FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says Congressman Charlie Rangel's actions don't pass the "smell test"... yet she refuses to force him out as chairman of the powerful ways and means committee.
[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/03/01/art.rangel.pelosi.jpg caption="Rep. Charles Rangel (D-NY) and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi."]
However the pressure is mounting. Some Democrats are now joining with Republicans in calling for the New York congressman to be removed. The New York Times says the "arrogance" Rangel showed after the ethics committee ruling gives one more reason for Pelosi to "stop protecting him."
Pelosi acknowledges that "what Mr. Rangel has been admonished for is not good"... but that he didn't "jeopardize our country in any way." Pelosi says she's waiting for the ethics committee to finish its investigation before she makes any decisions.
This is the same Nancy Pelosi who vowed to "drain the swamp" in Washington when she became speaker; and the same Nancy Pelosi who years ago called on Republicans to remove the "ethically unfit" Tom Delay as their majority leader.
The ethics committee admonished Rangel for taking two corporate-sponsored trips to the Caribbean. And there's a laundry list of other issues they're investigating that involve Rangel's personal finances - like not reporting hundreds of thousands of dollars on income and assets... They're also looking into Rangel's fundraising efforts, his use of several, rent-stabilized Harlem apartments, and his failure to pay taxes on a vacation home in the Dominican Republic.
Here’s my question to you: Why does House Speaker Nancy Pelosi continue to defend Rep. Charlie Rangel?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Annie in Atlanta writes:
The ruling class doesn't have to abide by the same rules we do, apparently. Just like the South Carolina Republicans with Sanford or the Justice Department with Bush and Cheney. They all make me sick.
Kellen in New Jersey writes:
I don't blame Nancy Pelosi. The last time she went after William Jefferson, she got in trouble with the Congressional Black Caucus. They will circle the wagons against her if she acts too rashly. I don't blame her for waiting but I think she will eventually have to ask him to step down.
Donald in Cameron, North Carolina writes:
Another prime example, regardless of Democrat or Republican, of protecting your own to maintain a majority. They're all crooked as hell and that's why they are in Congress, not to serve the people, but for financial rewards they can accrue serving the vested interests.
Dave writes:
In polite terms: Because they are all political animals. If Nancy doesn't support Rangel now and he manages to get through this, there will be payback! She knows that. That's not to say she is a person of conviction, and won’t change her mind later.
Ryan writes:
This is not that big of a deal, Jack. Even the Ethics Committee pointed out that he didn't know who was paying for the trip and that his staff who did know didn't tell him. He fired staff over this. Calm down, buddy.
Jack in Toledo, Ohio writes:
Jack, It's difficult to pull the plug and drain the swamp in which you slither.
Doug in Clifton Park, New York writes:
Politicians are like a bunch of bananas. They hang together, they're all yellow, and there's not a straight one among them.