Charlie Rangel puts his foot in his mouth

[Barry Ramey]

That's not good the democrats are already showing a snobbish attitude. And they wonder why they struggle to get votes in the South when it comes to electing a president.

November 11, 2006
Mississippians Rise Up Over Rangel’s Comment
By ANTHONY RAMIREZ

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/11/nyregion/11rangel.html?ei=5065&en=d2f60ca29b53d386&ex=1163912400&partner=MYWAY&pagewanted=print

It was a remark, says Representative Charles B. Rangel, uttered with regional pride rather than rancor. But he apologized nonetheless.

On Wednesday, the day after the Democrats won a House majority, Mr. Rangel, the Harlem Democrat poised to become chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, which writes tax legislation, talked about winning back more of the tax revenue that New York State sends to the Treasury. He said, “Mississippi gets more than their fair share back in federal money, but who the hell wants to live in Mississippi?”

Apparently, a lot of people do, and they are not shy about saying so.

Charles W. Pickering Jr., a Mississippi Republican and a colleague of Mr. Rangel’s, was the first to publicly take umbrage. He reacted as if he and his state had been slapped with a glove.

“Mr. Rangel owes the people of Mississippi an apology,” he said in a statement. “I hope his remarks are not the kind of insults, slander and defamation that Mississippians will come to expect from the Democrat leadership in Washington, D.C.”

Mr. Pickering, who is from Laurel, Miss., marched to his peroration.

“From the coast to the Delta to the Pine Belt to the hills and across Mississippi,” he said, “there is beauty in every city, charity in every heart, love in every church, and majesty in every countryside.”

In Jackson, the state capital, Mr. Rangel’s remarks were discussed on local television and talk radio, said David Hampton, who edits the editorial page at The Clarion-Ledger. “A lot of it was post-election Republicans saying the evil Democrats this and that and a-ha, we told you so,” he said. “Mississippi sort of has an inferiority complex.”

Mr. Hampton said he had received about a dozen letters to the editor and five comments on his editorial page blog, and some of it was genuine outrage.

In a letter to the editor, Wendy Barthe Peavy of Biloxi wrote: “Congressman Rangel: As a proud Mississippian and resident of the Katrina-ravaged Gulf Coast, I would be happy to tell you ‘who the hell wants to live in Mississippi.’

“I will not waste your time with the litany of world-class writers, artists, athletes, entertainers, scientists, surgeons, astronauts, musicians, soldiers and statesmen who have called Mississippi home,” she wrote. “I will tell you of the 93,000 people still housed in FEMA trailers due to the loss of over 10,000 apartment units and over 150,000 homes to Hurricane Katrina.”

She concluded, “Congressman Rangel, these people went through hell to live in Mississippi!”

Told of Representative Pickering’s comments, Mr. Rangel said he was sorry. “I certainly don’t mean to offend anyone,” he said in a statement issued Thursday. “I just love New York so much that I can’t understand why everyone wouldn’t want to live here.” Attempts to reach him by telephone and e-mail for further comment were unsuccessful.

Some Mississippians were skeptical about the regional chauvinism explanation.

“I don’t know if he was joking,” said Debbie Crapps, 46, who lives in Florence and works as a manager at Homer’s Barbeque Store in Jackson.

“I think it was a bad thing to say,” Ms. Crapps said in a telephone interview. “He doesn’t live in Mississippi, he doesn’t know anything about us. A lot of people here have a lot to say about it because we’re not a big city like New York City. We are humans. We don’t think that’s right.”

But Mr. Pickering, at least, was prepared to let bygones be bygones. In a statement yesterday, he said Mississippians were “quick to forgive a sincere person.”

Beyond the bruised feelings, there were some fears that Mississippi’s needs would be ignored by a Northerner in a powerful position. In his editorial page blog, Mr. Hampton wrote that Mississippi would have to adjust to Mr. Rangel.

“Regional insults aside,” Mr. Hampton wrote, “the more serious issue is Rangel will head the powerful Ways and Means Committee at a time when there already is reluctance to continue to address Katrina-recovery needs and a perception that Mississippi got more than it should have in recovery funds.”

