>>
because they say that the best thing in my
best interest
is not to make any comment but i noticed that this morning there were a crew of television people. when i came to the office there was was a crew of television people. and i assume with the larger turnout, i would expect that they would be with me and i don't know how to say "no comment". it's a very difficult thing for me to turn away reporters who are doing their jobs. close to two years, i have been saying, "would you please wait until the
ethics committee
completes its investigation." it has been awkward for me and it has been awkward for you. they have completed their investigation. and i'm so pleased that they have and they reported this to the
ethics committee
. this is going to be done before my primary leeks, before the
general election
and the light of a public explanation of what they have found as a result of the investigation will be made public. and so, there's very little that i can say because the realm of confidentiality means that on monday, i will no longer be saying wait until they complete their investigation. and i called this morning and i had a very good conversation with
luke russert
and apologized to him for the way i treated him on television, but it's awkward, when you can't give answers to questions and sometimes reporters feel compelled to go beyond what i can do. and so, i'm restricted to a note. i think everyone should be happy that i have not gone beyond that. someone said why have a press conference if you're not going to answer any questions? i said, well if they knew that and they still are taking their time to go where i live and to follow me around in the district, maybe this time, i would be able to say that i met with you, i told you what i've had to say and i do have congressional work to do and i can tell you or tell those people that will be with me that comes thursday, we all will be able to move forward together. so, if there are any questions in connection with what i just said, i will be glad to take them.
>>
congressman, have you spoken with
speaker pelosi
about this and how do you respond to -- not about the allegations but about how [ inaudible ] -- especially in tight races around the country?
>>
well, at this point in time, i have to really consider the process that i'm going through and respect it. anything i say that would impact on the people that i have no control over, i cannot make any comment that would make any sense at all.
>>
have you spoken to
speaker pelosi
about this matter?
>>
i cannot go beyond this statement because i'm here to tell you something that's awkward and that is the investigation is over. comes thursday, we will be talking about what? the allegations. as most of you know, all of the allegations that you see in the newspaper, the allegations that congressman
charles rangel
referred to the
ethics committee
for what purpose? to investigate. and it's kind of awkward to explain that to your kids and grandkids what you see in the
front page
, but hey, i'm not kitchen and i'm not walking out.
>>
congressman, when you stepped down as chair of the
ways and means
in march, you said you don't want to be a distraction to other democrats in an election year [ inaudible ] pose potential problems for them?
>>
first of all, i'm taking this one step at a time. i don't ever remember using the word trial. what i'm dealing with today and i will be glad to see what happens on thursday. you know, i'm not the one that called this and so hey --
>>
do you not consider this a trial what is going to happen on thursday?
>>
now you're dealing with words. i want you to be dealing with facts. you know the allegations, you will be able to get the report. i want you to analyze it. and i'm not evening asking you to be fair.
>>
congressman, you have always been a xraerp, a fighter, a fighter for what you belitsched to be right. are you
looking forward
to this battle?
>>
no, hell no. nobody in his right mind be
looking forward
to something like this public. i knew one thing, when somebody is elected to
public office
there is a
higher level
of honesty, openness and transparency on him rather than just an ordinary citizen. before this, i want people to know who
charlie rangel
is and was and wanted to be. yes?
>>
what kind of response have you gotten from other democrats? have you heard from
andrew cuomo
, people just supporting you and cheering you on or what kind of response?
>>
i really don't see how any comment like that could be very useful in the purpose that i asked you to come here. i mean, that's -- that's subjective stuff. i'm here to talk some facts and i'm here to tell you how relieved i am that i don't have to tell you what you should be so annoyed in hearing, will you please wait until the investigation is over? it is over. comes thursday, hey. yes, sir.
>>
how have you been sharing this with your family you talked about having to explain headlines and things, talk about the difficult tu and explaining what is going on --
>>
i'm glad you raised the question, because of course i'm not going to explain any personal relationship i have with my family, my friends, my constituents. it is a coming together it has been a rather moving but difficult experience.
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