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**Written by Doug Powers

Rep. Charles Rangel took to the House floor today to explain himself. Bottom line: I’m not crooked — just an idiot:

While admitting he had made mistakes in handling his personal and public business and apologizing for any wrongdoing, Mr. Rangel said he had not committed any corrupt acts. He referred to one charge that he improperly solicited donations using Congressional letterhead.

“The rules have changed,” Mr. Rangel said during his 30-minute speech. “And so there has to be a penalty for grabbing the wrong stationery and not really doing the right thing. But it’s not corrupt. It may be stupid. It may be negligent. But it is not corrupt.”

If it makes you feel any better, Charlie, America is just about up to here with Washington’s stupidity and negligence as much as they are with corruption.

In the video below, after Rangel says “I’m not going away,” listen for a smattering of applause from the eight people who are still going to Chuck’s birthday party (and if they’re not he’s trying to sell them invitations as we speak).

The Democrats were hoping Rangel would get so disgruntled that he’d swipe a couple of beers from the mini-fridge, open the door, throw himself down the inflatable emergency slide and head home. It’s not going to play out that way — Rangel’s going to fight the English Anglo-Saxon legal system all the way to Her Majesty’s Court if need be. Besides, Maxine Waters needs Charlie to stick around so they can keep the tried and sometimes true corruptocrat “buddy system” in play.

Rangel: “If I can’t get my dignity back here, then fire your best shot at getting rid of me through expulsion.” If an intestinal flu bug could talk, it would say pretty much the same thing.

Can somebody please get the woman over Rangel’s right shoulder a strong cup of coffee?

Charlie’s getting defiant on the Green Mile.

Update: Here’s what Luke Russert had to say about Rangel’s speech on Twitter (h/t HAP):

**Written by Doug Powers

Twitter @ThePowersThatBe