Charlie Rangel, the man who said, “the clouds of corruption are not just on the Republicans but the entire House” regarding the Tom Delay investigation, must’ve been referring to himself in that statement as well, considering this:

Rep. Charles Rangel has written to lobbyists who represent corporate interests before the tax-writing House Ways and Means Committee, where he is the ranking Democrat, asking for contributions from $1,000 to $10,000 “to underwrite” his 75th birthday party… He admonished the lobbyists to “fax the attached response sheet back to my office as soon as possible.”

Reminds me of the guy on the street corner holding the sign that reads, “Why lie? I need the money for beer!”. At least he skips the formalities of trips and gifts and goes straight for the cash. Afterall, how questionable can it really be for a politician to actively solicit cash from lobbyists representing interests before his committee? No “clouds of corruption” there, right?