Althouse: "'I don’t know how much longer I have to live,' said Mr. Rangel, 80, his eyes watery and his voice quivering."

November 18, 2010

"'I don’t know how much longer I have to live,' said Mr. Rangel, 80, his eyes watery and his voice quivering."

The octogenarian faces censure.

90 comments:

NotWhoIUsedtoBe said...: I'm going to put this out there- why is it such a big deal if Rep. Wrangel is in Congress? Does anyone really think his replacement wouldn't be a another Democratic member of the Congressional Black Caucus?

There's a Republican House now, so he's never going to have a committee chairmanship again, so... why not get someone new?; 11/18/10, 8:07 PM
Anonymous said...: Some heroes fall.

Seduction is a real thing.

Rangel was seduced by the perks, the privilege, and all the money.

It's sad, really.; 11/18/10, 8:13 PM
former law student said...: Should a man who expects to die at any time really be running for Congress?; 11/18/10, 8:13 PM
NotWhoIUsedtoBe said...: Geriatric leadership is a bipartisan problem.; 11/18/10, 8:17 PM
coketown said...: From the article: "Mr. Rangel would be required to stand in the well of the House while the speaker reads a resolution rebuking him."

Why not just put him in stocks?; 11/18/10, 8:18 PM
Jason (the commenter) said...: All the House is going to do is say "I rebuke you" plus some other words, in public. He'd hear a lot worse if he went and talked to voters.; 11/18/10, 8:20 PM
LilyBart said...: This man is corrupt. He's getting off light.

As my mother would say - "you're not sorry you did it, you're sorry you got caught."; 11/18/10, 8:23 PM
Amy said...: Who among us does know how much longer he or she has to live? How is he unique in this regard and why should this even be a factor?
If you believed you were imminently going to meet your Maker, wouldn't you conduct yourself to a HIGHER ethical standard?; 11/18/10, 8:31 PM
Hey said...: Boo. Freakin. Hoo.

Turbo Tax was bad enough, but at least it was before he was in a senior leadership position. Cholie was on the damn Ways & Means Committee and he didn't pay the taxes his staff wrote!

He shouldn't be censured, he should be in the Illinois Governor's Retirement Home, aka Federal Penitentiary.; 11/18/10, 8:38 PM
Mary Beth said...: No one knows how much longer they have to live. He thinks his age should get him sympathy, I think he was old enough to know better.; 11/18/10, 8:39 PM
Anonymous said...: He wasn't quivering when that photo was taken of him all blobbed out on a chaise lounge in front of his slush palace in the Dominican Republic was he ?; 11/18/10, 8:47 PM
Anonymous said...: Can you leave rent-controlled apartments that you own illegally to heirs?; 11/18/10, 8:48 PM
Revenant said...: You know, people like to blame the Baby Boomers for what ails American politics, and I've been guilty of that myself.

But when you think about it... we're still being "led" by people from the generation before that.; 11/18/10, 8:53 PM
KCFleming said...: And now that the gubmint owns 1/6th of the economy (healthcare), and GM, this sort of corruption will not be the exception but the rule.

There will need to be a new building just for all the daily rebukes.; 11/18/10, 8:58 PM
Peano said...: Just remember ...; 11/18/10, 9:01 PM
Unknown said...: I'm sure there are people who'd love to help see him off.

Dr Berwick, for example.; 11/18/10, 9:09 PM
1775OGG said...: Well now, does Rangel's censure mean that Duke Cunningham is getting early release?

Cheers.; 11/18/10, 9:10 PM
Gabriel Hanna said...: A censure. He won't be expelled, won't face a day in jail, but his poor frail old heart can't take a censure.

Suppose you were an amoral idiot. Suppose you were a member of Congress. But I repeat myself.; 11/18/10, 9:10 PM
BJM said...: I wonder if Maxine Waters is sweating bullets tonight?; 11/18/10, 9:15 PM
Anonymous said...: I don't suppose this "censure" involves actually giving up any of the money or property that Mr. Rangel illegally amassed, does it?

