Charlie Rangel: "I'll Quit"

FreeRepublic.com Is Reporting:
Rangel: I'll quit Congress if Democrats lose

WASHINGTON -- Rep. Charles Rangel, a powerful senior Democrat in Congress and the dean of New York's congressional delegation, said Wednesday that he'll quit Congress if the Democrats don't retake control of the House this year.

"I'm a poker player(Better Be Holding A Full House) and I've had good hands all night long. This is all in," Rangel said in an interview. "I would not put everything on the table if I thought for one minute we would lose."

Rangel, the ranking Democrat on the House Ways & Means Committee, is 76 years old and has spent 35 years in Congress. The Democrats need to gain 15 seats in the 2006 midterm election _ a victory that would return Rangel to the chairmanship of the powerful committee.



"Hell, if we don't take back the House, then the Democrats would go down in history, saying that there's no group in the world that can grab defeat from the jaws of victory," Rangel said. "It just seems like America is so frustrated and fed up like I am and if she's not then I may have to say maybe it's me."

The congressman, known for a wicked wit and cheshire cat smile, said the U.S. war in Iraq has soured him on the Republican leadership and voters who keep electing them.

Since the war began three years ago, Rangel has called for Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld to resign or be fired, and engaged in an acid-tongued war of words with Vice President Dick Cheney.

Rangel, a Korea War veteran and recipient of the Bronze Star, said he is upset the U.S. public isn't more upset about the Iraq war.

"I love my country and I love the flag, but I am so ashamed that when foreigners try to criticize my country and my president, I have to defend it, but I'm finding it more and more difficult to do that as a person. I don't have any problem doing it as a politician, but as a person I've never been in this position," said Rangel.

But the possibility of a Democratic victory in 2006, he said, was still plenty of motivation.

If the Democrats do win, he said, "It would be great to see the face of Vice President Cheney when he finds out. I'd like to be in the room when they told him. I think that would give me an additional 30 years of life."

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Well Charlie, (That is what they called the enemy in Viet Nam wasnt it?) After all your crazy escapades, trying to re-instate the draft being the worst of them, I'd Say "You Better Get To Packing"! What was Rangel thinking when he was trying to turn an "All Volunteer Service" Into A Draft? Just Quit Now Charlie, it will save you the time and trouble later! Trying to re-instate the Draft, what a Total Moron!