'We're Satisfied With Our Conclusion'

Let's face it, the same people who vote to keep Nancy Pelosi as their leader should find nothing less than satisfaction in keeping perhaps their most corrupt member in the fold. Heck, let's get symbolic about it. Give him the chairmanship of the Ways and Means Committee back for the lame-duck session and let the poor, beleaguered man restore some pride!

The House ethics committee recommended on Thursday by a vote of 9-1 that Rep. Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.) be formally censured by the full House for 11 counts of violating ethics rules.

The panel also ordered Rangel to pay restitution of any unpaid taxes.

"We have worked together in this matter in a way that actually has been quite wrenching and we're satisfied with our conclusion," said Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.), the panel's chairwoman.

Short of expulsion, censure is the most serious sanction the ethics panel can recommend. Only 22 House members have been censured in the history of the chamber.

A majority of the full House would have to vote to censure Rangel or lawmakers could opt for a lighter punishment. That vote likely will wait until after the Thanksgiving recess.

A lighter punishment? Which would be what, only 20 weeks vacation a year? Only three rent-controlled apartments? Dinner with Pelosi?