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2010-08-01 Home Front: Politix

Dem leaders, donors to hold Rangel birthday bash at The Plaza

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.

Lobbyists and other party donors received invitations this week to join Sens. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) and New York Gov. David Paterson at one of New York's finest hotels to celebrate Rangel's birthday.

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.

Posted by Fred 2010-08-01 00:00|| || Front Page|| [11133 views ] Top

#1 A rousing sendoff?

Posted by Whiskey Mike 2010-08-01 03:06|| 2010-08-01 03:06|| Front Page Top

#2 This proves that Charlie isn't beholden to lobbyists. I guess I wrong about him.

Posted by Formerly Dan 2010-08-01 09:12|| 2010-08-01 09:12|| Front Page Top

#3 Bring a food-taster, Chollie.

Posted by Pappy 2010-08-01 13:43|| 2010-08-01 13:43|| Front Page Top

#4 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.

I see at least some in the Jewish community remain in denial.

Posted by Besoeker 2010-08-01 14:06|| 2010-08-01 14:06|| Front Page Top

#5 They'll be sitting at the "white interloper" table. Charlie's done a lot for Hymietown...

Posted by tu3031 2010-08-01 15:28|| 2010-08-01 15:28|| Front Page Top

#6 I hear that after they wheel out the giant birthday cake, Maxine Waters will pop out wearing nothing but taxpayer money.

Posted by ryuge 2010-08-01 17:30|| 2010-08-01 17:30|| Front Page Top

#7 Maxine Waters will pop out wearing nothing but taxpayer money.

that is an eye-scrubbing image, seeing how none of our tax money is left.

Posted by Martini 2010-08-01 17:38|| 2010-08-01 17:38|| Front Page Top

#8 The people of New York will only get rid of Rangel when they duct-tape him to 400 pounds of cement and put him on a trash barge heading for deep water. I'm not sure there are enough people mad enough yet for that to happen. In the meantime, this crook continues to lie and steal his way to another couple of million in graft and corruption, all from the pockets of the taxpayer.

Posted by Old Patriot 2010-08-01 19:25|| 2010-08-01 19:25|| Front Page Top

#9 Get vids of the people attending and hang them with it on election day.

Posted by Hellfish 2010-08-01 20:27|| 2010-08-01 20:27|| Front Page Top

01:46 Grom the Affective
01:33 Besoeker
01:22 Besoeker
00:59 Besoeker
00:48 Besoeker
00:40 Frank G