the kicker

Statement, no longer operative

March 3, 2010

This morning’s print New York Times carried the following paragraphs in an article on whether or not Congressman Charlie Rangel would hold on to his chairmanship of the House Ways and Means committee after being sanctioned by the House Ethics Committee:

As he left his crisis meeting with party leaders around 8 p.m., Mr. Rangel insisted that he was not stepping down. Asked if he was going to remain as chairman, he said, “You bet your life.”

Pushed on whether he would step aside temporarily, he replied, “No.”

He said he was headed back to his office to work on jobs legislation, and when a reporter asked if he would still be the committee chairman on Wednesday, Mr. Rangel said, “Yes, and I don’t lie to the press.”

But just this past hour, Rangel stepped aside–though he says it’s temporary measure. Still it’s Wednesday, and Rangel is no longer chair. But he was when the day started. So no lie, right?

Clint Hendler is the managing editor of Mother Jones, and a former deputy editor of CJR.