Rangel Blasts Obama, While More Rally to Rangel's and Waters' Defense

After Rep. Charles Rangel's speech at Columbia University, he directly took on President Obama's call that he retire with "dignity." Speaking to reporters outside the event, Rangel slapped down any notion that he should quit. "I don't know why the President of these great United States would say something like that," Rangel declared. "I guess he believes 80 is old."

Meanwhile, the backlash against Obama's and Pelosi's Jim Crow witchhunt against Rangel and Rep. Maxine Waters continues. A couple of the latest examples:

* Bloomberg/Business Week is circulating an article entitled "Rangel Ethics Case Leaves Voters in New York's Harlem Unfazed." It cites a 125th St. street vendor saying that what voters will remember is how Rangel helped them. "My sister was facing eviction with three kids, and his office made one phone call and got her a place she's been living at for 15 years," he said. The article reports that Rangel is credited by Harlem leaders such as Reverend Reginald Williams, president of the Harlem-based Addicts Rehabilitation Center, with funneling economic, educational and social aid to Harlem, for new schools, improved infrastructure, jobs programs and funding for drug, AIDS and homeless programs—which all came about because of Rangel's influence in Congress. "Charlie's been not only the leadership and the voice for Harlem, but also the voice and conscience of America," Williams said. "We need his leadership and his seniority and his relationships."

* "Maxine Waters, We the People Love You" was posted on OpEdNews by the unnamed chair of a liberal Democratic club, who calls Waters "a hero who is always fighting for the people." Waters fought against seating Florida's electors in 2000, and against Bush's Ohio electors in 2005; she voted against Patriot Act, war spending, etc. Her concern for the people led her to help get funding for one of the few banks that lend to African-Americans in her district. The charges against her "are racist politicking at its worst," writes the blogger, noting that Nancy Pelosi has gotten over $100,000 from AIPAC, but that Maxine Waters turns down contributions from those organizations that expect Congressional favors.