Harlem's distinguished Congressman Charlie Rangel talked to WNBC today and oh boy, that Clinton endorsement has started to do strange things to his head. Rangel has been in politics for a long time and has definitely done a lot of good things, but his assessment of the intracacies of the Democratic primary is just a little bit off.
From The Daily Politics:
Rep. Charlie Rangel, a key and outspoken Hillary Clinton supporter, chatted with WNBC's Gabe Pressman today and lamented the attacks that occurred during last night's Democratic debate, saying there's "no question" that both Clinton and Barack Obama "have done themselves damage in the November election."
"The Republicans are just listening to these personal attacks," Rangel said. "And quite frankly, Gabe, the sad thing is that this stuff really works, but it turns off voters, but it increases the number of voters for the person making the personal attacks I hope for the good of America, the Democratic Party, and certainly November, that they try to stick with the issues, and that is what's going to make a more prosperous, a more secure America."
Rangel went on to insist that the Republicans are no better, and the Democrats can only benefit in the eyes of the voters by keeping their cool."We can't have this being turned into a food fight between two outstanding candidates," the Congressman said. "And poor Edwards is just on the side as a spectator rather than a participator. He has no clue about what's going on."
Rangel predicted Clinton and John McCain will still be standing after Super Duper Tuesday.
Well gee thanks Charlie. I know you support Hillary and all that, but come on, open your eyes. Edwards is hardly a spectator. His bold progressive stances have helped shape the debate that Americans (at least Democratic primary voters) want to hear about. They don't want the fighting like you say, they want to hear what John Edwards has to say and sometimes Hillary and Barack get that and touch on subjects like helping the Middle Class and fixing the health care system along with the rampant poverty that grows like a cancer across our country.
So Edwards is a shifter of the message and debate if anything. He may have not won a caucus or primary, but he has certainly done a lot for this race for the Democratic nomination.
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