Gov. David Paterson said he doesn’t think a resolution seeking to have U.S. Rep. Charlie Rangel, D-Harlem, to step aside as chairman of the House’s Ways and Means Committee was appropriate. Rangel is being investigated for failing to pay some of his taxes and other allegations of ethical violations.
“They have an ethical committee. They are examining him,” the governor said after a Brooklyn event yesterday.
“This has happened many times in the house, where ethical committees have examined the conduct of individuals and when that occurs, we wait for the ethical comittee to come back with a determination,” he said.
Paterson was asked if yesterday’s efforts to get Rangel to step aside were “partisan politics” and the governor said he believed so. Lawmakers voted to send the GOP resolution to the Ethics Committee, essentially defeating it for now.
“It’s a headline based on someone that’s having problems. Both parties have done it and it’s wrong whenever anyone does it,” he said.
When a reporter asked if Paterson would be interested in Rangel’s job, should it become available, the governor said, “You must be kidding. No.”
Paterson is running for election to a four-year term as governor next year, although his approval ratings are under 20 percent and he has been encouraged by fellow Democrats and President Obama’s administration to drop out.
(AP photo)
