Charlie Rangel on Weinergate

[WI_DEM]

"He wasn't going with prostitutes. He wasn't going out with little boys. He wasn't going into men's room with broad stances. I mean, All of those I understand; I'm 80 years old. But high-tech stuff like this, I can't respond. But I know immoral sex when I hear it from other members, and no one has screamed for their resignation. So I don't know why they're selecting Anthony."

Rep. Charlie Rangel (D-NY), quoted by the New York Observer, defending Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-NY) against calls for him to resign.
http://politicalwire.com/

[gateley]

1. Yeah, as pissed as I am at Weiner for just thinking only of

himself and not the fallout for the Dems (and his personal life!), he didn't break any laws, didn't yammer about family values. I'm not comparing the circumstances, but sheesh, his is hardly the "worst" infraction that others have weathered.

[midnight]

2. I think Charlie sums it up perfectly....

[SugarShack]

3. Go Charlie go! It's time to out the real sexual criminals....

Any takers on DU? Or is this topic not allowed here? This is a legit question. So Im asking it. Is this topic allowed here?

[frebrd]

9. Actually, I think it's time to get off the subject and concentrate.....

on how these pols are doing their jobs, not on who or what or how they're diddling!

:shrug:

[ljm2002]

4. Good for Charlie Rangel!

It's about time someone came to Anthony Weiner's defense. You don't have to like, or approve of what he did; but the prudery and piling-on is IMO much more odious.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

5. I agree

I recall that there was a LOT of pressure on Rangel to resign but he didn't. I don't think that Weiner should resign unless something really bad comes out. Otherwise, it should really be up to his constituents. I don't understand why everybody's hair is on fire. The GOP is trying to use it to tar Democrats but their hands aren't clean either as some of their party members- some of whom are still serving in Congress- have been involved in even worse scandals, some of which involve illegal activities. Rachel was mentioning the other night that Rick Santorum was involved with the Ensign affair, as was Tom Coburn. Vitter is still serving in office as well.

[HelenWheels]

6. They say "Wiener" you say "Vitter"

I think I heard Rachael say this and it is a good line.

[JoePhilly]

10. +100, add Ensign, Newt, Sanford

And every GOP member who lied about Death Panels.

That was a lie that matters.

[frazzled]

7. I'm not surprised about his stance

He's speaking as a Congressman who was censured (rightly or wrongly, I won't judge) on 13 ethics violations, never resigned, and went on to win his election for the umpteenth time.

I was a great fan of Charlie Rangel's for many years, and even met and thanked him at a party once, but I don't think he's necessarily the go-to guy on ethics issues.

[Contrary1]

8. "So I don't know why they're selecting Anthony."

I'll buy a couple clues for you, Rep. Rangel.

1st name Clarence
2nd name Thomas.