When Washington Times reporter Kerry Pickett confronted Charlie Rangel last night about whether he received a lighter punishment than an ordinary citizen would have if found guilty of the same charges, the censured Democrat made a startling admission: "I don't deal in average American citizens."

Here's a transcript via Pickett's blog:

REP. RANGEL: What is the question?

PICKET: I'm just asking what is your response to criticism that if the average American citizen. Someone who is not a congressman

REP. RANGEL:Please, I'm not a psychiatrist. I don't deal in average American citizens. Citizens are diverse. They are broad. I don't know what is average, and so I don't really agree... I'll come back to you when you think of a good question.