Under the bus: Obama finds Rangel charges “very troubling,” hopes he ends career “with dignity” July 31, 2010
Posted by seeineye in : Politics , 1 comment so farby Allahpundit
I … was unaware that Rangel was in the process of ending his career. Also unaware? Charlie Rangel.
Hey, remember that scene in “Godfather II” when Michael kissed Fredo?
“I think Charlie Rangel served a very long time and served– his constituents very well. But these– allegations are very troubling,” Obama told Harry Smith in an interview to be aired on the “Early Show.” and first broadcast on the CBS Evening News with Katie Couric.
“And he’ll– he’s somebody who’s at the end of his career. Eighty years old. I’m sure that– what he wants is to be able to– end his career with dignity. And my hope is that– it happens.”
A krazy kwestion for you: Now that House investigators have gone face-first into the tank by dealing Rangel a teensy wrist slap over 13 separate ethics charges, why would The One float a soundbite this ominous? He’s pouring gas on a fire that’s just started to fizzle. Maybe the interview was taped earlier this afternoon, before he’d heard that nothing more than a reprimand had been recommended to the ethics subcommittee? If so, that’s significant in itself, as it suggests that even Obama expected something more draconian. Exit question: Never mind what happens to Rangel at this point. Does the “very troubling” line here give the GOP its golden attack-ad soundbite for the fall?
Democracy and Power 108: Obfuscation July 31, 2010
Posted by seeineye in : Politics , 1 comment so far
Wherever politics intrudes upon economic life, political success is readily attained by saying what people like to hear rather than what is demonstrably true. Instead of safeguarding truth and honesty, the state then tends to become a major source of insincerity and mendacity. – Hans F. Sennholz
Knowing their constituents are rationally ignorant, and fearing legislated failures, the politician’s speech is seldom precise or logically reasoned. Seeking a favorable image, the politician talks in generalities, exaggerates and obfuscates.
