NEW YORK, Aug. 6 (UPI) -- U.S. Rep. Charles Rangel's ethical woes have tempered his birthday celebration, with high-profile guests sending regrets for not attending the bash, aides said.
Aides said high-profile guests have either declined or publicly agonized about whether they'll attend next week's bash, The New York Times reported Friday. One representative said he could not make it because he was marching in a local firefighters' parade. A second said she had to visit family out of town. Another said he would be traveling -- in nearby Connecticut.
Organizers reserved the main ballroom at the Plaza Hotel in New York, booked diva Aretha Franklin and sent a video invitation featuring a testimonial from Bill Clinton -- who also declined, saying he had to be in Arkansas.
"It is hurtful to him," said H. Carl McCall, a Rangel friend. "He is frustrated."
Rangel's supporters say the congressman, whose birthday actually was June 11, has been very generous with funds and counsel to the lawmakers now turning their backs on him.
"Loyalty counts," McCall told the Times. "They have to live with the fact that they were helped, but when somebody else needed help, they were not there."
Many colleagues said the timing of his birthday party, which doubles as a campaign fundraiser, is bad because it is during the August recess in a year when many lawmakers face tough re-election bids.
Still, many luminaries have confirmed they will attend, including New York Mayor Michel Bloomberg, U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., Rep. Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y., and Gov. David Paterson, Rangel's office said.
"We have had a strong response, and we think it's going to be a good party," said Bob Liff, a spokesman for the Rangel campaign.
