Charles Rangel | The New York Observer

Harlem Power House Wants Addition

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 17:42:50 -0400

The owners of Lenox Terrace, a large central Harlem apartment complex with deep political roots, are planning a major new expansion on their property, a proposal that seems likely to set off a fight with the existing tenants.

But unlike most every other development battle in the city—which inevitably become political fights—the complex is literally the center of Harlem politics, as its tenants include Governor Paterson; Congressman Charles Rangel; Mr. Paterson’s father, Basil Paterson; and...

Rangel, Dinkins and the Never-Ending Parade

Mon, 22 Sep 2008 08:21:19 -0400

Charlie Rangel and David Dinkins perched on the back of a white convertible to ride the length of yesterday's African-American Day Parade on Adam Clayton Powell Boulevard in Harlem.

After the parade, when I walked over to Lenox Avenue to catch a ride to City Hall, there they were, still riding on the back of the car in the Sunday afternoon traffic, waving to onlookers and ignoring a scattered honks from other motorists.

I'm not...

Rangel Says It's Still Not Affecting Him

Mon, 22 Sep 2008 06:53:04 -0400

I asked Charlie Rangel yesterday after the African-American Day parade in Harlem about the attention he continues to get from the media about his unresolved ethics issues--and about how they've impacted him.

“Not at all. Not at all. I’ve got overwhelming support. Not one Democrat doesn’t support me. Republicans support me. I’m the top fund-raiser in the Democratic Party. If I was them, I’d be after me too,” Rangel said.

I asked if the probes have...

Wall Street Goes to Hell, Rangel Deals With 'Demons' of His Own

Thu, 18 Sep 2008 15:30:36 -0400

Has anyone noticed how little we've heard from Charlie Rangel since the financial meltdown?

Right when crisis-stricken Wall Street firms might have expected some help from their hometown congressman, who's also chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, Rangel has been busy fending off criticism brought on by very public investigations by the New York Post and The New York Times, which prompted an investigation by the House Ethics Committee.

“He’s sort of...

Thompson: Media 'Piling On' Rangel

Mon, 08 Sep 2008 09:41:09 -0400

Yesterday, speaking at a church rally for Representative Ed Towns, City Comptroller Bill Thompson took a moment to defend another guest at the event, Representative Charlie Rangel, who has recently been the subject of a number of critical news stories about his ethics.

Thompson said of Rangel, "He has been fighting the battle for years, and now he’s the chairman of the most powerful committee in the House of Representatives, and all of a...

Rangel: What Returned Donation?

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 15:48:05 -0400

DENVER—This morning, The New York Post reported that a $100,000 donation from Charlie Rangel's political action committee to the Democratic National Committee was returned because Barack Obama does not want the organization to take money from P.A.C.s.Rangel says he doesn't know anything about it.

As the congressman left a closed-door lunch at the Sheraton this afternoon, I asked him about the story--and mentioned the source.

He turned to one of his aides and...

Hillary Says She Will Free Delegates To Vote, Maybe For Her

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 13:03:05 -0400

Hillary Clinton is still sending mixed messages.

Speaking at a press conference this morning following a breakfast with the New York delegation at the Sheraton hotel in Denver, during which called on her supporters to support Barack Obama, she said she would release her delegates to vote for Obama on Wednesday and would vote for Obama herself. But Clinton also argued that her delegates should have the chance to vote for her during Wednesday’s convention...

Rangel on Immigration, Bad Guys

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 14:14:01 -0400

At the Dominican Bar Association's legislative breakfast, Charlie Rangel told attendees that the only answer to the nation's need for better immigration law is to implement amnesty.

The sparsely attended event was held this morning on West 44th Street.

Rangel criticized the compromise immigration plan proposed by fellow Democrat Ted Kennedy (and co-sponsored by John McCain), saying it was confusing and impractical.

Then, at around the 2:00 mark, Rangel references the law enforcement agents...

Paging Olnick! Rangel's Landlord a Bit Press Shy

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 19:23:51 -0400

Never heard of the Olnicks? Aside from industry insiders, pretty much no one had until July 11, when The New York Times revealed that, amid an affordable housing crisis, Congressman Charles Rangel had been hoarding four rent-stabilized apartments in the Olnick’s Lenox Terrace complex in Harlem.

It may be hard to believe that in a city so consumed with itself, so dedicated to narcissism and self-love, money and power, the Olnicks would...

