Rangel Misses More Votes Than Anyone In NY Delegation

So, what are we to make of the fact that Harlem Democrat Charles Rangel misses more votes in the House of Representatives than any of the other New York delegates?

Harlem Rep. Charles Rangel missed more votes than any other New York House member, according to a study released by Congressional Quarterly.

Rangel, 78, missed 16 percent of House votes in 2008, partly due to a hospital stay last spring, while the state's full delegation missed an average of only 5 percent of House votes.

How exactly is he supposed to carry out his obligations as Chairman of the House Ways and Means committee if he's ill and keeps missing votes? How exactly does that show leadership?

It doesn't.

Then again, every day that Rangel spends away from the House is another day that taxpayer wallets aren't under assault. I'll take my breaks where I can get them for the moment.

Rangel, of course, still faces numerous ethics investigations and no one knows for sure what his tax situation is either.

Second to Rangel in time missed this session? Disgraced Republican Vito Fossella, who didn't run for reelection.