Okay, you’ve seen as we have reported that the House Ethics Committee has released a list of 13 charges against former Ways and Means Chairman Charlie Rangel (D-NY). The key question that still seems murky — and which we have reporters now actively trying to nail down — is how much this development closes the door on any opportunity for Rangel to plead out. In other words, it was understood that up until the Committee went into session, that there were active negotiations underway between Rangel’s lawyers and the committee. Now that the charges have officially been announced, does a trial have to happen? Or can Rangel see the light tomorrow and (presumably at a higher price) plead out and end the whole thing?
We’re not clear on that point yet. We’re trying to get as clear an answer as we can.
Late Update: The Journal continues to report that there in fact is a preliminary deal in place. It’s still being reviewed by committee lawyers, they say. And the key is that at least one of the committee Republicans has to agree to it. The Journal says a committee vote on the deal could come as early as this afternoon.
Put this down as just a ‘feel’ for what’s going on — this is not based on independent reporting. But in our editorial chat just now David Kurtz said: “You get the strong sense that the leadership, the ethics committee and his own lawyers all know what’s best for Charlie –Charlie himself is only one who doesn’t know and probably has been cocooned for so long that he can’t know what the smart move is.” That’s speculation. But I suspect David is right.
All signs suggest that House Ethics Committee sachems and Charlie Rangel’s lawyers have reached a deal that will prevent any public ethics ‘trial’ over the charges against the former Ways and Means Chair. Up on the Hill Rep. Alcee Hastings (D-FL) just told our Brian Beutler that “an arrangement was made whereby the adjudicatory hearing won’t go forward.” It was not clear, however, that Hastings had heard the news through official channels or informally from House colleagues.
Separately, the Journal is reporting that a deal has been reached, though Ethics Committee staffers are apparently still reviewing the final terms of the deal.
Late Update: Or not. The Hearing is starting with the reading of the charges against Rangel. So there does not seem to be any deal yet. We’re following closely and we’ll update you shortly … It’s not clear whether this means the negotiations have definitively broken down or whether this represents on-going brinksmanship on the committee’s part.
Gray Davis now more popular than Arnold in California.
Arnold is now clocking in at a non-Terminating 19%.
U.S. military restrictions on the media are partly to blame for making Afghanistan and Iraq seem like bloodless wars to most Americans. But the media — especially the TV networks — are not blameless. Editorial decisions have contributed to the antiseptic view of the wars that most of us have, at least those of us who haven’t fought there or who haven’t had friends or family killed or wounded.
If you want to see the wars as they are actually happening, or as close to it as the military will allow, you have to turn to al Jazeera or other foreign press. Case in point: this video report from the British Guardian chronicling the grisly work of a special forces helicopter rescue team in Afghanistan’s Helmand province. Really worth your time (probably NSFW due to the language): Read More
Senate Dems turn down Republican request to open senate probe into bogus New Black Panther Party voter intimidation / DOJ coverup / why can’t we have our own US Attys firing scandal too case.
WCBS in New York is reporting that Rep. Charlie Rangel (D-NY) has cut a deal with the House Ethics Committee to avoid a trial on charges he violated House rules. The first meeting of the subcommittee that will hear the charges against Rangel is set to meet at 1 p.m. ET. So now’s the time for cutting what amounts to a plea deal. We should know one way or the other within the hour.
A new poll says opposition to Health Care Reform continues to decline.