Weiner as a Middle-Class-Friendly Bloomberg

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 11:23:22 -0400

At the Crain's business breakfast breakfast this morning Representative Anthony Weiner spoke about "saving" New York's middle class, a theme that is likely to be at the center of his mayoral campaign.

The crux of Weiner’s speech, at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Manhattan, focused on job development. He did not rule out raising taxes, but did say that high taxes stymie job development. He defended the policy that prevents Wal-Mart (but not...

Ask About Rent-Stabilization

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 11:08:44 -0400

City Room has a Q-and-A thread going on rent-stabilization with housing lawyer Joel E. Abramson. Wonder why....

Paterson's Affordable Housing Ads

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 11:19:01 -0400

Three days after the New York Times reported that Representative Charlie Rangel rents four rent-stabilized apartments in Harlem, Rangel's neighbor, Governor David Paterson, unveiled this public service announcement on the topic of housing for non-rich people, featuring actor Edward Norton, and two others featuring former Giant Tiki Barber and former Met (briefly) Mo Vaughn.

Paterson’s office said the ads began airing on July 14. In an press release announcing the ads, Paterson’s office...

Watchdog Calls For Federal Investigation Into Rangel Apartments

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 12:24:18 -0400

Conservative watchdog the National Legal and Policy Center has called on the Federal Election Commission to investigate Congressman Charles Rangel's rent-stabilized apartments in Harlem, including one used as a campaign office.

Release on the FEC complaint here. More on the Rangel imbroglio in The Observer here and here. (Hat tip:...

If Rangel's Four Apartments Counted As One...

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 16:37:53 -0400

In his colorful response today to a Times story on the four rent-stabilized apartments he rents, Representative Charles Rangel said repeatedly (as captured in video by The Observer’s Azi Paybarah) that the below-market-rate apartments are not a gift (which would need to be reported per campaign finance law).

“If you’re paying the legal rent, and without the law, the rent could be higher, just what school did you go to that you could misinterpret...

The Rangel Wrangle on YouTube

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 14:33:54 -0400

Hat tip:...

Lay Off Rangel (At Least a Little Bit)

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 14:16:58 -0400

Rent stabilization is one of the nation's most successful affordable-housing initiatives since World War II, but it's increasingly harder to defend thanks to the sorts of performances today by Representative Charles Rangel of Harlem.

As The Times' City Room blog notes, Mr. Rangel was recalcitrant, rude and vulgar in his defense of renting four stabilized apartments in Harlem's Lenox Terrace complex at West 135th Street. Here he is responding to a question from Times...

Charlie Rangel Begs to Disagree With the Premise

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 14:10:26 -0400

Here’s Charlie Rangel responding, after a fashion, to a question from Jeremy Peters of The New York Times about those four apartments he occupies at below-market rates.

Rangel on His Rent-Stabilized Apartments: 'Fairness Is So Subjective'

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 13:11:32 -0400

The Times' Sewell Chan has a run-down on Representative Charles Rangel's public defense today of his four rent-stabilized apartments in Harlem. Mr. Rangel, who entered Congress in 1970, a year after the state introduced rent-stabilization in New York City, seems rather flustered by all the attention:

Toward the end of his news conference, Mr. Rangel suggested that it was absurd that he should be criticized, asking rhetorically whether he should place an ad...

Rangel Versus The New York Times

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 12:54:19 -0400

Charlie Rangel is not pleased with The New York Times.

Dogged by a Times reporter after a just-ended press conference in which the dean of the New York Congressional delegation claimed he did nothing wrong by combining a series of rent stabilized apartments into one residence, Rangel bristled at the suggestion that his low rent amounted to an illegal gift from his landlords.

“Paying the legal rent is not...

Lawyer Says Rangel's Apartments Could Be 'Quite Kosher'

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 12:06:01 -0400

Manhattan real estate attorney Lucas Ferrara (who recently fielded questions from New York Times readers about landlord and tenant issues) thinks there's nothing inherently wrong with Charlie Rangel having four rent-stabilized apartments.

Asked for comment, Ferrara e-mailed:

What's wrong with that? :)

The mere fact that he may have multiple apartments in his name is not necessarily indicative of some irregularity or misconduct.

The number of units is not the principal consideration or...

Dinkins and Rangel Sign on to Tingling's Campaign

Thu, 26 Jun 2008 09:25:28 -0400

David Dinkins has been named campaign chairman for Manhattan Surrogate's Court candidate Milton Tingling. The campaign also announced that Charlie Rangel will serve as honorary chair. Ravi Batra (of Law and Order fame) is serving as the finance chair.

