Charlie Rangel (D-N.Y.) thinks the NSA program is just fine. But...

[BlueCheese]

http://video.msnbc.msn.com/msnbc/52145588#52145588

I can't for the life of me figure out his reasoning, given that he voted against the Patriot Act at the time.

Q. [In response to Obama's contention that every member of Congress was briefed.] Were you briefed on this and when were you briefed on it?

A. I don't know whether i was personally briefed on it. They do have these briefings. I try not to attend because i don't want to know a secret that's gonna show up in the New York Times the next morning...

Q. You voted against [the Patriot Act] in 2007; you've not been briefed on this since then is what you're saying?

A. No, I haven't. The fact I voted against the law doesn't mean the enforcement of this section of the law-- I thought it was overreaching, but at a time that America's being threatened, I'm not going to micromanage the security of the United States based on my emotional and political beliefs. You have to have some confidence in this president. Quite frankly, if it was a different president, I might take a different look at the legislation.

He sounds like a number of self-described Democrats I've talked to-- opposing the Patriot Act at the time, but now in favor of the phone records sweep. I still don't really understand the reasoning. I hope the congressman is aware that this president will not be in office past January 2017.

[burnodo]

1. This country is moving further and further to the right

The terrorists may not have won, but this seems to be a different country than the one I remember.

[octoberlib]

2. Like Bill Maher said the other night " I trust President Obama with this

but I wouldn't trust President Ted Cruz," Well, since Obama won't be President forever this probably isn't a good thing.

[Autumn]

3. Well Charlie I gotta say, in 2016 it WILL be a different president

Christ on a crutch, what is wrong with these people.

[wandy]

4. I try not to attend???? Well naturally everything just fine.............

Fu**ing ostrich , get you're head out of the sand or where ever you got it stuck.
Oh, but I bet you're Johnny on the spot for those briefings with the lobbyists.
Charley, turn in you're (D at the door.

That's how republicans became viscous. Protective coloration after they let themselves get stupid.

[jaysunb]

5. Good for Charlie !

A balanced response, that I agree wholeheartedly with.

[TheKentuckian]

6. Pretty much embarrassing.

This is the good part of our Congress. Not the absolute cream of the crop but pretty much deep into good territory.

Rangel is like Odysseus, Solomon, Galahad, and Andy Taylor rolled all into one compared to Philistines like Gohmert.

A desperate and sad state of affairs. I bet we couldn't come up with 200 better than old Charlie here and by his own admission he is pretty much worthless, at least in these matters other than for partisan reasons.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

7. "....based on my emotional and political beliefs." Rangel

Moderation in temper is always a virtue; but moderation in principle is always a vice. Thomas Paine