Weekly Wrap-Up

Labor Day weekend is here, and we all probably need a break after trying to keep up with Rep. Charlie Rangel’s ethics shenanigans. Where to begin?

The National Legal and Policy Center is a good place to go for a look at all of Rangel’s past and present scandals: http://tinyurl.com/nzcmvh

This story is getting plenty of coverage across the state, from New York City (http://tinyurl.com/kpncl6) to Buffalo, where there are calls for Charlie’s resignation: http://tinyurl.com/lyvksm.

Not that Charlie thinks anybody is “smart enough” to question him: http://tinyurl.com/mumrg6

The Wall Street Journal (http://tinyurl.com/nkqo9l) calls Rep. Rangel “The Absentminded Chairman.” How does a person “forget” that he has millions of dollars here and there?

Apparently Rep. Rangel’s staff is as forgetful as he is when it comes to their personal finances: http://tinyurl.com/lbzkg5

Don’t forget that Rep. Rangel isn’t just a huckster and a fraud – he’s also a hypocrite. He helps write the tax laws he refuses to follow – and he’s even proposing new penalties against people who make mistakes on their tax forms: http://tinyurl.com/no7cpw.

So how will Charlie try to “wrangle” his way out of this? By giving money to the right people, of course – namely, to the Democrats on the House Ethics Committee... now known as “Charlie’s Angels” (http://tinyurl.com/kvjpbh).

I guess Rep. Rangel remembers how much money is in his PAC bank account when it’s time to hand out contributions.

Rangel has also been quite generous to Rep. Mike McMahon of Staten Island, who is now under pressure to give the tainted money back to Charlie: http://tinyurl.com/lddjqv

Rep. Rangel is also following the Paterson Strategy by playing the race card. The Post wanted my thoughts on this. Read the article to see what I had to say: http://tinyurl.com/mefgxo

So far, Charlie is in the clear – even though President Barack Obama and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi promised a new era of ethics and accountability in Washington. Right now, Pelosi won’t say a word: http://tinyurl.com/mjvscb

And the Democrats are standing by their man, too – for now: http://tinyurl.com/lf3wkx.

What do you think about the Charlie Rangel saga? Should he stay or should he go? That’s the question in this week’s poll.

Rep. Rangel is probably counting on President Obama to take back the spotlight next week with yet another primetime speech next week. Until then, let’s all enjoy some baseball, football or tennis this weekend. Enjoy the holiday, and check back here next week!