Charlie Rangel Is Available for TV Booking

Congressman Charlie Rangel gave yet another impassioned defense of his public-service record at a televised press conference today, after taking to the floor of the House last week to deliver a long speech about the ethics allegations against him.

Rangel said he's available for booking on political TV shows and is willing to answer questions about the ethics charges.

"You can invite me to be on the shows," Rangel said. "I don't know how to say no, I'm not going to say no comment."

Rangel has called on the ethics committee to give him a hearing and has maintained that what he wants is an opportunity to publicly clear his name. Rangel was charged with 13 ethics violations last month, including inappropriately soliciting donations for the New York City College building that bears his name, failing to report rental income on a beach property, inappropriately allowing his campaign to use a rent-subsidized apartment, and errors and omissions on financial disclosure forms.