It just adds a bit more name recognition to this competitive, quiet race.

Tingling is running against Nora Anderson and John Reddy....

Rangel and Company Endorse Obama

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 15:04:04 -0400

Charlie Rangel and the New York Democratic congressional delegation announced their endorsement of Barack Obama today in Washington, D.C.

Rangel said, “We come here collectively to endorse the decision that has been made by our fearless leader, who comes as a member of the state of New York that makes us so proud, and we’re here to laud her efforts and what she is about to do.”

He added, "It was a great campaign."

(Mark Halperin...

New Yorkers Raising Money for a Florida Hopeful

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 10:20:47 -0400

Some prominent members of the New York congressional delegation are raising money for a Florida congressional candidate, Christine Jennings, who lost a race against a Republican in 2006 by just 396 votes.

The seat, which opened up when Katherine Harris decided to run for Senate, was ultimately won by Vern Buchanan and now Jennings is mounting another challenge.

The invitation lists Charlie Rangel, Carolyn Maloney, Joe Crowley and Jerry Nadler for the June 13...

Rangel on the Role of Superdelegates

Mon, 18 Feb 2008 12:10:22 -0500

Charlie Rangel, a major supporter of Hillary Clinton, is joining Chuck Schumer and a growing number of superdelegates who think the Democratic nominee should reflect the popular vote, not the will of the superdelegates.

From Newsday:

"It's the people [who are] going to govern who selects our next candidate and not superdelegates," Rangel said last night at a dinner for the New York State Association of Black and Puerto Rican Legislators conference in Albany.

Martinez on Hillary's Harlem Win

Thu, 14 Feb 2008 09:35:26 -0500

City Councilman Miguel Martinez was one of the politicians who helped deliver Hillary Clinton's February 5 primary win in Harlem, which looked far from a sure thing beforehand, despite the support she had from much of the political establishment in the district.

Yesterday at City Hall, Martinez talked about what happened, and then told me what he'll do after his City Council term...

Rangel Somewhat Less Certain About a Clinton Victory

Mon, 04 Feb 2008 05:57:52 -0500

Charlie Rangel was busy yesterday morning.

On his way to speak at three churches uptown within 90 minutes, Rangel made an unscheduled stop at West 155th Street, where Clinton supporters were kicking off a 61-block march north.

“Okay, what a gorgeous day,” said Rangel when he emerged from his Cadillac, surrounded by campaign volunteers and reporters.

When I asked what this primary meant...

New York on Saturday: Obama Surrogates Defiant, Hillary Supporters Efficient, Rangel Unworried

Sat, 02 Feb 2008 22:22:28 -0500

Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama weren’t in New York today, but their supporters were.

A rally for Obama at Columbus Circle this afternoon was billed as a show of strength among women, but the theme, judging from at least one speaker, was a changing of the guard in New York politics.

“County leaders don’t run me—other elected officials don’t run me," City Council member Helen Diane Foster of...

In S.C., Rangel Girds for Campaign, Lunch

Thu, 24 Jan 2008 14:12:33 -0500

WEST COLUMBIA, S.C.—We were at a community center attached to a megachurch-ish place called the Brookland Baptist Church. No one seemed to know we were coming. Charlie Rangel ambled in, looking Ranglian. He took three questions. The first, from a Greenville news reporter, was basically, what are you doing here.

"I have no idea,” Rangel responded. “I'm campaigning for Hillary Cllnton and this is my first stop...I'm here to do what campaigning is all about."

The...

Rangel Uncertain After Debate, Pleased Greenspan 'Found His Voice'

Tue, 22 Jan 2008 11:45:00 -0500

Discussing George W. Bush's proposed economic stimulus package this morning from the podium at the A.B.N.Y. breakfast at the Sheraton, Charlie Rangel shied away from saying outright that he would discontinue the Bush tax cuts when they expire in 2010.

"As most of you know, there seems to be a lot of concern about whether or not the tax cuts of President Bush will be extended" he said. "Well, people have asked me, as...

Sharpton, Rangel Assess Truce By Clinton, Obama

Tue, 15 Jan 2008 20:10:19 -0500

“It’s going to be ethnic politics as usual,” said Al Sharpton during a commercial break from his radio show on Tuesday afternoon, a few minutes before Bill Clinton called in to defend his wife’s campaign, once again, against allegations of racial insensitivity. “The beyond-racial candidates are having the biggest racial attack I’ve seen in a long time.”

“All of a sudden,” Mr. Sharpton added, “we are back in The Bonfire of...