For that matter, for $165,000 per year, plus benefits, plus retirement, I'd be willing to stand in the well of the House for an entire day while Congresscritters rebuked and censured me. It would be tough, but I'm strong -- I could take it.; 11/18/10, 9:16 PM
Sprezzatura said...: Not bad looking for eighty.; 11/18/10, 9:19 PM
Rialby said...: "not bad looking for 80"

Black don't crack.; 11/18/10, 9:22 PM
Rialby said...: Oh, and WAHHHHHHH.

BFD. He still holds his seat that his consistuency would never let him lose.; 11/18/10, 9:22 PM
BJM said...: There is no crying in politics, Rangel needs to man up.

He had the opportunity to bow out gracefully this election, appoint some eager young Pol to run in his stead...be a hero to his district.

Now he's a leper to the local power brokers and the gravy train chugs to a halt for Ole Charlie.

It's never the crime, but always the cover up/stonewall that bites them in the ass...will Pols never learn?; 11/18/10, 9:26 PM
John henry said...: Charlie is carrying on a grand tradition. His predecessor, Adam Clayton Powell was expelled from Congress for lesser offenses.

So how come Charlie gets off with just a censure?

He didn't benefit personally, he claims? What about not paying taxes? Who benefitted from that if not Charlie? I hope paying the back taxes puts him into bankruptcy and he dies broke.

Fat chance. After 40 years of living on Congressional salary, he has managed to accumulate between 1.3 and 2.6 million dollars.

He must be a thrifty man.

Or a crook. I vote for the latter.

John Henry; 11/18/10, 9:48 PM
jungatheart said...: BJM:
"I wonder if Maxine Waters is sweating bullets tonight?"

Oh, hell no. She's a woman and will have the rage of feminists to fall back on.; 11/18/10, 9:52 PM
traditionalguy said...: His day ended when Obama was elected. He needs a retirement in honor.; 11/18/10, 9:52 PM
Harry said...: Jason (the commenter) said...All the House is going to do is say "I rebuke you" plus some other words, in public. He'd hear a lot worse if he went and talked to voters.

Not from his voters--they just reelected them.

On O'Reilly last night they showed a scen from Godfather II:

Tom Hagen: When a plot against the Emperor failed... the plotters were always given a chance... to let their families keep their fortunes. Right?

Frank Pentangeli: Yeah, but only the rich guys, Tom. The little guys got knocked off and all their estates went to the Emperors. Unless they went home and killed themselves, then nothing happened. And the families... the families were taken care of.

Tom Hagen: That was a good break. A nice deal.

Frank Pentangeli: Yeah... They went home... and sat in a hot bath... opened up their veins... and bled to death... and sometimes they had a little party before they did it.

What is weird is how much Chatlie Rangel looks like Frank Pentangeli.; 11/18/10, 9:54 PM
Harry said...: Charlie Rangel feels that old people should get to keep all the money they've gained through accepting bribes, evading taxes, and milking the system.

He's a symbol of everything that's wrong with politics.; 11/18/10, 9:57 PM
Fred4Pres said...: Don't worry Chuck, hell's waiting.; 11/18/10, 10:02 PM
Meade said...: I pay my taxes. Mainly because I'm afraid my colleagues might rebuke, censure, or even expel me if I'm caught weaseling out of my civic responsibilities.

"Meade," my friends often say to me, "what makes you so gosh darn law abiding and ethical in every way?

And I answer them most earnestly:

"Fear of being read the riot act."; 11/18/10, 10:13 PM
Methadras said...: 'I don’t know how much longer I have to live,'

You people missed the gist of what he was trying to say, 'I don’t know how much longer I have to live, to spend the rest of the money I got in kickbacks, bribes, and payoffs.'

There, now that sentence is finished. Two words for that piece of offal. Drop Dead.; 11/18/10, 10:19 PM
Anonymous said...: Oh... what does it matter? It's the same thing as with Larry Craig... they're all crooks, and they'll do almost anything to avoid kicking out one of the members of their elitist club. Even corrupt scumbag Duke Cunningham wasn't out of office until after he pled guilty to a whole bunch of felonies...

And yet all you Althousians seem to think that having Republicans back in control means that things will be clean-as-a-whistle from now on. Bullshit!

But go ahead and enjoy your schadenfreude party now. Just try to ignore the sound of your country withering on its death bed in the background.; 11/18/10, 10:32 PM
Meade said...: I can't even bear to be admonished.

