harlie Rangel’s Birthday Fundraiser Sounds Like It Was A Blast

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Just two days after his jaw-dropping 30-minute speech on the House floor regarding his pending ethics trial, Rep. Charlie Rangel was back in New York to celebrate his 80th birthday with a politically star-studded fundraiser.

Despite the fact that his birthday was in June (and, you know, those ethics charges) everyone seemed to be celebrating in good spirits – including Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Rev. Al Sharpton and Rangel himself.

Bloomberg joked: “I know a few people couldn’t be here tonight, because as they tell it, either they had to get a haircut unexpectedly, or they were sure they’d have a headache. But Charlie, as you know, they were with you as long as they could be.”

Sharpton turned his attention to the media in attendance. “You have started and executed a political execution, but stay tuned for the political resurrection,” he said, to cheers from the crowd.

When Rangel got to the microphone, he noted “this damn sure ain’t no funeral!”
Here are more details from Politico:

Rangel’s campaign said it had sold out the event’s roughly 800 tickets (though slightly fewer than that attended). Guests munched on buffet-style meals of beef, seasoned vegetables and risotto (there was also a Kosher table). Rangel blew out candles on a massive birthday cake.
The event had been plagued by bad news and expectations of weakened attendance in the leadup to it. Even the headliner, Aretha Franklin, had to cancel thanks to an injury. Dionne Warwick filled in and sang a few songs, including “That’s What Friends Are For.”

That what friends are for, indeed.
Joe Scarborough, discussing the party: “I’ve always liked Charlie, he’s an American hero, his story in the Korean War. He’s guilty as hell, but it was very moving.”
Happy birthday Charlie! What’d you wish for? Here’s Morning Joe’s segment on it this morning.

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by Steve Krakauer