In the Right

We know you have no power and influence over this man, because more than a year ago -- on September 15, 2008, to be precise -- you published this lead editorial, calling for Rangel to remove himself from the chairmanship of the House Ways and Means Committee "while his ethical problems are investigated."

More than a year later, Charles B. Rangel has refused to do so, even as his ethical troubles have continued to mount.

Wow, it must suck to be you.

Especially when you then are forced to watch the vast majority of House Democrats vote to flout your expressed desires, by rejecting a privileged resolution offered by Texas Republican Rep. John Carter.

What makes the matter even more intriguing is that sometimes, as Michael Kinsley pointed out long ago, what's shocking in Washington isn't the stuff that happens that's illegal -- it's the stuff that happens that's perfectly legal.

Take, for instance, this story about Rangel, which ran in yesterday's Washington Times.

According to the piece, Rangel's campaign committee has been awash in contributions from Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands -- because there are two competing bills before his tax-writing committee, either of which would benefit one island and handicap the other, with regard to the tax treatment of rum production.

Supporters of the bill that would benefit Puerto Rico have blessed his campaign committee with $36,600, according to CQMoneyline, while supporters of the bill that would benefit U.S. Virgin Islands have donated $84,800 just in the last election cycle.

Which bill does Rangel prefer? "My favorite is the one that carries the most votes," he says, apparently only half in jest, downplaying the influence that he, as committee chairman, can wield over the legislation.

Watching this whole episode play out reminds me of a few scenes in an totally overlooked by slyly written movie called "The Distinguished Gentleman" -- a 1992 comedy starring Eddie Murphy, in which he plays a con man who gets himself elected to Congress in the belief that it will be the most lucrative scam of his life.

In this clip, Murphy's character is schooled in the ways of Washington and its money by a legendary lobbyist, whose explanation still stands the test of time.

It's not what they teach in your high school civics classes, but it's a lot closer to the truth.

Perhaps if more members of the editorial board of The New York Times bothered to watch movies like "The Distinguished Gentleman," they'd have a more realistic idea of how Washington really works -- and what to do about galoots like Rangel.

For true political trivia buffs: "The Distinguished Gentleman" was co-written by Marty Kaplan, who is now the Norman Lear Professor of Entertainment, Media, and Society at the University of Southern California's Annenberg School for Communication. He was once a speechwriter and deputy campaign manager for Vice President Walter Mondale, and was at one time married to Susan Estrich, who is most famous for her role as Mike Dukakis's campaign manager in his failed 1988 bid for President.

Follow me on Twitter!