Shep Smith: Will The Fact Rangel Is Black Make An Ethics Trial Harder?

video

by Glynnis MacNicol | 6:16 pm, July 28th, 2010

» 43 comments

Sometime tomorrow we’ll find out whether Rep. Charlie Rangel will become the subject of the latest media circus on the Hill. The House Ethics Committee will release its report — the result of a nearly two-years-long investigation — on Rangel’s alleged ethics violations. Depending on what the report says, or whether or not Rangel is able to strike a deal between now and then, the result could be a trial by a panel subcommittee in September. The first corruption trial in almost a decade; the last was for Jim Traficant (whose hair definitely may have been a prototype for Blago’s).

Today on Studio B Shep Smith and Juan Williams (side note: these two make a great pair) had a really interesting exchange over possibility of a trial, whether Rangel’s prosecution is racially charged (Rangel has said a trial was preferable to being “lynched”), and why not even the president has the ability to talk Rangel off the ledge (he doesn’t appear to think he’s on).

Says Williams: “You think of the political consequences as we go towards 2010 and the fall elections…It’s just bad news, everyone’s going to be watching, it’s going to be on TV.”

And then sort of randomly Shep speculates whether the fact Rangel is black will make the prosecution harder.

Responds Williams: “It makes it harder I think for everyone involved because he’s not only a dean of the Congressional Black Caucus, in some sense he’s dean of the Democrats in the House. I mean this guy’s been here for forty years, and he’s a nice man, people like Charlie Rangel. He’s got a reputation over those 40 years, coming from Harlem, working his way up to be the chief tax-writer for our nation.”

Williams also says that Rangel has been around so long he doesn’t believe he has a problem, despite the charges: “I always think the people I deal with in Washington, the politicians are ego-centric, ego-maniacal but I’ve never thought that about Charlie Rangel…he’s been there 40 years, he’s 80 years old, it would have to be the President of the United States and I’m not even sure he could convince Charlie Rangel [to step back for the good of the party] at this moment, I think Charlie’s in his own head.” Watch below.

Charlie Rangel, Juan Williams, Shep Smith

felixw

How would the fact that Rangel is black make a prosecution more difficult? I mean, it’s not like the Left would play the race card as a means of political gamesmanship and bullying. Nah, that never happens.
murf

Another race- baiting question by a liberal like Shemp .

Remember the progs on this site hate FOX but love Shemp !
Averreauxii

You idiots! It was an excellent question and he’s right, racial politics will play into the equation as answered by Juan.
Permatiltx

Averreauxii said:
You idiots! It was an excellent question and he’s right, racial politics will play into the equation as answered by Juan.

I agree. But it’s less about the fact that Rangel is black, more about the fact that his district is Harlem. I’m in New York and this story has been covered quite a bit. Recent man on the street interviews have been saying they don’t care about the ethics violations because of the good he’s done for the community. (He’s done a lot of good for the community by the way. Getting public funding, schools, etc.) But alas, ethics violations cannot be tolerated. And it’s certainly sad to see him get caught up in this. I doubt the left is going to play the race card, since they haven’t been giving him too much support and would like him to step down. Not to say the race card won’t be played, but it seems doubtful right now.
Azarkhan

” I doubt the left is going to play the race card”

No shit Sherlock. The Left only plays the race card against whites.
Permatiltx

Azarkhan said:
” I doubt the left is going to play the race card”

No shit Sherlock. The Left only plays the race card against whites.

Why didn’t you argue that point with Felix? He brought up the left playing the race card.
Iris

Asshat Khan /lanqui, Boo hoo hoo for the downtrodden white people, we’ve had such a terrible time in this world, being colonized, enslaved, institutionally segregated, put into concentration camps, ooh us poor white people what are we ever gonna do?? Blacks and Jews and Latinos have had their boot on our necks and held us down for so long Boo hoo hoo,
You white supremist Ass
ChiliPeppersFan

i didn’t really understand why he would ask that question unless he knew of the comment rangel made about being ‘lynched’. charlie seems like an all around good guy and like perma said he has done a lot in public service…but that picture of him on the beach in front of his villa…dude, what were you thinking? haha
Moderate

