at 8:59 am
Aren’t you GLAD you settled for the Lesser Evil?
August 24, 2010 at 8:58 am
did we???????????????????????????????????????????
August 24, 2010 at 1:35 pm
What a fitting end to a 19 term congressman. Check out the related tags above: “Rangel” “Congressman” “Corruption”
August 24, 2010 at 8:58 am
Revolt
August 24, 2010 at 8:57 am
Nobody’s been around long enough to know what his dignity is. He lost it long before anyone in power was around.
August 24, 2010 at 8:56 am
finally, something Rangel and I can agree on
August 24, 2010 at 8:53 am
I agree! I’ll take a career polititian anyday over a rank amateur like Barry.
August 24, 2010 at 12:16 pm
How many politicians, after 20 terms in office, really know what dignity is?
August 24, 2010 at 8:53 am
Zero
August 24, 2010 at 10:27 am
The arrogance of these people knows no bounds. God, give us term limits!
August 24, 2010 at 8:50 am
Its not up to God but ourselves, electing men and women of character who will NOT line their own pockets.
August 24, 2010 at 8:55 am
Yeah, good luck on that one!
August 24, 2010 at 10:43 am
amen
August 24, 2010 at 10:26 am
We have term limits. They are called elections.
August 24, 2010 at 10:50 am
No, those are infinite term extenders
August 24, 2010 at 2:06 pm
Unfortunately, incumbents have a huge advantage over challengers. For example, Obama is basically campaigning all the time on the taxpayers nickle.
August 24, 2010 at 2:34 pm
Clever!
August 24, 2010 at 3:03 pm
Not when elections are bought by the incumbent with all the cash.
August 24, 2010 at 3:24 pm
Not when there is Jerrymandering involved.
August 24, 2010 at 6:01 pm
There are term limits. They’re called elections.
August 24, 2010 at 3:41 pm
Total and absolute corruption in Washington DC………we are becoming a 3rd world country in that regard!
August 24, 2010 at 4:13 pm
It’s sad to say but the people he represents will probably re-elect this elitist who should have been botted long ago.
August 24, 2010 at 4:15 pm
He’s a weasel, a textbook politician.
August 24, 2010 at 8:50 am
It is just utterly disgusting that he was not put in prison years ago.
This is an embarassing tragedy, and in insult to all Americans. What has the U.S. become, a third-world backwater shithole?
August 24, 2010 at 12:22 pm
That applies to both politicians named in the title of the article.
August 24, 2010 at 2:33 pm
Charles Rangel for President: M. L. K., Charles Rangle and I, a Jersey Republican were all born into the world at a time when freight trains had passengers that were called Hobos, automobiles had cranks on the front, Newark International Airport was mostly a muskrat farm, water fountains were black and white and Franklin Delano Roosevelt was elected president for life. Most houses had ice delivered and you had to walk a mile for a telephone. WWII we all started saving tin cans and buying war savings stamps to put into a book that traded for a $25.00 war bond that cost $17.50. Charles walked the walk and fought in “my” war. He ran for Congress and won 20 times. Charles helped make the sausage and buried the bodies as they say. After surviving 40 years in Congress bucking the white tide he is being thrown under the bus by this administration. I say make him President. He is just what the Democrats need, experience.
August 24, 2010 at 2:47 pm
Elections only allow the sheeple to exchange new rats for old rats. Its time
to torch the barn and kill all the rats – Rhetorically speaking, of course.
August 24, 2010 at 5:27 pm
And they turn on each other like a pack of hyenas fighting over a bloated carcass.
August 24, 2010 at 8:44 am