Obama: Rangel's Ethics Charges "Very Troubling"
Mr. Obama spoke with CBS "Early Show" Anchor Harry Smith in an interview scheduled to be broadcast in parts on Sunday and Monday. (Watch a clip at left)
Rangel was charged with 13 violations of House ethics rules Thursday after his attorneys and lawyers for the House panel investigating the former Ways and Means Committee chairman failed to negotiate a settlement. On Friday, the panel's chairwoman said it would recommend that Rangel be reprimanded by the full House.
The president noted that given Rangel's age, 80, he's at the end of his career anyway.
"I think Charlie Rangel served a very long time and served his constituents very well, but these allegations are very troubling, and, you know, he's somebody who is at the end of his career, 80 years old," Mr. Obama said. "I'm sure that what he wants is to be able to end his career with dignity, and my hope is that happens."
Rangel is running for his 21st term in House. If he wins his Sept. 14 primary contest, he is expected to easily win the general election in his heavily Democratic district.
The rest of the interview is expected to be broadcast on CBS' "Sunday Morning" Sunday and "The Early Show" Monday.
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