*Rep. Charles Rangel on Saturday compared President Obama to former Vice President Dick Cheney Saturday, claiming both are committed to the Iraq War because of the country’s desire for oil.
“I challenge anyone to tell me we aren’t there because of the oil,” said Rangel, who launches his re-election campaign for a 21st congressional term in Washington Heights Sunday.
“The lack of an honest explanation [for the war] is consistent with Bush and Cheney,” he told the Daily News during an hour-long interview that touched on his ongoing ethics probe, relationship with the President and ability to get work done in Washington.
Criticizing the Obama White House for staying in Bush-triggered wars, Rangel said, “We are trying to buy our friends there … stuff like that makes Cheney look good.”
It’s not the first time the two have tangled.
When Obama asked Gov. Paterson not to run for re-election last fall, Rangel said the move was “not presidential.” The interference without Rangel’s consent was considered a slap against the legendary New York lawmaker.
They have since had a “very pleasant exchange” about the incident, according to Rangel, who added, “I have no reason to believe it will ever happen again in my district or my state.”
“The interference without Rangel’s consent was considered a slap…” So this is all about O didn’t come to the perceived ‘godfather” for permission? Rangel, I was there when you helped the yt powers that be bring down Adam Clayton Powell, a congressman who’d done more for Black Harlem in his tenure than any 12 negroes in the past 100 years. You sold Black Harlem out a long, long time ago!
I’m quite sure that Obama would not have bypassed Kennedy, Daley, Byrd or anyone else in order to encourage a sitting governor NOT to run in the race. He did it because he knew blacks wouldn’t have a problem w/it..much like Artur Davis…
If not careful, Obama will learn that same message.