The Morning Read: Tuesday, July 15, 2008

The Washington Post reports that Charlie Rangel is soliciting donations for an academic institution (named after himself) from companies that have business before the House Ways and Means Committee, which Rangel chairs.

Rangel decided to stop using one of his four rent-stabilized apartments as a campaign office.

A Rangel spokeswoman told the Daily News that it's uncertain when the move will happen.

Some Democrats in Washington, feel that the Obama campaign, as one staffer tells Politico, has become "insufferable."

Barack Obama will meet with Palestinian leaders when he's abroad.

Ruben Diaz, Sr.'s decision to run on both the Republican and Democratic tickets “couldn't come at a worse time for Democrats,” writes Brendan Scott.

Tom Golisano donated $3,800 to the candidate running against Democratic Assemblyman Sam Hoyt.

Republicans tapped Bob Straniere to replace Frank Powers as the Republican Congressional candidate on Staten Island.

Jonathan Hicks calls it a “dramatic reversal of fortunes" for Straniere.

The New York Post editorial board calls Bloomberg’s new formula for calculating poverty “beyond naive,” fearing that he’ll use it to expand social programs.

Al Sharpton and Joel Klein try pushing their education agenda with the presidential candidates.

A former executive director of the Port Authority asked the U.S. Attorney to investigate the delays at Ground Zero.

An M.T.A. executive who was fined for taking gifts just won a consulting job with the Port Authority.

The Wall Street Journal editorial board hammered Chuck Schumer over the letter he wrote to IndyMac's regulators.

The New York Times spent a lot of time with Hakim Jeffries.

Out of work New Yorkers may be eligible for 13 more weeks of benefits.

Seth Gitell of The Sun makes the argument for Mitt Romney as the Republican running mate.

And Jesse Ventura is not running for Senate.