And no amount of ill-gotten gains, funny money, or boodle would ever be worth the risk of being chided.

Tsk tsked in well of the House of Representatives?
I shudder at the thought.; 11/18/10, 10:43 PM
William said...: What he got charged with was just the tip of the iceberg. What was spent on that Apollo restoration project could have built every Harlem resident a condo in Malibu.....No politician truly believes his life is finite or that his leadership is replaceable. Wilson, after a crippling stroke, did not resign and even contemplated running for a third term. Look at pictures of Roosevelt at Yalta. The man is half dead, and he feels capable of negotiating the fate of the world.. Check out any number of superannuated Supreme Court Justices who believe that what they lack in bladder control they more than make up for in wisdom....Rangel thinks that he will outlive Thurmond.; 11/18/10, 10:54 PM
bgates said...: It's the same thing as with Larry Craig

If you think it's as much of an ethical lapse for a white Republican to make some kind of pass at another man as it is for a black Democrat to spend decades breaking local, state, and federal law to enrich himself while arguing that anybody who resisted his party's demands for more of the public's money wanted to bring back slavery, yes.; 11/18/10, 11:00 PM
Gene said...: I wonder if Maxine Waters is sweating bullets tonight?

I suspect she's rather planning (yet another) press conference to blame all her problems on white racism.; 11/18/10, 11:29 PM
Gene said...: I wonder if Maxine Waters is sweating bullets tonight?

I suspect she's rather planning (yet another) press conference to blame all her problems on white racism.; 11/18/10, 11:29 PM
Unknown said...: In Miami, years ago, the octagenarian head of the United Teachers of Dade was convicted of stealing from his own union. It was flagrant and ongoing. He used the "I'm gonna die any minute" tactic at sentencing and got a slap on the wrist (i.e. minor prison time in a cushy location).

He left prison more hale and hearty than a 50 year old and is still living high.

Disgusting.; 11/19/10, 4:55 AM
Anonymous said...: Um, ok Charlie, so?

Are you saying you need to be in Congress until you die or something?

How pathetic.

By the way, 80 year old's in Congress (and on the SCOTUS) is not part of the solution, it is part of the problem.; 11/19/10, 6:29 AM
Anonymous said...: It's the same thing as with Larry Craig..

Hysterical.

Your sense of proportion is just a little bit off there.

But again, you can't hold the party you vote for accountable.; 11/19/10, 6:32 AM
MadisonMan said...: Fortunately, suckling off the public teat is life-giving. Rather like drinking unicorn's blood, but not as rare.; 11/19/10, 6:38 AM
Fen said...: I actually feel sorry for the corrupt little weasel.

Somebody slap me.; 11/19/10, 6:46 AM
Anonymous said...: He profited every time he was supposed to pay taxes and didn't; every time he used facilities that could have been rented and weren't. We the taxpayer lost cuz we had to make up the slack for him. In his view, taxes are for the little people, not for powerful men like him.

Worse yet, the NYT calls him an "octogenarian" in order to invoke sympathy for him. Why, he's just an old doddering guy. For real? He sure didn't dodder about hiding that foreign real estate did he?; 11/19/10, 6:57 AM
lemondog said...: But, he said, whatever time he has, he will spend it trying “to help people and thank God for what he’s given to me.”

So the past 40 years in office was not in the service of people?

You know, people like to blame the Baby Boomers for what ails American politics, and I've been guilty of that myself.

But when you think about it... we're still being "led" by people from the generation before that.

As of November 19, 2010, 4 senators are in their 80s, 23 are in their 70s, 35 are in their 60s, 30 are in their 50s, and 8 are in their 40s

The majority are boomers and younger. What is troubling is the prodigious numbers of those in office elected to double digit terms. As voters we should discipline ourselves to a standard of 'term limits.'

Enough is enough. Power corrupts, etc.

And no amount of ill-gotten gains, funny money, or boodle would ever be worth the risk of being chided.

Meade for Prez!; 11/19/10, 7:18 AM
Bob Ellison said...: "Rebuke not, that ye be not rebuked." Also, "Censure is mine, I will say 'tsk tsk', sayeth the Lord."; 11/19/10, 7:33 AM
Original Mike said...: "And yet all you Althousians seem to think that having Republicans back in control means that things will be clean-as-a-whistle from now on. Bullshit!"

