The Hill News

Embattled Rep. Charles Rangel took several shots at the press for his ethics problems at a campaign event in New York Thursday.

Rangel (D-N.Y.), who held a widely-attended birthday party Wednesday night, said that the press was trying to prejudge his actions before the House ethics committee puts him on trial. 

{mosads}"I should not have to encourage the fourth estate to take a look at the law, that should help," he said. "No paper can deny anybody, even a Charlie Rangel, the opportunity to a fair, equitable and just hearing."

Rangel's comments are the third time this week he has publicly defended himself against the 13 ethics violations he is accused of committing. 

An adjudicatory subcommittee is expected to try Rangel when the House returns from recess in September, a bad time for Democrats who are in danger of losing control in the House in the November midterm elections.

But that has not stopped Rangel from speaking out. !

On Tuesday, Rangel delivered a meandering, 30-minute floor speech as the House passed a state aid package. The move seemed to frustrate Democratic leaders, who had hoped that the legislation would take center stage.

Rangel seemed to acknowledge that, saying "I have to get back to work" to help fix the economy, two overseas wars and run campaign.

"That's what last Tuesday should have been entirely about," he said. 

Rangel also defended himself at his birthday bash and fundraiser at the upscale Plaza Hotel Wednesday night. 

The Harlem lawmaker said that the attendees, which included both New York senators and members of the state's congressional delegation, showed up in part to speak out! for due process.

"As much as my ego would like m! e to bel ieve they came out for Charlie Rangel, I don't think that's the whole story," he said. "I think they came out for the process.

"What about a new member that could be run out of office?" he added, stressing that his guests were familiar with the "the negative power of the press."

Rangel said that, going forward, he would not speak publicly about his ethics charges.

"For those of you who need to ask questions about ethics, continue to ask them, but ask the guys in Washington when I am going to get a hearing," he said.

Rangel stressed multiple times that over the next few weeks he is going to "restrict myself to trying to get elected" in his public speeches.

The 20-term lawmaker said he was committed to campaigning hard to win his Sept. 14 primary contest against New York Assemblyman Adam Clayton Powell IV.

But he urged President Obama and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) to stay out of the race because th! e 15th congressional district will almost certainly remain in Democratic hands, even if he loses the primary. 

Rangel declined to answer several questions about the ethics charges against his colleague in the Congressional Black Caucus, Rep, Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) and private conversations he has had with members on the House floor.

"They say what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. What happens on the House floor stays on the House floor," he said.

The congressman told members of the press that "you'll have the opportunity to take a shot" without repeating unfounded charges, but said that he would not hold a grudge if he is acquitted.

"If you can't find anything, don't even apologize, move on," he said.