Filed under: News, Politics, President Obama, Race and Civil Rights
Charlie Rangel knows that with all his massive legal and political problems, getting on the wrong side of President Barack Obama is a new headache he doesn't need.
So he was wise to kiss the feet of the president, who is still hugely popular in black communities, such as Harlem, where Rangel is trying to win re-election in a hotly contested congressional race.
"I cannot think of a more exciting president this country's had, certainly since I've been in the Congress," Rangel said at a candidate's forum last night.
Rangel's lemon-scented comments were a clear attempt to thaw the frosty relations that have developed between the two politicians in recent weeks.
When Rangel signaled he would fight 13 House Ethics Committee charges claiming that he used his office for personal gain and failed to pay his taxes, Obama and other Democratic leaders strongly suggested he step aside and take a plea deal ahead of November's key congressional elections.
Obama said the Rangel allegations were "very troubling" and said the 80-year-old Democrat should "end his career with dignity."
Obama's language was a lot more conciliatory than that used privately by other Democratic leaders, who fear the Rangel mess could lead to a Republican takeover of the House this fall.
Rangel is experienced enough to know that Obama's comments weren't personal. The were the logical act of a leader who wants to preserve his party's political advantage in Congress as long as he can.
But Obama's admonition still must have stung a proud old politico like Rangel.
Rangel offered some mild rebukes of his own in recent days: At a candidate's forum in Harlem this week, Rangel took a swipe at Obama's relative youth, saying the president "hasn't been around long enough to determine what my dignity is."
While it could be argued that Rangel should retire for the sake of party unity and health, squashing his beef with the president is the wisest course of action if he intends to fight for his job.
Rangel already has a building full of enemies at the U.S. Capitol between Republicans who are using him as an election showpiece for corrupt government and fellow Democrats who don't want to defend him in their election races.
He doesn't need another sworn adversary in the White House.