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NRCC Chief: Leave Renzi Alone!
National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) Chairman Tom Cole declined to call publicly for Rep. Rick Renzi’s (R-Ariz.) resignation on Monday, saying his friend is innocent until proven guilty....“I think he’s got every right to do what he thinks,” Cole said. “I guess I believe in the American legal system. You’re allowed to go argue your case. I don’t tell people that they ought to resign, and I wouldn’t share that kind of discussion, honestly, in a public venue anyway.
“At the end of the day, Rick says he’s innocent. Rick’s going to argue that case. He has the right to do that,” Cole said.
If Renzi were to bow out before May 4th, it would force a special election, but if he sticks it out past then and then resigns, the seat would remain vacant until November. In any case, Renzi himself is in no hurry to leave, and his case is unlikely to go to trial for many, many months.
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Josh
Zachary
You know, there are varying degrees of "innocent until proven guilty." Mr. Renzi seems to fall at smoking gun/bloody knife end.
But hey, if he wants to stay in office until there's a verdict and his constituents are okay with it, then I guess he can stay. But are his constituents okay with it? Has anyone asked them?
March 3, 2008 5:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
Says Cole: “I guess I believe in the American legal system. You’re allowed to go argue your case."
Providing you're a well-connected congressman and not currently being held at, say, Gitmo.
March 3, 2008 6:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
Republicans are challenging their leadership. What an example for the DNC.
March 3, 2008 7:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah the problem is Mr. Cole as you said, "Cole said. “I guess I believe in the American legal system. You’re allowed to go argue your case. I don’t tell people that they ought to resign, and I wouldn’t share that kind of discussion, honestly, in a public venue anyway."
Well why did you not tell this to your president when he ignored the judicial system conviction of Lewis Scooter Libby? And are we supposed to trust people becuase of their word, I agree that we should wait and see how this plays out, but simply how can Rep Renzi be effective in his duties as a public servant while fighting for his freedom? If he goes through the process adn is found out to not be guilty then I am sure the voter's in his district surely will hold very little against him but might actually be more inclined to prove that they were in fact right in supporting him. Come on! Give up your seat spend some time with the family and see how thing plan out! I thought you were the guys that cared about family values, not about power and prestige?
March 4, 2008 3:25 PM | Reply | Permalink