Russ Carnahan – Mini Rangel?

Representative Charlie Rangel, after years of foot-dragging by The Most Honest, Most Open and Most Ethical Congress in History™, has actually been charged by the House with ethical lapses, and actually faces an investigation.

Why did it take so long for The Most Honest, Most Open and Most Ethical Congress in History™ to get around to looking into what are clear and egregious violations? To quote the Beatles, Congressman Rangel got by with a little help from his friends.

One of his friends was Congressman Russ Carnahan. In his time in office, Russ Carnahan repeatedly voted to keep investigators out of the powerful Ways and Means Committee chairman’s affairs. At least five times, Russ Carnahan was part of the ad hoc “Save Charlie Caucus”. You can imagine how appreciative Charlie Rangel must have been. Considering the comparison below between Russ Carnahan and Charlie Rangel, you can imagine how much Russ Carnahan would appreciate the precedent.


Russ Carnahan	Charles Rangel
Voted for tax increases, but avoided Missouri personal property taxes by parking yacht accross the river in Illinois	Voted for tax increases, but simply did not pay his taxes
Used his position to get 90 million in stimulus funds for his brother Tom Carnahan’s company, Wind Capital Group	Used his positions to get tax breaks for donors to a library named after him.
“Forgot” to disclose ownership in two corporations, one that owned his yacht, the other used in a sweetheart real estate deal with two campaign donors.	“Forgot” to pay taxes on rental property in the Dominican Republic.
Paid himself “rent” for office space out of campaign contributions, though his corporation did not appear to own office space.	Using rent controlled apartments for office space

Charlie Rangel is a lifelong liberal, clearly I disagree with him vigorously on issues. He is also a wounded veteran, having served his nation honorably. I find it tragic that over the decades his career rotted out – an argument for term limits I believe. Russ Carnahan’s lapses are a miniature version, different largely in degree, not by type. Russ and Charlie have parallel voting records, and in less than a decade, Russ has carved out a similar path toward the worst precincts of Washington.

I am running my campaign like I want Washington to run – lean and thrifty. I am proud of how the campaign staff squeezes every drop of benefit from contributions. You can count on your contribution of any amount – $10, $30, $50 or $100 beign used wisely.

In just a few days, the primary will be over. Some of you have the means to give the maximum prior to the election. Your total contribution of $2400 before August 3rd will helpo us win in November.