Charlie Rangel’s birthday party was very inconvenient for state Democratic politicians. On the one hand, he is an utter disgrace slowly being brought down, at long last, by ethics charges. On the other hand, there were free “heaping plates of roast beef, goat cheese and onion rings.” But Charlie Rangel resorted to pitifully desperate measures to shame people into showing up, and most of them did! You never turn your back on somebody who provides you lots of money. So these lawmakers ended up coming, mostly, and the result was a lot of awkwardness and then a New York Times account of this awkwardness. And also photos to be used against them in the future in attack ads.
Democratic lawmakers agonized about showing up. Republicans threatened to turn an R.S.V.P. into a campaign issue. And Mr. Rangel, whose actual birthday is June 11, all but pleaded with would-be guests to make an appearance.
June 11? You have soiled the sanctity of birfdays in this Christian nation, Charlie Rangel.
But the intense speculation about an anemic turnout seemed to embolden rather than deflate Mr. Rangel, who appeared determined to prove the naysayers wrong. His staff recorded an automated phone message, which it delivered to dozens of invited guests, pleading with them to attend. “Hi. This is Charlie Rangel,” the message said. “I’m sorry I missed you, but I’m calling to let you know that there’s a birthday party.”
Ask your moms if it’s okay to come over, you guys! Birfday party!
The soiree doubled as a re-election fund-raiser — tickets started at $200 — and a crucial test of Mr. Rangel’s appeal as a candidate as he seeks a 21st term. Traditionally a prodigious fund-raiser, he has struggled in the latest election cycle. He has spent far more than he has brought in, and has $517,000 left in his account, far more than his four opponents, but hardly a formidable war chest.
But it appeared that in their rush to corral guests, Mr. Rangel’s aides invited some people who gave no money at all. Miriam Berger and her husband, Meir, who live in Bergen County, N.J., said they were invited at the last minute by Mr. Rangel’s chief of staff, but were not asked for a donation. “They really wanted people here,” Ms. Berger said.
If you’re just giving out invites to fill the room, could you maybe have given some to the people of Harlem instead, Charlie? Surely these rich Bergen County types enjoy heaping piles of roast beef, goat cheese, and onion rings, but perhaps the homeless people and hungry children of your district would appreciate it more. JUST A THOUGHT. THAT would have been a party!
Oh, also a former New York mayor gave protesters the finger. Suck it, people who aren’t friends with Charlie! [NYT]
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“there were free “heaping plates of roast beef, goat cheese and onion rings.”
And there wasn’t a hobo riot? Talk about bad advertising.
Mmmmmm … onion rings.
Charlie’s just being nostalgic for the time when every day was his birfday. But it’s bad strategy to advertise it as a birfday party — maybe “The Last Potlatch” would’ve been a better theme.
In nyc this barefoot runners event received more coverage. although it was covered by the ny post and they may have confused bare shoes with their usual barely dressed women photo’s.
Barefoot Marathon Madness
Daring New Yorkers jog from Harlem to Brooklyn without shoes in the belief that barefoot is better for the body than footwear. http://www.newslook.com/videos/240678-barefoot-marathon-madness?autoplay=true
Need to use Rangel’s sleeping, mouth open, butt-in-the-front picture Jon Stewart used last night. There are not many occasions to use a butt-in-the-front picture, so take advantage of it when you can!
[re=637491]Manos: Hands of Fate[/re]: New York Hobos were circling the dumpster behind Rep Rangels soirée like the mighty Alaskan vultures on Ted Stevens downed plane.
What…to soon?
You don’t need an excuse for goat cheese and onion rings.
Birthday Party’s more than 4 days away from your actual birthday are just fucking cheating.
Leave Charlue alone!
When trying to imagine the atmosphere of this event I can’t help but think of Nearly Headless Nick’s 500th deathday party.
I guess Rangel ain’t got the cajoles that his name would imply.
He’s unpopular so people don’t want to go to his birthday party, so he’s having to beg them; damn, Congress is really just like middle school. Did he get his mom to call the other lawmakers’ moms to get them to make their kids go so Charlie won’t have a sad?
Silly Wonkett. The poor don’t go hungry anymore. This is why they are all obese diabetics.
[re=637497]Lascauxcaveman[/re]: Ever tried sticking 80-some birthday candles in an onion ring?
It burns, burns, burns…
Come on the other politicians showed up for the opportunity to network with the people who pay them off.
[re=637551]Extemporanus[/re]:
And it seems to me Charlie’s lived his life
Like a candle in the ring.
concluding bit most hideous of all:
“Midway through Mr. Rangel’s House speech, Speaker Nancy Pelosi abruptly left the floor and huddled with her aides.
On Wednesday, however, in the gilded, two-story ballroom at the Plaza, signs of loyalty were everywhere. When Ms. Warwick turned to Mr. Rangel and began to sing “That’s What Friends Are For,” the entire crowd joined in with her.”
Charlie’s not my congressman, but that menu sounds pretty damn delicious to me. I would have went and damn the GOP attack ads!
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