Rangel gives Barack Obama the green light (and a word about a possible Clark run)

[jefferson_dem]

Rangel gives Barack Obama the green light

January 7, 2007

By RAY RIVERA The New York Times

NEW YORK — Are Charles B. Rangel's loyalties mixed?

Rangel, the longtime Harlem congressman, has let it be known he encouraged Barack Obama to run for president, which could complicate the presidential ambitions of Rangel's fellow New York Democrat, Hillary Rodham Clinton.

"I told him if he didn't run, he'd regret it, and that he's a young man and he ought to test the waters," Rangel said in an interview Saturday, echoing comments he made on MSNBC and that will appear in the coming issue of New York magazine.

He said he also told Obama that he was following Clinton's moves "and that as dean of the New York delegation, I had obligations, and he would have to understand that," Rangel said.

Asked if that meant he would support Clinton, he said it was too early to say. And he added, "I got a call recently from my good friend Wes Clark who said he's still contemplating entering the race."

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http://www.timesargus.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070107/NEWS01/701070413/1002/NEWS01

[Eurobabe]

1. Interesting article!

Obama or Clark or Gore would be fine by me. :hi:

[seabeyond]

2. good to know. if kerry doesnt run i can go for clark. n/t

[abburdlen]

3. the more the merrier

He (Rangel) said that Democrats "should have as many exciting candidates up front as we can get, so we can find out who's electable and who can best lead our country."

exciting candidates? What does Rangel have against Biden? :)

[Adelante]

4. RUN WES RUN nt

[PaDem]

5. Are you from the Montpelier area?

Former Times Argus employee here.

[Auntie Bush]

10. No she isn't. Was from NJ ...but moved to mexico.

Very big and involved/interested in Wes Clark.

Maybe WesDem will come back and answer for herself.

[Pithy Cherub]

6. Rangel is championing three candidates.

My three are Clark, Gore, Obama. :)

[goclark]

7. I love it that he is not putting down anyone but

;ifting UP our Democrats.

[bigdarryl]

8. Whats up with this guy he tells Obama to run but he's suporting Hillary

[FrenchieCat]

9. Actually Rangel is currently supporting as many as want to get into the race

with his determination as to whom he would back based on where we are as a nation once candidates have entered the contest.

He supports Obama to get in because he feels that Obama has nothing to lose and everything to gain by getting into a national contest.

He supports Hillary to get in because he is from New York and so is she.

He supports Wes Clark to get ine, cause that's who Rangel supported last time and he would possibly support him for the same reasons; we need someone who's been there and done that in reference to foreign Relations and National Security in particular because the others that he supports have limited experience in this arena.

In essence, Charlie Rangle understands what's good for our Democracy; a wide range of choices and as many voices as possible for the purpose of this country having a meaningful dialogue in reference to who and why such and such should become the nominee.

Rangel as always sounds mighty smart to me.

[Auntie Bush]

11. Now, that's what I call a great explanation! n/t