Washington – NY’S Rep. Charles Rangel compared President Obama to former Vice President Dick Cheney Saturday for their shared commitment to the Iraq War, one the Harlem Democrat argues is based on the country’s hunger for oil.
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“I challenge anyone to tell me we aren’t there because of the oil,” said Rangel, who kicks off his re-election campaign for a 21st congressional term in Washington Heights Sunday.
“The lack of an honest explanation [for the war] is consistent with Bush and Cheney,” he told the Daily News during an hour-long interview that touched on his ongoing ethics probe, relationship with the President and ability to get work done in Washington.
A Korean War hero, Rangel criticized the Obama White House for staying in Bush-triggered wars, saying, “We are trying to buy our friends there … stuff like that makes Cheney look good.”
It’s not the first time the two have tangled.
When Obama asked Gov. Paterson not to run for re-election last fall, Rangel said the move was “not presidential.” The interference without Rangel’s consent was considered a slap against the legendary New York lawmaker.
They have since had a “very pleasant exchange” about the incident, according to Rangel, who added, “I have no reason to believe it will ever happen again in my district or my state.”
Rangel, who turns 80 this week, insists he can still get work done in Washington despite giving up his powerful chairmanship of the Ways and Means Committee after ethics honchos scolded him for cashing in on Caribbean junkets.
The feds haven’t completed their investigation of him, which includes charges of unreported income and tax fraud.
“I don’t know what they are going to report. Just because they are taking a long time reaching a conclusion doesn’t mean I should stop my public service,” he said.
Rangel is relying on his popularity in Harlem and Washington Heights, where residents still regularly shake his hand when he walks down the street, to secure another term.
“I get a sense the people really don’t think I’ve been treated fairly,” said Rangel.
But for the first time in 16 years, he faces challengers, including state Assemblyman Adam Clayton Powell IV, whose dad held the Harlem seat until he was beaten by Rangel in 1970.
Rangel’s foes have already said his scandals make him unfit to serve. He dismisses them.
“I don’t know how many opponents I have. So far, nobody’s filed,” said Rangel.
He says he has enough clout – as a senior member of Congress with the ear of Speaker Nancy Pelosi – to get work done in Washington, ticking off tax reform, climate control and improving education as his top goals.
Despite his differences with Obama on the war, he praised the President’s handling of the broken economy, the BP oil spill and described him as politically savvy.
As for Obama’s sinking approval ratings, Rangel said, “We had perhaps higher expectations than we should have.”
Hey Rangel! Go back to cheating on taxes and get your paws of Cheney!
It’s very simple Charlie: pulling out of Iraq will mean bloody civil war with hundreds of thousands dead, a price Obama is not willing to assume. It’s one thing to naively campaign on the promise of ending wars, and it’s another thing to reconcile with the sobering reality of intelligence reports once in office. Obama will simply extend the war and pass it on to the next guy who will in turn pass it on to the next guy, until the US runs out of money.
“Legendary New York Lawmaker”? The only legacy he’s going to leave is one of corruption. From not paying taxes on his home In the Bahamas, to not paying taxes on 4 government subsidized apartments then he for some reason qualified for. Sorry Charlie, its time to go.
It is part of ikvasa dimishicho that governments will be dominated by corruption. Rangel has fulfilled the “Chazon Ish’s shiur” of that. Once upon a time, corruption that was discovered became the epitaph for a politician. Today, it becomes a badge of honor. How many of the politicians who are still accorded honor and recognition lack the morals of a simple citizen? The numbers are alarming. I will spare readers making a list, but we all know them. Just read the headlines.
Helivay obama was like cheney, cheney was a patriot who cared about this country obama a left wing liberal who hates this country and is destructive.
Tax cheat -in -chief
One of the tell tale signs of Ikvisa D’Moshicha is when Chum rules. With chaleriyas like Rangel, Obama, etc ruling, we have to be close. DO T’SHUVA!!
I like Charlie Rangel, he says what’s on his mind, he’s smart
Rangel isn’t in jail yet?