George Soros to Host John Hall Fundraiser

Tue, 20 Nov 2007 14:40:05 -0500

John Hall, a freshman Democratic congressmember from the Hudson Valley, is having a fund-raiser at the home of Democratic super-donor George Soros on December 17, and Representative Charlie Rangel will be in attendance.Tickets start at $500.

The invite notes that Hall is a Democrat facing a tough re-election, and:

“won election by the closest margin of any N.Y. race last year. He was on Karl Rove’s now notorious target list and is already...

Spitzer's Real ID Shift Goes Against Congressional Dems Too

Wed, 31 Oct 2007 12:50:04 -0400

It's worth noting that Hillary Clinton isn’t the only one trying to get squared away with Eliot Spitzer’s new license policy.

The governor’s (original) plan would have allowed illegal immigrants to obtain a driver's license, but now it's being linked to federal guidelines that will be outlined in the Real ID Act. Although Spitzer backed Real ID this week, a number of Democratic congress members from New York opposed...

Hillary's Harlem Speaks

Sun, 28 Oct 2007 23:28:06 -0400

"She is no stranger here," said Calvin Butts, the Pastor of the Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem, where a "homecoming" rally was held for Hillary Clinton on Saturday.

In a very specific way, at least, the origins of Clinton's Senate career can be traced back to the 125th Street offices of Charlie Rangel, who, Clinton lore has it, was the first person to suggest she run for office. Rangel is also credited with finding...

Rangel Unimpressed With Obama's Offense

Tue, 16 Oct 2007 09:35:54 -0400

Fun quote from New York congressional dean and Hillary supporter Charlie Rangel from a recent conversation about Barack Obama's criticism of Clinton's vote in favor of a bill labeling Iran's Revolutionary Guard a terrorist group:

"Poor Obama. He thinks he is raising hell by saying he didn’t like Hillary’s vote. He thinks that's an attack, you know? Well, goddamn. They can get me to say I don’t like her vote either, but that’s not an...

NYC Council in DC

Tue, 18 Sep 2007 12:46:36 -0400

A reader in DC called in to remind me that a number of City Council members were there last night for a dinner hosted by Rep. Joe Crowley, and to attend a breakfast there this morning hosted by Rep. Charlie Rangel.

They’re there to deliver the City Council’s federal agenda to Congressional lawmakers (and check out some new office space).

Does anyone know if anything...

Meeks Party With Spitzer and Rangel

Fri, 14 Sep 2007 09:51:48 -0400

A reader sent over this invitation to Gregory Meeks' October 5 fund-raiser. (Maybe this was an early...

Rangel's Big, Big Party

Tue, 24 Jul 2007 12:02:58 -0400

When Charie Rangel blew out his birthday cake last year, he had two wishes: "That we win back the House and I become Chairman of the Ways and Means committee."

That's according to an early invitation obtained by The Observer to his 77th birthday gala, set for August 8 at Tavern on the Green.

His dreams having finally come true, Mr. Rangel is apparently celebrating what one New York City contributor to his...

Sharpton and Rangel on the Racial Politics of Waste

Mon, 09 Jul 2007 12:21:49 -0400

Al Sharpton is going Michael Bloomberg one better in a fight over garbage facility siting here at the OEM building in Brooklyn, where the mayor is urging state lawmakers to approve a citywide garbage plan that includes using a state park in Manhattan as one of the trash-processing locations. "The mayor has said this is a city issue -- to me, it's also a civil rights issue," said Sharpton. "It seems to me ironic, if...

Rangel's Cake

Mon, 12 Mar 2007 08:12:24 -0400

Charlie Rangel, who said he doesn't want to see the debate about Medicaid spending turn into a "food fight," seemed ready for one on Saturday in Long Island City, where he was awarded the the Kung Hwa Medal by the Korean government. [Photo credit: Grace Meng.] -- Azi...

Rangel: Not a Psychiatrist

Fri, 09 Mar 2007 11:05:00 -0500

Representative Charlie Rangel just called now to explain his strident and surprisingly personal objections to Eliot Spitzer's health care spending plan, which included an assertion that the governor has an anger problem. In a brief interview with Rangel just now, he said, "We're going to have to clear the air if we're going to operate as professionals. Period. No further comment." He went on to say that the whole debate is "very unpleasant for me,"...

Spitzer's Response to Rangel

Thu, 08 Mar 2007 12:25:36 -0500

After Rep. Charlie Rangel reportedly called Eliot Spitzer's budget "disastrous," a spokeswoman for Spitzer emailed this response:

"The Governor's budget is good for the people of New York and New York City who will benefit from an historic investments in education and a move to patient centered health care. No amount of distortive rhetoric or advertising will cause the Governor to back down from the core reforms and necessary reality check embodied in this...

Rangel: Spitzer Cuts "Disastrous"

Thu, 08 Mar 2007 08:06:58 -0500

Charlie Rangel, who once sarcastically called Eliot Spitzer "the smartest man in the world," said that Spitzer's health care spending plans would be "disastrous," the AP reports. Rangel attended a business breakfast last week at which Spitzer blasted the health care industry, but these are his first comments on the plan. -- Azi...

Crowley Stays On as Money Guy

Tue, 06 Mar 2007 04:30:00 -0500

Later today, Representative Joe Crowley of Queens will be reappointed as chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee's Business Council, the fund-raising arm that reaches into the deep pockets of business leaders nationwide. Crowley's fund-raising prowess was cited in the recent past by Charlie Rangel earlier as a reason to give him a seat on the tax-writing Ways and Means Committee. It seems he still has the touch. UPDATE: Crowley will also perform with his Bruce Springsteen...

Events for Friday, January 20-22, 2007

Fri, 19 Jan 2007 14:20:59 -0500

Saturday Starting at 10 a.m. Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrion will give veterans info about various services available to them, at the Bronx County Courthouse. At 6:30 p.m., the National Book Critics Circle will announce their award finalists, at the Housing Works Used Book Cafe. At 7 p.m., a taped interview of Hillary Clinton discussing her trip to Iraq and Afghanistan will air on CNN. Sunday At 9 a.m., Charlie Rangel will be honored at a breakfast at...

Rangel in '08

Mon, 15 Jan 2007 08:03:38 -0500

Mike Bloomberg, jokingly I think, just told the audience at the National Action Network's Martin Luther King Day event that his personal choice for president in 2008, standing on stage with him right now, is Charlie Rangel. Bloomberg also said that he's been known to change his mind. -- Azi...

After Huddle, Democrats May Punt on Iraq

Sun, 14 Jan 2007 19:00:00 -0500

Technically, the Democrats can end America’s presence in Iraq. They control Congress, they have the power over spending, and they can cut off the money that fuels the war. Technically. Despite polls showing Americans overwhelmingly opposed to the war, despite the mounting American military casualties, and despite the obvious ineffectiveness of the entire enterprise until now to bring stability to Iraq, Democrats at the very heart of the party’s anti-war wing still think...

In Today's Observer

Wed, 10 Jan 2007 05:16:43 -0500

Jason Horowitz writes about the efforts of Washington Democrats to assert themselves on Iraq without handing the Republicans a political gift. As Charlie Rangel put it: "The President will say we're in business with Osama bin Laden. Anytime, politically, you have to explain what you are saying, you have a problem. And so if I am there saying, 'Cut the funds for Iraq and the war in Iraq,' then someone is going to say,...

The Morning Read: Monday, January 8, 2007

Mon, 08 Jan 2007 04:09:04 -0500

Picking a new comptroller is dividing Democrats in Albany. Foreign policy questions are dividing Democrats who are running for president. Chuck Schumer thinks domestic issues will drive the agenda in 2008. Arnold Schwarzenegger wants Mike Michael Bloomberg to run. Charlie Rangel encouraged Barack Obama to run. Christine Quinn is apparently gearing up for a mayoral run by bringing aboard Hilary Keller, a key fundraiser for Eliot Spitzer. And Bloomberg told the Financial Times "those who worked their way up the...

Bush Broke Baghdad, But Democrats Still Break on Clean-Up

Sun, 17 Dec 2006 19:00:00 -0500

So now that the Democrats have won control of Congress, what should they do about the war in Iraq?

“I never understand that question,” answered Charlie Rangel, the incoming chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee. “You have a President that’s in deep shit. He got us into the war, and all the reasons he gave have been proven invalid, and the whole electorate was so pissed off that they got rid of...

Bush Broke Baghdad, But Democrats Still Break on Clean-Up

Sun, 17 Dec 2006 19:00:00 -0500

So now that the Democrats have won control of Congress, what should they do about the war in Iraq? “I never understand that question,” answered Charlie Rangel, the incoming chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee. “You have a President that’s in deep shit. He got us into the war, and all the reasons he gave have been proven invalid, and the whole electorate was so pissed off that they got rid of...