After the disgraced New York Democrat got his official slap on the wrist yesterday, he held a press conference. The following exchange occured with Washington Times reporter Kerry Picket:
PICKET:There’s been criticism from the floor tonight essentially comparing you to the average American citizen, who, if they went through similar circumstances such as yourself that they may be punished in a worse way. What’s your response to that?
REP. RANGEL: What paper are you from?
PICKET: Pardon?
REP. RANGEL: What paper are you from?
PICKET: Washington Times, sir.
REP. RANGEL: What’s the question? Can you kind of make the question a little more exact? This criticism came from the floor? The floor can’t speak. Who said what?
PICKET: Well basically….
REP. RANGEL: What is the question?
PICKET: I’m just asking what is your response to criticism that if the average American citizen. Someone who is not a congressman
REP. RANGEL:Please, I’m not a psychiatrist. I don’t deal in average American citizens. Citizens are diverse. They are broad. I don’t know what is average, and so I don’t really agree… I’ll come back to you when you think of a good question.
Ah, the humility. Share your thoughts, but let's try to keep it civil (as tough as it may be).
