In a clip released by CBS News of their exclusive interview set to air on Sunday, President Barack Obama speaks out on the Rep. Charlie Rangel ethics scandal for the first time, calling the allegations “very troubling” and expressing hope that the long-serving Congressman will be able to “end his career with dignity.”
Sitting down with CBS Early Show anchor Harry Smith, the President had good things to say about Rep. Rangel’s tenure in Congress but showed concern about the recent ethics investigation taken out against him in response to several questionable personal financial issues. “I think Charlie Rangel served a very long time and served his constituents very well, but these allegations are very troubling,” he told Smith. He also pointed to Rep. Rangel’s age as another factor to be taken into consideration: “He’s somebody,” he told Smith, “who is at the end of his career, 82 years old, I’m sure that what he wants is to be able to end his career with dignity and my hope is that that happens.”
The full interview is slated to be broadcast tomorrow on Sunday Morning and on the Monday edition of CBS’ Early Show. The clip from the CBS EVENING NEWS last night below: