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By Aaron Blake
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Posted: 03/03/08 11:49 AM [ET] |
National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) Chairman Tom Cole declined to call publicly for Rep. Rick Renzi’s (R-Ariz.) resignation on Monday, saying his friend is innocent until proven guilty.
The embattled Renzi said months ago that he would not seek reelection this year but vowed to serve out the rest of his term. In February, after Renzi was indicted on 35 federal charges, House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) pressed for him to step down.
Cole (R-Okla.), a classmate of Renzi’s who has worked closely with him on Native American issues, appeared to separate himself from Boehner’s sentiment when asked about it at a Christian Science Monitor breakfast.
Cole and Boehner have tangled over Cole’s leadership at the NRCC. Cole also expressed confidence that the GOP can hold the seat.
“I think he’s got every right to do what he thinks,” Cole said. “I guess I believe in the American legal system. You’re allowed to go argue your case. I don’t tell people that they ought to resign, and I wouldn’t share that kind of discussion, honestly, in a public venue anyway.
“At the end of the day, Rick says he’s innocent. Rick’s going to argue that case. He has the right to do that,” Cole said.
Renzi is scheduled to be arraigned March 6.
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