JUDAS McMAHON

A labor leader likened Rep. Mike McMahon to Judas during a City Hall rally held this morning to thank members of the city’s congressional delegation for their support of the health care reform bill, the DN's Frank Lombardi reports.

The remark by Chris Shelton, vice president of the Communications Workers of America, District One, drew laughs and cheers from others participating in the rally.

Neither Rep. Charles Rangel nor Rep. Nydia Velazquez, who were on hand for the event, objected to the negative characterization of their colleague, although Rangel did note that Judas (the betrayer of Christ) was eventually forgiven.

Shelton, (who is standing to Rangels right in the photo below), noted that today is Holy Thursday, which is commemorated by Christians as the day of the Last Supper.

He pointed out that meals was attended by12 faithful disciples who “had the guts to get up and do the right thing" - just like the 12 members of the city's delegation who voted "yes" on health care.

There was also, Shelton said, “one traitor, named Judas, who was a traitor and didn’t do the right thing for the people at the time.”

"We’re here today to thank the 12 people in the Congressional delegation in New York City who had the guts to stand up and do the right thing for the people, and the one from Staten Island - that Judas in Staten Island - who decided that the people didn’t matter that he was going to do what he was going to do.”