Rangel could shoot someone and his voters would continue voting for him by a 90% margin. It would be like prosecuting OJ or Michael Jackson.
http://gordonbloyershow.com gordonbloyershow

Rangle has always been a crook and a liar. He will never change. Adam Clayton Powell was a crook and a liar. If Adam Clayton Powell Jr. should defeat Rangle he will be a crook and a liar. It goes with the Harlem seat.
Iris

Yeah just like DICK cheney who did shoot someone,
ImJustThatDamnGood

Rangel is a thorn in the side of the Democrat party. What happen to being a team player? Admit you are wrong and go away.
ifpff

Have people lost their minds? I don’t care if he’s black, or if “people like him” just because he’s old, or helped his community. Since when does any of that elevate you above the law? The guy helped set up tax havens, evaded his own income taxes.. he’s a criminal!

It’s amazing they might let him get by with a settlement, i can see if maybe if it was just the income tax. but wow.

and that scummy smirk he gave Russert, and his attitude about it. The fact that he’s “in his own head”, or that the President couldn’t even grow the f**kin pair to toss this guy. What stops them?

Pete Rose did a lot for the Reds. So what. Throw John Kerry in there too.
Permatiltx

ifpff said:
The fact that he’s “in his own head”, or that the President couldn’t even grow the f**kin pair to toss this guy. What stops them?

So, you are okay with the president tossing someone out before they go to trial? Remember the innocent until proven guilty thing we used to believe in?
the real john t

Permatiltx said:
Remember the innocent until proven guilty thing we used to believe in?

OH! But that’s only if it’s a Repub.
the real john t

ifpff said:
the President couldn’t even grow the f**kin pair to toss this guy. What stops them?

You’re not to smart when it comes to politics are you? The President can’t toss anyone out of Congress. I know Bush left you RWers believing he could do anything when he was in office, but it was a BS lie.
Thomas J – Libertarian

It’s a good question. Rangle already through out the “lynching” BS so of course it makes it more difficult. With the way the left uses racism as their modern day McCarthyism no wonder people are nervous.

Rnagle, like other policitians regardless of party, is simply just another crook. I don’t care if he’s purple.
Thomas J – Libertarian

ifpff said:
Have people lost their minds? I don’t care if he’s black, or if “people like him” just because he’s old, or helped his community. Since when does any of that elevate you above the law? The guy helped set up tax havens, evaded his own income taxes.. he’s a criminal!

But Charlie is black…so that means if you criticize him you’re a racist. Man…..this leftie startegy is awesome.
Taxpayer: “Wow….maybe we shouldn’t have a $1.4 trillion spending deficit for one year.”
Lefties: “Racist….your a racist…you’re a racist…RACISTS…..”
Taypayer: “What? But I’m black…how am I a racist?”
Leftie: “Uncle-Tom…..you’re an uncle-tom”

It’s a simple but effective tactic, but it’s slowly losing its effect.
the real john t

Thomas J – Libertarian said:
But Charlie is black…so that means if you criticize him you’re a racist.

Seems to me the people that keep using the word racist on here is you RWers.
http://apostrophejones.com Apostrophe jones

Politicians . If you are corrupt , you know it . Stop . Don’t run again . Get out . Think of your family . Have a conscience . Go .
http://apostrophejones.com Apostrophe jones

Who cares what color ? Who cares what party ? Leave , or be exposed .
ChiliPeppersFan

shepard smith was the one who asked the question and now that i watch it again he seemed a bit suprised that rangel already used the word “lynched”…now why would shep smith even ask that question?…
it’s not a matter of race…it’s like thomas j said before he started sounding like a jerk, regardless of party..if you do something wrong, admit it and step down..
it really sucks that you spend so much time in dc, understand how things work there, but then get this sense of entitlement which makes you think you can do anything..
i don’t see a problem with term-limits
ImNotBlue

Iris says:
July 28, 2010 at 7:46 pm

Hmm… I’m surprised you didn’t bring up the fact that Rangel is old. Why not?

And where is Bootsy? Shouldn’t he be upset that Iris talked about race? Isn’t he going to accuse her of race baiting?