He said Mississippi’s Democrats in the House, Bennie Thompson and Gene Taylor, “have their job cut out for them,” and added, “They might start with a visit to Mr. Rangel.”

[Spider]

ROFL! A bush supporter talking about how someone else speaks ........ My sides hurt

[spdirty]

lol, I lived in Mississippi for 16 months. Couldn't agree more with Rangel. Mississippi SUCKS!!!

[Barry Ramey]

A bed buddy of John Kerry's talking about anything :rofl:

ROFL! A bush supporter talking about how someone else speaks ........ My sides hurt

[SteveTensi13]

Liberal elitism rears its ugly head yet again!

[gunns]

Liberal elitism rears its ugly head yet again!

Yeah after living with Republican elitism towards the entire country for 6 years and ignoring it, must have come as a huge surprise to you. While it shouldn't have been said he does represent NY and he was right.

[Spider]

A bed buddy of John Kerry's talking about anything :rofl:

Ha! lets just face it boy , the american people have spoken and they said enough of Rednecks running our country , We have record spending , outing CIA agents , Republicans molesting Kids ......... all in the day of a trailor park in mississippi ..........So Child molesting supporters like yourself are where you belong , on the outside looking in ..... Enjoy the view fool Hilarious!

[Bronco_Beerslug]

lol, I lived in Mississippi for 16 months. Couldn't agree more with Rangel. Mississippi SUCKS!!!You Republicans aren't suppose to bash your base like that.

[defenseman]

To be honest, I'm hoping the folks here feel what Rangle said was wrong. An elected official, no matter what party they are from, shouldn't be singling out a group like this. He apologized publically, I'm willing to let it drop as long as it doesn't rear it's ugly head again. And if you haven't been there, short of some gambling spots, I find alot of mississippi an undesirable area. But, I'd never put the folks that live there down for keeping their residence there...dman

*NYC? I absolutely DO NOT like it. You couldn't pay me enough to live there. However, lots of folks like it, good for them. Upstate New York? Absolutely beautiful. Live there in a second, but the taxes are ridiculous. Considered retiring there to be honest till I took a good hard look at the taxes. And I get a break on the military retirement, and it's still more than lots of states.

[Rohirrim]

I don't see any reason whatsover for the Dems to give a flying f*** about Mississippi. They'll never squeeze a vote out of them for anything. Since the Dems are the new fiscal conservatives, why keep shoving money at that perpetual welfare state? ;D

[defenseman]

I don't see any reason whatsover for the Dems to give a flying **** about Mississippi. They'll never squeeze a vote out of them for anything. Since the Dems are the new fiscal conservatives, why keep shoving money at that perpetual welfare state? ;D

They had better, they are part of the united states JUST LIKE New York and California. Then again, California is a disaster for most republicans. Guess they shouldn't give two s**ts about them should they? Doesn't matter, if they are part of these United States, we should worry about them....dman

*Votes? Is that all mississippi is votes? Sad indeed.

[defenseman]

I don't see any reason whatsover for the Dems to give a flying **** about Mississippi. They'll never squeeze a vote out of them for anything. Since the Dems are the new fiscal conservatives, why keep shoving money at that perpetual welfare state? ;D

And if someone on capitol hill said this about YOUR state? Would you be upset? I know it would bend me a bit to say the least. All should be addressed, or none addressed. There shouldn't be any question about that..dman

[Rohirrim]

They had better, they are part of the united states JUST LIKE New York and California. Then again, California is a disaster for most republicans. Guess they shouldn't give two s**ts about them should they? Doesn't matter, if they are part of these United States, we should worry about them....dman

*Votes? Is that all mississippi is votes? Sad indeed.

I thought you'd been around long enough to know... the little smiley face means "JOKE." On the other hand, it's a little ridiculous to think that Wyoming and Miss. get more in Homeland Security funds than New York, don't you think? Hmmmm, couldn't be sheer, unadulterated politics determining where that money goes, could it? Maybe Rangel is just letting the South know that the shoe is on the other foot now?

