Democratic leaders and major party donors plan to hold a lavish 80th birthday gala for Charlie (Yez got nuttin' on me, coppers!) Rangel at The Plaza Hotel in Manhattan next month, despite 13 ethics charges pending against the veteran lawmaker. | Gubernatorial candidate Andrew Cuomo and New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg are also listed as featured guests, according to an invitation viewed by The Hill. |
Gubernatorial candidate Andrew Cuomo and Hizzoner Michael "No smoking, dammit!" Bloomberg are also listed as featured guests, according to an invitation viewed by The Hill.
Some potential guests received the invitation a day after the House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct issued a report accusing Rangel of multiple ethics violations.
While some Democrats think Rangel has become politically radioactive in Washington, the invitation lists a variety of enticements to get people to show up to his birthday bash and contribute to his campaign.
Aretha Franklin, the "Queen of Soul," will serenade them and guests who pony up $200, $500, $1,000 or $2,500 for tickets. The funds will go to the Rangel Victory Fund, a campaign account.
The 2010 Rangel Birthday Gala is planned for August 11th despite the fact that Rangel's actual birthday is June 11th.
Black Entertainment Television founder Robert L. Johnson and Ken Raske, president and CEO of the Greater New York Hospital Association and Rabbi Arthur Schneier, a prominent advocate for human rights and religious freedom, are listed among the chairs of the event.
It remains to be seen whether the leaders of the New York Democratic Party will stay in Rangel's corner when a growing number of Democrats in Washington are backing away from him.
It'll be interesting to see how many of the invitees have to wash their hair that night.