Will Target Dems Uphold the “Integrity Of the Institution” Or Hang On to Rangel’s Tainted Cash?

FYI, a version of the release below went out to the following incumbent and challenger districts: Jason Altmire (PA-04); John Barrow (GA-12); Melissa Bean (IL-08); Sanford Bishop (GA-02); John Boccieri (OH-16); Leonard Boswell (IA-03); Allen Boyd (FL-02); Bruce Braley (IA-01); Ben Chandler (KY-06); Jim Costa (CA-20); Lincoln Davis (TN-04); Steve Driehaus (OH-01); Chet Edwards (TX-17); Joe Garcia (FL-25); Debbie Halvorson (IL-11); Martin Heinrich (NM-01); Brian Higgins (NY-27); Baron Hill (IN-09); Tim Holden (PA-17); Steve Kagen (WI-08); Paul Kanjorski (PA-11); Larry Kissell (NC-08); Rick Larsen (WA-02); Dan Maffei (NY-25); Jim Marshall (GA-08); Jim Matheson (UT-02); Michael McMahon (NY-13); Michael Michaud (ME-02); Walt Minnick (ID-01); Patrick Murphy (PA-08); Earl Pomeroy (ND-AL); Ciro Rodriguez (TX-23); Mike Ross (AR-04); John Salazar (CO-03); Kurt Schrader (OR-05); Dan Seals (IL-10); Heath Shuler (NC-11); John Spratt (SC-05); Harry Teague (NM-02) and David Wu (OR-01).

Washington– As the Charlie Rangel soap opera continues, House Democrats like Earl Pomeroy are being forced to make a game time decision: Will they uphold the “integrity of the institution” they were elected to or hold on to Rangel’s dirty money? Despite recently being charged with violations by a House ethics panel, Pomeroy seems to have no problem filling his campaign coffers with $30,000 of Rangel’s tainted money. And as Rangel’s transgressions continue to come to light, divided Democrats are finding themselves caught between a rock and a hard place as they are forced to choose sides.

“By hanging on to $30,000 of Rangel’s dirty campaign contributions, Earl Pomeroy is choosing to turn a blind eye to the corruption problem that is running rampant through the ranks of the Democratic Party in Washington,” said NRCC Communications Director Ken Spain. “While divided Democrats are forced to pick sides as the Charlie Rangel soap opera throws their caucus into disarray, will they choose to uphold the ‘integrity of the institution’ or follow the sinking ship? And with judgment day just around the corner for Rangel, Pomeroy will finally be forced to make a game time decision.”

“There’s a lot riding on Rangel’s decisions — for him, his party and the integrity of the institution he has served in since 1971. If he doesn’t resign, Democratic lawmakers and aides said, he’ll very likely face a cavalcade of public calls for his resignation once the ethics committee’s ‘Statement of Alleged Violation’ is made public…

“Republicans have made his campaign contributions to other lawmakers an issue in races across the country, and they point to him as evidence that Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s House isn’t clean.

“Rangel knows it’s just business for Democrats who have to come out against him: He advised the same junior Democrat to ‘protect yourself.’” (Jonathan Allen and John Bresnahan, “Rangel to Dems: Drop Me if You Must,” Politico, 7/28/2010)

Facing an already turbulent political environment, Rangel’s ethical storm may prove “disastrous” for House Democrats in November’s upcoming election:

“The timing of Rep. Charles Rangel’s (D-N.Y.) public House ethics trial has House Democrats panicked and ethics watchdogs puzzled. Democrats are worried the unusual and high-profile trial will cost the party seats in the fall by undermining Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s (D-Calif.) argument that she is running the most ethical House in history…”

“Party strategists were wringing their hands late this week over the news about the spectacle of a public trial of Rangel’s ethics charges and the disastrous impact it could have on voters’ perceptions of Democrats before an election that could hand control of the House to Republicans.” (Susan Crabtree, “Rangel proceeding worries Dems and puzzles ethics experts,” The Hill, 7/24/2010)