Hmmm.

the real john t says:
July 28, 2010 at 10:51 pm

Seems to me the people that keep using the word racist on here is you RWers.

Iris?
the real john t

Oh, and here we have ImNotSmart chiming in with his words of fake wisdom.
ImNotBlue

the real john t says:
July 28, 2010 at 11:10 pm

HI JOHN! How are you doing tonight? I’m ready to read your non-responses and insults!

Ready… set… go!
the real john t

ImNotBlue said:
I’m ready to read your non-responses and insults!

Why? You’ll just run away like you always do.
ImNotBlue

the real john t says:
July 28, 2010 at 11:22 pm

Why? Well, because it’s all you’ve got. If you had something worthwhile to say, I guess things would be different… but they’re not.

So come on… what’s the insult for tonight? That I don’t have a job? I’m fat? I’m on welfare? Come on… dig into your standard bag of insults, and start dishing. We’re all waiting to see the same thing we’ve seen before.
the real john t

ImNotBlue said:
That I don’t have a job? I’m fat? I’m on welfare?

Thank you for telling the truth. Now I’ll add you’re a hypocritcal asshole. You come on here and look for liberal comments and then you go into the attack mode with no substance to your comments.

You should move out of that glass house. You’ve heard about throwing stones…
ImNotBlue

the real john t says:
July 28, 2010 at 11:34 pm

OOOH! A NEW ONE!

John T says I’m a hypocrite for attacking others with no substance! Never mind the OBVIOUS hypocrisy from John T on that statement… but we have a NEW attack! HOORAY!

Nice job, John! But I have a feeling that isn’t it… is it? Come on, gimme at least one more insult!
the real john t

ImNotSmart said:
Come on, gimme at least one more insult!

Why, so you can run away crying?
ImNotBlue

the real john t says:
July 28, 2010 at 11:44 pm

No, come on John… that’s an old one. You can do better than that. I mean, we had fun last night when you determined me to be J$… as well as everyone else on the planet… but that was then, and this is now.

Come on… let’s hear a new insult! I expect more irrelevant conversation from you than just a rehashed insult.
the real john t

ImNotSmart said:
Why? Well, because it’s all you’ve got. If you had something worthwhile to say, I guess things would be different… but they’re not.

Can you even see your hypocrisy here? You want to attack me, but you have not said one worthwhile thing since you came on here.
ImNotBlue

the real john t says:
July 29, 2010 at 12:00 am

Didn’t you start by attacking me first? Come on, John… if this is the best you’ve got, well… I’m really disappointed.

Here I am, literally asking for your insults… and you’ve got nothing for me. Tough night, buddy?
the real john t

ImNotSmart said:
I’m really disappointed.

Well, I’m glad. Because I’m really getting tired of your hypocitical ass. You’re so dumb you’re not even worth responding to anymore.
ImNotBlue

the real john t says:
July 29, 2010 at 12:30 am

YAY! Now that’s a new one… kinda… close enough to new!

Thanks John! Made my night!
Some_Dude

Boy race is the new black.

Oh wait……
Thomas J – Libertarian

the real john t said:
Seems to me the people that keep using the word racist on here is you RWers.

Are you serious? The media consistently claims that if you basically disagree with the current government that you are some how racist.
notsofast

Come on, CBC, play the card- here is a great opportunity for you.
disgusted

trial(?) or “cover-up”?
Nachi

Oh Shep. Why don’t you take a strong laxative, ease yourself out of Hate News, and take your potential talents to a more postive world?? Instead of vomiting to the same inferior Little Tykes day after day?? Duh.
DrFunke

Yet another shining example where the right-wing brings up race then claims the left always brings it up

Idiots
http://none pyrope

Another proof that people get the government they deserve.

Will the fact that Rangel is black make it difficult to get a prosecution? No, it will make it impossible.
Averreauxii

felixw said:
How would the fact that Rangel is black make a prosecution more difficult? I mean, it’s not like the Left would play the race card as a means of political gamesmanship and bullying. Nah, that never happens.

murf said:
Another race- baiting question by a liberal like Shemp .

Remember the progs on this site hate FOX but love Shemp !

Here’s the thread for you wingnuts. You were wrong…..obviously.
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0810/40533.html