Bullshit, indeed. You're delusional.; 11/19/10, 7:39 AM
Scott M said...: "And yet all you Althousians seem to think that having Republicans back in control means that things will be clean-as-a-whistle from now on. Bullshit!"

I don't know any rational, informed people that think this at all. If anything, it's far more of a "we're watching you like a hawk" mentality. The problems we're facing require militant vigilance. Most of the pols in Washington that are north of 50-year-old don't quite grasp how easy that is now.; 11/19/10, 7:41 AM
Original Mike said...: I'll feel sorry for him (even though he won't deserve it, Im a softie), when something of consequence happens to him. Censure? Big deal. Why is he not being expelled?

And I heard a report last night that he "might" have to pay his back taxes. Might? I hope that was sloppy reporting and the IRS is already on the case, but I haven't heard anything about that yet.; 11/19/10, 7:42 AM
vet66 said...: Rangle is a thief and a scofflaw. He deserves the public humiliation that is his due. He has no honor and knows it. Finally being held accountable his only defense is that he is a victim reduced to tears as he attempts to blame the paperwork that he authored.

Shame on him! He made his legacy and now must live with it.; 11/19/10, 8:12 AM
Michael said...: Rangel is a liberal democrat and thus intent trumps the deeds themselves. He had a good heart and worked for the poor, so the fact that he was a thief, a tax cheat, an abuser of rent controlled housing and a liar should be overlooked.; 11/19/10, 8:19 AM
Original Mike said...: Did he mentioned "the children" in his defense?; 11/19/10, 8:22 AM
tree hugging sister said...: Call the waaahbulance. STFU, you disreputable old goat.

Who doesn't think he'll be an arrogant asshole again within 6 months of the dust clearing?; 11/19/10, 8:25 AM
Larry J said...: A censure. He won't be expelled, won't face a day in jail, but his poor frail old heart can't take a censure.

Censure and a few bucks will buy you a cup of coffee at Starbucks. It's what passes for punishment for the political class but really means nothing. Obeying the law and suffering the consequences for not doing so are for the little people.; 11/19/10, 8:28 AM
Drew said...: "Mr. Rangel would be required to stand in the well of the House while the speaker reads a resolution rebuking him."

Bunch of criminals reprimanding a criminal. Big effin' deal.; 11/19/10, 8:30 AM
test said...: Finish the quote:

"'I don’t know how much longer I have to live"... so I'm stealing for my grnadchildren while I still have chance.; 11/19/10, 8:34 AM
traditionalguy said...: Reading the 99% negative comments here on Rangel saddens me. He was a Harlem NYC representative that took on and beat Adam Clayton Powell. He has served his district for 40 years. In Atlanta such men are not despised. White Southerners are not haters of our African American cousins. But it amazes me to see the level of hate for a good man named Charlie Rangel over his missteps in his late 70s. That is beyond the pale in the South where we respect old warriors from both sides for their days of service. I suspect all of these self righteous legalistic comments are from northerners that still maintain a secret hate for African Americans who dare to claim acceptance. MLK in the 60s had an easy success here in Atlanta but he got nowhere near that success on his visit to Chicago. And how many of you also assume the current smears of Michael Steele are true because that's just the way you see it.; 11/19/10, 8:36 AM
Scott M said...: 'I don’t know how much longer I have to live"... so I'm stealing for my grnadchildren while I still have chance.

Thread winner.; 11/19/10, 8:38 AM
test said...: "And yet all you Althousians seem to think that having Republicans back in control means that things will be clean-as-a-whistle from now on. Bullshit!"

Funny how idiots on the left misstate reality. It was Nancy Pelosi who made a big deal about the "culture of corruption". But now the very idiots who cheered her on claim that everyone knows this was a bipartisan problem. But of course, that's our point.

