Charlie Rangel’s Birthday Fundraiser Sounds Like It Was A Blast

video

by Steve Krakauer | 9:58 am, August 12th, 2010

» 7 comments

Just two days after his jaw-dropping 30-minute speech on the House floor regarding his pending ethics trial, Rep. Charlie Rangel was back in New York to celebrate his 80th birthday with a politically star-studded fundraiser.

Despite the fact that his birthday was in June (and, you know, those ethics charges) everyone seemed to be celebrating in good spirits – including Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Rev. Al Sharpton and Rangel himself.

Bloomberg joked: “I know a few people couldn’t be here tonight, because as they tell it, either they had to get a haircut unexpectedly, or they were sure they’d have a headache. But Charlie, as you know, they were with you as long as they could be.”

Sharpton turned his attention to the media in attendance. “You have started and executed a political execution, but stay tuned for the political resurrection,” he said, to cheers from the crowd.

When Rangel got to the microphone, he noted “this damn sure ain’t no funeral!”

Here are more details from Politico:

Rangel’s campaign said it had sold out the event’s roughly 800 tickets (though slightly fewer than that attended). Guests munched on buffet-style meals of beef, seasoned vegetables and risotto (there was also a Kosher table). Rangel blew out candles on a massive birthday cake.

The event had been plagued by bad news and expectations of weakened attendance in the leadup to it. Even the headliner, Aretha Franklin, had to cancel thanks to an injury. Dionne Warwick filled in and sang a few songs, including “That’s What Friends Are For.”

That what friends are for, indeed.

Joe Scarborough, discussing the party: “I’ve always liked Charlie, he’s an American hero, his story in the Korean War. He’s guilty as hell, but it was very moving.”

Happy birthday Charlie! What’d you wish for? Here’s Morning Joe‘s segment on it this morning:

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

—–
» Follow Steve Krakauer on Twitter

Al Sharpton, Charlie Rangel, joe scarborough, Mayor Bloomberg, morning joe, msnbc, Rep. Charlie Rangel, Rev. Al Sharpton

http://apostrophejones.com Apostrophe jones

Charlie’s got a gold watch , don’t seem like a whole lot ; After 40 years of drivin’ …up the cost of …everything .
notsofast

How much of a cut of the take did Charlie get?
timzank

Was there a file in the birthday cake?
jimw1016

Vote them ALL “POLITICIANS” (thieves and liars) out of office. They are a universal embarrassment to the world, they make the USA look like the shit hole they have caused it to become!
http://gordonbloyershow.com gordonbloyershow

Bloomberg has to be one of dumbest elected officials in the World. Charlie is a crook and liar.
Charlie claims he is not corrupt. When he was elected he was not rich. Today he is a millionaire. Duh.

In other news Dirty Harry Reid said he had no idea why any Hispanic would be a republican.
Well Harry, I did a video about why NO one with a brain would be a democrat.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RrfHdqUN2XE
brokenheart

I bet our tax money helped pay for his big birthday bash too! I hope he gets some jail time along with Waters. They can keep each other company.
http://none pyrope

Anyone want some action as to whether or not he’ll ever do a stretch in the slammer? I predict he will live under house arrest because of his “declining health,” and will never have to post bail if he’s ever arrested; he will be released on recognizance. I also predict that none of his ill-gotten gains will be returned to the swindled taxpayers.