Maxine Waters and Charlie Rangel Ethics Charges – Politico Runs with Race Card

Both Maxine Waters and Charlie Rangel have come under the cloud of ethics charges from within Congress – a body of their peers, for allegations with legs. In both cases, months have gone by, and yet nothing came out of hearings until recently, unfortunately for the House Democrats, less than 100 days before a mid-term election, where they are trailing in polls. The committee that oversees house ethics is made up of equal parts Democrats and Republicans, and has brought ethics charges against peers, most often, with punishment no worse than a public (inside Congress) admonishment from their peers. That said, since the two national figures, Rangel and Waters have been brought up on charges, within a week of each other – over at Politicoit must be about race. The article, entitled: “Ethics Cases Raise Racial Questions”, points out the fact that both Maxine and Charlie are African-American – and that the last time anyone (they can recall) who was brought up on ethics charges, was New Gingrich (who was cleared of all wrong-doing, but not before he resigned).

Apparently, Politico has forgotten about Tom Delay , who faced ethics charges and was also cleared of any wrong-doing, but none-the-less resigned.
Could it be, that rather than Maxine and Charlie sharing a common background – that both have made errors in judgment that would be considered somewhat unethical – regardless of whether they are black, white, Asian or “other”. The article by Politico continues to name other recent cases where African-American’s got their hands caught in the proverbial “cookie jar” – most recent was Jesse Jackson Junior who was found to be less than truthful when it came to an Illinois Senate Seat for Sale.

The problem lays not with the fact that they are African American, (or any other racial or ethnic background) - the problem lays with the fact that they got caught – Timing in life being everything – the press is growing concerned that ethics violations by Waters and Rangel might, in some way, affect the outcome of the 2010 elections – that, according to polls taken over the past year, ship has sailed – the Democrats are trailing on Generic Congressional Ballots by an average of 4.8 points, with the latest polls shown an 11 point deficit (Real Clear Politics). It is obvious, therefore, that regardless of what charges may come down the pike for both Waters and Rangel, it would have little if any impact, as the general public appears to have made up its collective mind. It may be worth noting in specific races, as both Rangel and Waters face reelection in 2010 - but ethics charges do not necessarily equate, in Democrat terms, with a loss of one’s seat (See Barney Frank (D-MA).

It has become increasingly popular by both the media and the political class to charge “race” as soon as something that may impact public opinion rears its ugly head – unfortunately, calling “wolf” one time too many, has unintended consequences. The country now is more divided than at any other time in history – not only politically but racially and ethnically – with the daily media drumbeat of separatism rather than inclusion. It is articles such as this, which pulls American’s further apart, pits one group against another and does no good what-so-ever. Herein lays a fresh approach, both Rangel and Waters, being American Citizens, have allegations and charges pending regarding ethics violations – it is personal responsibility rather than any other lesson that should be brought to the public, specifically by the media.

Move over Charlie, Maxine Water Next Democrat to Face Ethics Charges

CA 35th District (and up for relection in 2010)Maxine Waters, faces ethics charges - image frontpagemag

According to the AP, anonymous sources (those not authorized to speak), have indicated that Congressional Representative, Maxine Waters, will be charged next week for Congressional Ethics violations. Waters, (D-CA), allegedly gave special consideration to One United Bank of Boston, when they went looking for Federal aid, a conflict developed because her husband was not only on the Board and also owned stock in the same.

Meanwhile, the Presidenthas called the Rangel case “Troubling” according to the AP, and several (about one half dozen) Democrats would like to see Rangel step down. Charges brought by the bi-partisan ethics committee (members made up of equal parts Democrats and Republicans), this late into the mid-term election cycle are considered by some to be problematic for the Democrats as a whole. However, with everything else that is polling negative for the beleaguered party, it is merely a drop in the bucket.

That is when compared to the angst over employment, the deficit, looming possibility of hyper inflation, the border issue, specifically the Feds handling of Arizona’s SB 1070, the Health Care Reform Bill, pending energy bills, the Financial overhaul, which has created a monstrous DC bureaucracy, and a populace that no longer trusts the media either print or broadcast news (See Gallop poll on Institutions) the list goes on. Adding ethics charges comes as no surprise to the populace, and will have little effect, from this perspective on the 2010 general elections. The anti-incumbent feeling is so strong, that little can be done, especially at this point, to stave off retirement for Democrats in the Senate and specifically the House.

Maxine Waters, like Charlie Rangel, is up for reelection in 2010. She is not running uncontested – Republican Bruce Brown, Republican will be challenging Maxine for her seat. To learn more about Bruce Brown visit: www.bbrownforcongress.com.