Sometimes you just have to wonder what happenned to these people. Something terrible must have happened to them to cause such a negative reaction over every single little thing.; 11/19/10, 8:41 AM
Michael said...: Traditionalguy: I sweat it out with you in the summers down here in the sweet sunny south. I have the deepest respect for the cohorts you reference, guys like John Lewis whose courage was indisputable. But I believe it does a great disservice to their accomplishments and their own heroism to ignore misdeeds in the present. Lewis' complicity in the phony spitting incident after health care passage is a case in point. I think it diminishes him just as I believe Rangle's misdeeds diminish his own considerable achievements. I yield to no man in my defense of and respect for the men and women who risked all during the civil rights struggles, but the sanctity of that cause did not excuse even its most heroic from abiding by our laws.; 11/19/10, 8:51 AM
Anonymous said...: to see the level of hate for a good man named Charlie Rangel

That is laugh out loud funny.

Thank you for the morning laugh.; 11/19/10, 8:52 AM
Anonymous said...: He was a Harlem NYC representative that took on and beat Adam Clayton Powell.

Er, Powell, like Rangel, was a crook.

He has served his district for 40 years.

You act like this is some achievement or something.

Tell us, what would Rangel be doing if he were not in Congress?

Do you really think it would be anything of value?; 11/19/10, 8:54 AM
Original Mike said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 11/19/10, 8:55 AM
Original Mike said...: "I suspect all of these self righteous legalistic comments are from northerners that still maintain a secret hate for African Americans who dare to claim acceptance."

Bull fucking crap.

Legalistic comments? You can't be serious. Acquaint yourself with the list of laws he broke before accusing me of being a racist.; 11/19/10, 8:57 AM
Larry J said...: Legalistic comments? You can't be serious. Acquaint yourself with the list of laws he broke before accusing me of being a racist.

Don't you get it? Expecting Rangel to obey the laws that ordinary people have to obey is RACIST!

Cheating on your taxes is a crime. When Rangel cheats on his taxes, calling him on it is RACIST!! [\sarcasm]

God, those race-baiting fools are tiresome.; 11/19/10, 9:04 AM
Original Mike said...: "God, those race-baiting fools are tiresome."

Amen.; 11/19/10, 9:05 AM
Anonymous said...: "...He has served his district for 40 years..."

He served himself for 40 years.; 11/19/10, 9:07 AM
Known Unknown said...: I couldn't understand a word he said. I'm not fluent in Whinese.; 11/19/10, 9:11 AM
Big Mike said...: Dang, FLS, my first thought was exactly what you wrote.

We have to stop agreeing like this.; 11/19/10, 9:34 AM
Big Mike said...: You know, people like to blame the Baby Boomers for what ails American politics, and I've been guilty of that myself.

But when you think about it... we're still being "led" by people from the generation before that.

It may also have escaped your notice that the top "leadership" provided to the men who fought the war in Viet Nam was 100% staffed by the "Greatest Generation."; 11/19/10, 9:37 AM
Paddy O said...: JERRY SEINFELD: Leo, I saw you steal.

LEO: Oh, they don't care. We all do it.

JERRY: Who, criminals?

LEO: Senior citizens. No big deal.

JERRY: You could get arrested.

LEO: Arrested? Come on! (Goes into a routine explanation for his stealing) I'm an old man. I'm confused! I thought I paid for it. What's my name? Will you take me home?; 11/19/10, 9:46 AM
Kirby Olson said...: He teared up! Waters! Bring on Waters!

God bless them both.; 11/19/10, 10:13 AM
Trooper York said...: Wow traditionalguy you couldn't be more wrong. The congressman from Harlem has been a crook for the last one hundred years.

When the Italians controlled Harlem the congressman was Vito Marcantonio the Mafia basicily controlled him as he was a real left wing commie pinko type but took his orders from Ciro Terranova and Frank Costello.

The Adam Clayton Powell came in and took with both hands till he was thrown out by Congress.

Now Rangel. He was a grasping crook for a long time running black politics in Manhattan with Percy Sutton, Dinkins and Basil Patterson the current lame duck governor's father. They whacked up government dough going to foundations and not for profits since the 1960's.

New York City Machine politics has always been a dirty business. Wether the Irish the Italians or the blacks run it.
Don't fool yourself. Color has nothing to do with it.; 11/19/10, 10:20 AM
Anonymous said...: Poor Charlie couldn't keep up with the rules. Welcome to the club that your cabal has imposed on the rest of us.; 11/19/10, 10:31 AM
Original Mike said...: No, Trooper, you're just a racist. Mort had you pegged long ago.

