If Pelosi were to supplant Rangel, she’d face the prospect of choosing from a unappetizing menu of potential replacements at the Ways and Means helm.But jumping three or four people might be a tough job. Representatives like their seniority rights and all the other chairs who got their position by waiting their turn would back the other septuagenarians.
“There are not a lot of good choices for her on that committee,” said a leadership aide.
The next Democrat in line would be Pete Stark, an outspoken 77-year-old liberal with a firebrand reputation and a penchant for intemperate cracks – like calling Blue Dog Democrats “brain dead.”
Next up: Michigan Rep. Sander Levin, also 77, and Washington Rep. Jim McDermott, 72, who are not considered favored choices of Pelosi based on their ages and temperaments.
The two most desirable substitutes from leadership’s perspective, staffers say, are Georgia Rep. John Lewis, 69, the civil rights hero, whose appointment would assuage Black Caucus anger at Rangel’s ouster; and Massachusetts Rep. Richard Neal, 60, a tax expert who is a favorite of his colleagues.
So expect to see the House Democrats to keep their wagons circled around Good Ol' Charlie while hiding behind the fig leaf of waiting for the Ethics Committee report. And don't expect that report any time soon.
5 comments:
This is one more example of Pelosi not being up to the job. It is her responsibilty to cast out corrupt members. It's not just ethically right, but politically the smart thing to do in the long run. John Lewis would be a great replacement.
I wonder what happened to "draining the swamp" and the "culture of corruption".
For God's sake - TERM LIMITS - already. The field of potential replacements for Rangel is disgusting. Both parties need new blood of their own before they bleed this country dry.
mark's approval of John Lewis is enough to tell me that the man is problematic, without even bringing into consideration his penchant for race-baiting, such as he did by comparing McCain and Palin with George Wallace.
Though not as repulsive as the angry psychotic Pete Stark,
( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjbPZAMked0 ) John Lewis seems to be very selective in application of the law through his eager willingness to disenfranchise millions of voters to achieve his desired political ends as evidenced by his insistence that the electoral college votes from Ohio be thrown out in 2004. That was not a rational or legal response to the issue and as such, I believe it disqualifies Lewis from holding any position of responsibility.
No, the one thing that ought to qualify anyone to replace Rangel is their steadfast and public demand for his arrest, trial and conviction for violation of the tax codes he has been responsible for heaping on America. Any member of Congress that does not condemn Rangel is beneath contempt.
Criminal from Illinois and former Ways and Means Chairman, Dan Rostenkowski, spent time in prison for doing far less than Rangel, though he got a quick pardon from Bill Clinton. The current President of the United States should have already launched a Justice Department probe on Rangel's criminal activity but then we all know that he seems to associate with tax cheats rather happily.
The problem that Pelosi faces is endemic to the House seniority system & it effects both parties. We need to go through both bodies like the grim reaper and elect about 50 reps & 10 senators who will actually challenge the leadership. The only effective term limit is an ongoing purge of incumbents. N.B. The IRS waiver of Rangel's interest & penalties is unheard of and must be investigated, do you think Holder will appoint a special prosecutor?
I'm somewhat sympathetic to Speaker Pelosi on this issue as doing right here might not be worth the uproar to follow. Any permanent minority looks upon its perks and holds them in a death grip because it took so long to get them and the fear that some other group is coming along to take them away.
Hysterics in public are then one of the most effective tools to maintain the status quo. Witness the promised reopening of one of the worst hospitals in the US, MLK/Drew, simply as a matter of community pride.
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