Despite Censure, Rangel Plans Re-Election Run

Filed under: News, Politics, President Obama, Race and Civil Rights

Is anyone really surprised that the King of Harlem, Rep. Charles Rangel is planning another run for his seat in the U.S. House of Representatives?

Rangel has already been censured by his peers for messy ethics violations including not paying all of his taxes and improper use of his office. Rangel fought tooth and nail to avoid the censure, calling in universally respected friends like Rep. John Lewis of Georgia to speak on his behalf.

It did no good. And that was a good thing because no matter how long one has served, how much power they have amassed or how many friends they have accumulated over the years, when a congressman's hand gets caught in the cookie jar, it needs to get smacked -- hard.

But now, what else does Rangel have to fear? Congress has imposed its punishment. Rangel took it. So why not put his name on the ballot again for another term?

Some might argue that Rangel is beginning to look like that party guest that doesn't know when to leave the shindig. That might be true. But isn't up to some Harlem politician to mount a viable challenge to topple Rangel from his perch?

Is there no candidate in all of Harlem ready to raise the issues, tackle the problems, answer the voters and debate the incumbent?

Here is another factor that favors Rangel running again.

The voters of Harlem knew all about Rangel's misdeeds prior to the last election. And virtually the entire Democratic establishment, including President Obama, leaned on Rangel to get out of the race.

Not only did Rangel fight on. With the ethics charges over his head, he won reelection.

So its clear that Charlie Rangel sees the Harlem congressional district as his very own. And it's up to a worthy candidate there to prove him wrong.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments