By most ethical Congress ever, I of course mean the total opposite. Much like the claims of the most transparent administration ever – in Obama-era Newspeak terms, you must just assume the opposite to be true. Charlie Rangel, after having been forced, kicking and screaming, to step down as Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee in March, has now been charged with multiple ethics violations by a bi-partisan House committee:

The formation of subcommittee, which will consist of four Democrats and four Republicans, is rare. The last time one was convened was in 2002 to handle the case of former Rep. James Traficant, D-Ohio, who was under investigation in connection with bribery, racketeering and tax evasion convictions…

Rangel, D-N.Y., has been under a lengthy probe by the House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct for a series of ethics allegations that includes failing to report hundreds of thousands of dollars in income and assets, improper use of several rent-controlled apartments in his Harlem district, fundraising efforts for a college center that bears his name, and failing to pay taxes on property he owns in the Dominican Republic.

And, guess what? It’s probably racist! Or, it’s the press out to get him (video after the jump). That line of spin is particularly amusing since we now know, thanks to The Daily Caller, that liberal journalists have been conspiring to harm Republicans and aid Democrats.

That aside, the fact that it is a Bipartisan subcommittee and pressure really means that the Democrats are growing increasingly nervous about their collective (how ironic) chances in November. However, even that isn’t enough to stop the good old race card from being thrown down. Via Allahpundit:

One Democratic consultant described a Rangel trial as a “no-win situation” for House Democrats running in competitive races. Explained the source: “Criticize him, and risk the wrath of the congressional black caucus and leadership. Don’t criticize, and you’re weak on ethics.”

Of course! The wrath of the congressional black caucus. That should be the main concern, in this alleged “post-racial” America, huh? Once again, they spit in the face of Martin Luther King’s legacy – character, or lack thereof, does not matter. Only skin color does.

Rangel himself is displaying his usual delusional character, as well as the typical arrogance and sneering contempt often displayed by those firmly entrenched in the Washington, DC culture (of corruption, apparently). It is shown here, in this video clip of a quick interview with Luke Russert, son of the late Tim Russert. Note, he’s flabbergasted that Russert is with MSNBC and can’t believe he’s actually being questioned, without softballs, by a journalist from that network:

I’m still not placing any bets — while the Democrats are, as always, eager to save themselves and their chances in November, it is awfully rare for a Democrat to actually admit wrong-doing or to pay any price for it. In this election cycle, however, it will hopefully be a different story. I wonder if Charlie Rangel can see November from his house? A house where I hope he’ll be spending lots more time soon.

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(cross-posted from NewsReal)