[defenseman]

I thought you'd been around long enough to know... the little smiley face means "JOKE." On the other hand, it's a little ridiculous to think that Wyoming and Miss. get more in Homeland Security funds than New York, don't you think? Hmmmm, couldn't be sheer, unadulterated politics determining where that money goes, could it? Maybe Rangel is just letting the South know that the shoe is on the other foot now?

Rangel had better be careful about how he does it. It appeared as if he was looking "down his nose" at them to be honest. He too will pay if he goes to far off the edge. Homeland security is what it is. They have their bench marks, they divvy up the money, there you go. Fact of the matter is , many in NYC believe the sun rises and sets because of them. That is the furthest thing from the truth. California, same self perception problem. That's just me though. Besides, NYC will raise their "taxes" to get whatever they need, all the folks there will continue to pay through the nose. that mentality will be coming to a town near you, give it a little time, and all our taxes will be going up for the same reason. All, not just the rich...dman

[Rohirrim]

Rangel had better be careful about how he does it. It appeared as if he was looking "down his nose" at them to be honest. He too will pay if he goes to far off the edge. Homeland security is what it is. They have their bench marks, they divvy up the money, there you go. Fact of the matter is , many in NYC believe the sun rises and sets because of them. That is the furthest thing from the truth. California, same self perception problem. That's just me though. Besides, NYC will raise their "taxes" to get whatever they need, all the folks there will continue to pay through the nose. that mentality will be coming to a town near you, give it a little time, and all our taxes will be going up for the same reason. All, not just the rich...dman

You obviously aren't aware of how the GOP leaders in Washington have been treating the Dems for the past 14 years. They haven't been "looking down their noses" at them. No. They've been sh****** on them. Anyone who would give Miss. more homeland security funds than NY is an out and out boob. I see you're still reciting the neocon talking points. I guess it's hard to turn off that loop, once it gets going. Rangel will be just fine. I'm sure he knows exactly who he's dealing with and exactly what to do with them. As chairman of Ways and Means, they can now dance to his tune. Or shut up. ;D

[defenseman]

You obviously aren't aware of how the GOP leaders in Washington have been treating the Dems for the past 14 years. They haven't been "looking down their noses" at them. No. They've been sh****** on them. Anyone who would give Miss. more homeland security funds than NY is an out and out boob. I see you're still reciting the neocon talking points. I guess it's hard to turn off that loop, once it gets going. Rangel will be just fine. I'm sure he knows exactly who he's dealing with and exactly what to do with them. As chairman of Ways and Means, they can now dance to his tune. Or shut up. ;D

We will see. I personally don't care for the man, but I'm willing to give him a chance to succeed or fail, whichever he decides...dman

*Reprisals and vindictiveness will get you or them nothing but heartaches. He wasn't elected to be vindictive, he was elected to do a job. I expect him to do it. If his or anyone else's methods on the hill decay to the point of "payback"? I wouldn't bet on them getting re-elected. The repubs will make such actions very very public. The american people didn't put them their to fix their bruised egos, but to execute their collective duties and responsibilities. There is no room for that garbage anymore...dman

[Rohirrim]

We will see. I personally don't care for the man, but I'm willing to give him a chance to succeed or fail, whichever he decides...dman

*Reprisals and vindictiveness will get you or them nothing but heartaches. He wasn't elected to be vindictive, he was elected to do a job. I expect him to do it. If his or anyone else's methods on the hill decay to the point of "payback"? I wouldn't bet on them getting re-elected. The repubs will make such actions very very public. The american people didn't put them their to fix their bruised egos, but to execute their collective duties and responsibilities. There is no room for that garbage anymore...dman

And what job were the Republicans hired to do for the last six years? How'd they do? So the Dems should turn the other cheek? How magnanimous of you! I'm sure you were outspoken when Delay and Lott and Frist and Hastert were putting their heels to the Dems necks and shoving their faces in the mud, right? Ha! It's really sweet of you to give Rangel a chance. I'm sure it matters deeply to him and the district that has kept voting him in for over thirty years. Nobody is talking about being vindictive. Of course not. It's just time for the GOP to learn a new tune. I suggest they put some taps on their shoes. They'll be doing some dancing. :wiggle:

Personally, I love Charlie. He cracks me up. He's one of the very few people on Capitol Hill with a sense of humor.

