Why didn't Rangel just handle this the same way Vitter did?

[NNN0LHI]

Vitter got up in front of the cameras and tearfully apologized for his name being found in the "black book" of an organized crime figure running a high end prostitution ring and refused to take any further questions. Then the little prick scurried back to DC only to have his fellow Republican Senators welcome him back with a standing ovation. And it looks as though he is about to be reelected.

Couldn't Rangel have just got up in front of the cameras and apologized for any mistakes he made and have been done with it too?

Why the difference?

How come one gets disciplined and the other gets a standing ovation?

Any theories on this?

Don

[stray cat]

1. Chairman of the ways and means committee - kind of contradictory and hypocritical

[NNN0LHI]

2. Vitter serves on the Committees on Armed Services; Banking, Housing and Urban Development; ...

... Commerce, Science and Transportation; Environment and Public Works; and Small Business and Entrepreneurship.

Not sure I see your point?

Don

[sendero]

3. Because what Rangel has done....

.... is 50 times worse than what Vitter did.

[hollowdweller]

7. It doesn't sound good for Rangel

I personally like him but the three difft things I heard on the news if really as reported spell trouble for him.

The not paying taxes on a luxury home in the Dominican Republic especially makes him look bad if true.

[sendero]

8. As far as I can tell..

... these ethics problems are not much in doubt. Rangel is not going to survive this, I'm pretty sure of that.

[NNN0LHI]

14. How do you know what Rangel did is 50 times worse than what Vitter did?

Was there ever any investigation of Vitter to find out exactly what he did?

Don

[sendero]

15. I listen ...

... to the news and sort out what sounds credible.

In case you are not aware,these allegations have been swirling around Rangel for years. And his recent actions are not the actions of an innocent man.

[NNN0LHI]

17. But you took Vitterrs word on his associations?

You didn't need any investigation of Vitter to find him 50 times less guilty than Rangel?

That is interesting.

Don

[sendero]

18. One involves sex..

.. the other financial corruption. If you can't see the difference in gravity tough shit doofus.

If Rangel turns out to be exonerated, I will email you a mea culpa that you are free to post.

I'm not worried about having to do so but believe me, I'd RATHER find out this was all a witch hunt, I just don't think it is.

[NNN0LHI]

19. RICO

Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act

That is what Vitters "friend", was convicted of.

How did Vitter pay for these services? Credit card? Cash? Check? Political favors?

Do you know the answer to that one question?

Don

[sendero]

22. Have you ever..

.. heard of "guilt by association"?

I don't give a rat's ass who his friends are, has anyone found any evidence that he was involved in such activities?

I bet I know that answer.

[Orsino]

20. Well, if you leave out Vitter's having voted with his Republican colleagues for years, yes. n/t

[TheBigotBasher]

4. Vitter is a Republican

Rangel is a Democratic congressman and black.

Of course the treatment will be different.

Look back and see how McCain as a Senator was treated for his corruption.

[Canuckistanian]

10. 'nuff said n/t

[emilyg]

11. bs

[TheBigotBasher]

13. McCain was let off criminal corruption

because of stupidity.

All Rangel has done is go on a funded holiday that others may well have done as well.

Tell me, how do you explain the difference in treatment?

[Bitwit1234]

12. Rangel does one other thing he takes the republicans head on

one tiny infraction, much less something bigger and they would have went after him.

[cali]

16. oh, bullshit.

this has jackshit to do with race. and his peers in the CBC don't think so either.

[harkadog]

5. He says he is innocent.

If he maintains that position how can he apologize?

[David Zephyr]

6. Excellent point.

I like Charlie Rangel. Period.

[Voltaire]

21. I like him too

And he has to go. Our party cannot be seen to subsidize corruption. Let the godless, souless, Republicans do that.

[tularetom]

9. Yep, the Democrats are serious about weeding out corruption in their ranks

The republicans are not. Vitter knew he would be accepted back into the fold as long as he didn't do something unforgivable like vote for a "Democrat" bill in the Senate.

The Democratic caucus actually asks more of its members. Like they obey the law.