Charlie Rangel Remains the King of Harlem

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

He defied President Barack Obama.

He defied the Democratic establishment.

And now Rep. Charles Rangel, in an Election Day victory dripping with irony and vindication, has proven his many critics wrong for doubting his re-election chances.

The voters of Harlem tossed aside concerns over the huge ethical cloud hanging over Rangel's head and appeared set to return him to office with a victory over Adam Clayton Powell IV, the son of the man Rangel unseated to win election to Congress 40 years ago.

Since the Harlem district is heavily Democratic, Rangel is certain to win re-election in November's general election.

It was just weeks ago that a tired-looking Rangel appeared on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives, imploring his colleagues not to judge him too severely on the 13 charges he is facing, including failing to report and pay taxes on rental income from a beach villa in the Dominican Republic and four apartments he owns in Manhattan.

Rangel is far too wise to publicly gloat in the face of President Obama or other leading Democrats, but if you know anything about human nature or the pride of an old politician, you know he would like to show off just a little.

Obama joined a chorus lead by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, seeking to nudge Rangel aside in to forced retirement for what they believed was the good of the national Democratic Party.

Whether Rangel's decision to stay in the race hurt other Democrats will take some time to figure out as political observers dissect election results for the next few days.

But as far as his own race went, beating back the most serious challenge of his political career proved Democratic bigwigs wrong.

Voter loyalty to a veteran Harlem politician provided an ironic undertone to Rangel's victory last night.

Adam Clayton Powell Jr., the father of last night's second place finisher, represented Harlem in Congress from 1945-1970. When Powell was charged with mismanaging government funds for personal use, the House Democratic Caucus stripped Powell of his committee chairmanship.

On the brink of political extinction, Harlemites returned Powell to office in the election of 1968.

Harlem voters proved yet again last night that they are loyal to their Congressional representatives, no matter what charges are hanging over their head.

That loyalty helped Adam Clayton Powell Jr. in 1968, but it hurt Adam Clayton Powell IV in 2010.

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