[defenseman]

And what job were the Republicans hired to do for the last six years? How'd they do? So the Dems should turn the other cheek? How magnanimous of you! I'm sure you were outspoken when Delay and Lott and Frist and Hastert were putting their heels to the Dems necks and shoving their faces in the mud, right? Ha! It's really sweet of you to give Rangel a chance. I'm sure it matters deeply to him and the district that has kept voting him in for over thirty years. Nobody is talking about being vindictive. Of course not. It's just time for the GOP to learn a new tune. I suggest they put some taps on their shoes. They'll be doing some dancing. :wiggle:

Personally, I love Charlie. He cracks me up. He's one of the very few people on Capitol Hill with a sense of humor.

So on bad turn deserves another? More partisan politics, complete waste of time. they'll get more mileage with just being an effective legislative body. If they can't do that, they'll be gone in 08, simple as that..dman

[Barry Ramey]

Looks like lefties want politics as usual and wanting change was just a bunch of BS.

[Rohirrim]

Looks like lefties want politics as usual and wanting change was just a bunch of BS.

I think, as usual, the GOP has FUBARed the whole damn place, and once again, the Dems have to go clean it up. It's remarkable how people look at it though. The GOP screws it up backwards and forwards and the American people don't seem to blame them at all. But if the Dems don't go in there and act like perfect gentlemen, treat those who have trashed them for years with complete respect, and finally, repair the entire, stinking mess the GOP has caused - and do it without raising taxes - the American people are going to blame them? Sounds to me like unreasonable expectations are busting out all over.

[defenseman]

I think, as usual, the GOP has FUBARed the whole damn place, and once again, the Dems have to go clean it up. It's remarkable how people look at it though. The GOP screws it up backwards and forwards and the American people don't seem to blame them at all. But if the Dems don't go in there and act like perfect gentlemen, treat those who have trashed them for years with complete respect, and finally, repair the entire, stinking mess the GOP has caused - and do it without raising taxes - the American people are going to blame them? Sounds to me like unreasonable expectations are busting out all over.

Being vindictive, will get them un-elected. Correct. Buy in or not they will. They get things on the right track, without fanfare and vindictiveness, they've gauranteed themselves at least one more term. I hope they are successful. However, I have my doubts on taxes at least. Think they'll try to sell a bill of goods, and get toasted hard on it..dman

*We certianly will see though. Good luck to them.

[TailgateNut]

Being vindictive, will get them un-elected. Correct. Buy in or not they will. They get things on the right track, without fanfare and vindictiveness, they've gauranteed themselves at least one more term. I hope they are successful. However, I have my doubts on taxes at least. Think they'll try to sell a bill of goods, and get toasted hard on it..dman

*We certianly will see though. Good luck to them.


Being vindictive did not get the Repubs "un-elected". Screwing everything they put their dick-skinners on got them "un-elected". The majority of Americans realized (finally) that un-controlled power is a virus which spreads rampantly when released.
Mr Smirk made it clear that he didn't give a **** about anything but his own agenda. Now that control off the house and senate has changed hands, all of the repubs wants the democrats to play like nice little children. That wont happen. They better be ready for some "pay-back". I think the democrats have seen how the public views uncontrolled governing, and will not charge full steam ahead with that type of mindset, but I also believe a few heads will roll in the process of righting this ship!

[SteveTensi13]

Democrats; party before country. Same old line.

[orangenblue2]

I think Rangel's quote was funny...ROFL!

[TailgateNut]

Democrats; party before country. Same old line.

Contrary to the Repukes: "wallet before country".

[bendog]

I think Rangel's quote was funny...ROFL!

Me too, and I live down there. LOL

[spdirty]

You Republicans aren't suppose to bash your base like that.

Well, I agree with him. Hell I did a remote just to get the hell out of there. When I was in Columbus, all there was to do was, well, fish, ummmmmm, watch wrestling, lets see here, oh, one time after Alabama lost me and a buddy of mine drove to Tuscaloosa and drove around the Bama campus yelling "Alabama Sucks!" That was pretty eventful. Its also pretty easy to get laid as well. Rangels right, I mean damn Mississippi friggin sucks.