Rangel To Urban League: "We Can't Give Up, Or Give In"

Rep. Charles Rangel sent a strong, if indirect, message that he will continue to fight against the assault coming from Wall Street and the Obama team, in a short presentation before the Urban League. While neither his introducer, nor Rangel, explicitly mentioned the railroad which he is facing, which is scheduled to escalate with a presentation to the Ethics Committee on July 29, the Congressman made it clear that he is not caving in.

Rangel began by acknowledging the strong sense of support he was getting from the League's leaders. He then concentrated on the question of employment, as an indicator of where America is going. In his conclusion, he struck the note of defiance: "Whether it's personal or political, we all know that life is not a crystal sphere," he said. "But we can't give up or give in." He then said that we have to stand together at the end of the day with "dignity and honor." He was very well received.

While he has been under excruciating pressure, Rangel has consistently told the press that he has not made a deal. He told the Hill, in response to a question as to whether the ethics hearing would go forward, "Yes.... [C]ompared to being lynched, I would rather go through Thursday."

Of course, as Lyndon LaRouche noted, if Rangel did make a deal, he would continue to be lynched — that's just the nature of the bastards who are out to get him. LaRouche emphasized that Rangel has to fight, and he expects he will.

While Rangel is being supported by the leadership of the Black Caucus, two Democratic Congressmen (Barbara Sutton of Ohio and Walt Minnick of Idaho) have called for him to resign. Senior California Democrat George Miller told the New York Post that "I think it's best that he settle." No one, other than LPAC, has so far raised the question of selective prosecution, as indicated in the case of that tax-delinquent Timothy Geithner, currently ensconced in the Treasury.