Democratic Rep. Charles Rangel of New York may soon be headed for a House Ethics investigation, which could be career ending. Democratic Gov. David Paterson of New York is so unpopular in his state that an expected loss for him in 2010 could be career ending. And Republicans are licking their chops at the possibilities in both situations. What to do? Democratic operatives believe they have a solution.
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According to reports, a plan is in the works that would allow Rangel to step down mid-term so as to save face, enabling Paterson to call a special election. Next, Manhattan’s Democratic leaders would back Paterson to run for Rangel’s seat, clearing the way for NY Attorney General Andrew Cuomo to run for Governor. So Rangel would be out, Paterson would be shuffled, and Cuomo would be in. Voila! Every Democrat from Barack Obama on down would be happy and able to breathe a big sigh of relief.
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Of course this rather ambitious plan hinges on Rangel’s willingness to give up his very valuable seat as Chairman of the House Ways and Means committee, which isn’t something he appears interested in, no matter how many ethics probes he faces. One veteran Harlem Democrat had this to say: “As long as he’s got Ways & Means, Charlie’s not giving that seat up; you’ll have to pry it from his cold, dead hands. But if Pelosi removes him, well, then it’s not such a weird idea. The problem is anybody breathing and under the age of 70 will want that seat.”
Gov. Patterson has reportedly told confidants in the past that he never wanted to be Governor. He believed Hillary Clinton would win the presidency, opening the possibility for him to be appointed to her seat in the Senate, which he coveted. If this plan works (and is legitimate), it would get Paterson to Capitol Hill where he desires; would spare him a likely embarrassing defeat for Governor; would prevent him from bucking the President and running for office without White House support; would clear a path for almost certain victory for Andrew Cuomo to become Governor; would offer Congressman Rangel a way out without being forced out; and would make President Obama a very happy man. Now if only everybody who’s been waiting in line for Rangel’s seat would just cooperate…
Sounds like a plan to me.
As you said DJ:
“Every Democrat from Barack Obama on down would be happy and able to breathe a big sigh of relief.”
And if it takes Pelosi taking Rangel's Chairman's seat from him to prompt him to GO AWAY_so be it.
The truth is, I’ve had a rather low opinion of Charlie Rangel for quite some time and with the all of the ethical “problems” swirling around him now, I say it’s time to “check” him and show him to the door.
Oh and umm…if the Congressional Black Caucus doesn’t like it???
TOUGH.