Right, Mort?

Mort...?; 11/19/10, 10:34 AM
newton said...: "Should a man who expects to die at any time really be running for Congress?"

Well, come to think of it, the only way Robert Byrd left the U.S. Senate was inside a box...; 11/19/10, 11:04 AM
traditionalguy said...: Trooper...You say that Rangel did standard politics in NYC and that has been corrupt system since forever. So how about some respect for Rangel's endurance living within that political system that he found himself in. His elimination from leadership is for Pelosi's benefit because his seniority got him Chair of the Ways and Means committee which is as powerful as the Speaker....and he probably never paid his parking tickets either. He shall be eliminated which will also please the partisans of the right with this two for one move. And I liked the guys personality on TV a lot.; 11/19/10, 11:11 AM
Peter V. Bella said...: They should have expelled him as an example to others. Public service is a privilege, not a right. Rangel has abused that privilege long enough.

Who cares about his forty years of service too. The only good thing Rangel ever did was serve his country in the Army. From then on, he was just another corrupt politician.

There should be no pity. No mercy. His obit should read Corrupt Pol...; 11/19/10, 11:18 AM
Trooper York said...: Traditionalguy, an old whore is still a whore. Why do you want to celebrate him?

He has stolen with both hands and called everyone who questioned him about anything a racist. He never saw a tax he didn't want to raise or an entitlement he didn't want to increase. He is what is wrong with American Politics root and branch.

He is a roly-poly caramel colored Boss Tweed.

Did you feel bad for Boss Tweed?; 11/19/10, 11:21 AM
Trooper York said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 11/19/10, 11:25 AM
Trooper York said...: It's too late for him to ask for forgiveness. He never gave any to his political opponents. He branded everyone who opposed him a racist.

There is an old store about the Mets catcher Jerry Grote. When he was a big time player he would push past the reporters and spit at them and refuse to answer their questions. In the last year of his career when he was riding the bench he would go to the writers and try to strike a conversation to get himself some positive ink. Maury Allen of the Post said "Why is he trying to say hello when it is time for him to say goodbye."

It's time to say goodbye Charlie. Let’s get a new young up to date cyber crook in there who can steal in new and more modern ways. It's time to say goodbye.; 11/19/10, 11:26 AM
Original Mike said...: "And I liked the guys personality on TV a lot."

I did to. I was really disappointed when it turned out he was a crook. Parking tickets my ass.; 11/19/10, 11:41 AM
Roger J. said...: Benedict Arnold's heroism was indisputable at the Battle of Saratoga (hence the boot statue) but he succumbed to lucre when he tried to sell West Point to the british--Not a dimes worth of difference between the two.; 11/19/10, 11:44 AM
traditionalguy said...: Trooper ...Was Boss Tweed the character shown in Gangs of New York as the master political alliance maker? If so, then I did understand him. Politics is about people fearing you. And I agree that Rangel needs to leave the public scene. He is past his sell by date.; 11/19/10, 11:52 AM
Trooper York said...: Scorcese used a lot of compsites of character's in "Gangs of New York."

Tweed was actually a congressman for two terms where he learned how to steal. He didn't really take over New York until 1867 after the Civil War.

Scorcese wanted to show the draft riots which had a lot more to do with racism and the hatred of the war than it did with gang wars and no-nothingism.

The Civil war was "A rich man's war but a poor man's fight."

Same as it ever was.; 11/19/10, 12:21 PM
Trooper York said...: Karl Rove or Axelrod are the Tweed figures of today. The methods change but it is the same stuff over and over again.; 11/19/10, 12:22 PM
lemondog said...: Charles Rangel in 1950.; 11/19/10, 1:23 PM
Famous Original Mike said...: "Should a man who expects to die at any time really be running for Congress?"

I can't believe I'm saying this, but I agree with fls.; 11/19/10, 1:34 PM
Ann Althouse said...: Adam Clayton Powell wasn't expelled. He was excluded, and he sued and won when the US Supreme Court said he couldn't be excluded (only expelled) for his misdeeds. He was later defeated in a primary by Charles Rangel.; 11/19/10, 4:33 PM
Deb said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 11/19/10, 5:45 PM