Alma Rangel goes against husband; endorses Obama

[Tweed]

http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/02/01/its-official-alma-rangel-backs-obama/

"Alma Rangel, the wife of Representative Charles B. Rangel, has endorsed Barack Obama’s presidential bid, Mr. Obama’s campaign announced today. Mr. Rangel, the dean of Harlem politics, is a leading supporter of Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Mrs. Rangel said in a statement released by the Obama campaign:

'I believe Barack Obama has the ability to unify this country and the character to stand up for what’s right instead of what’s popular. Barack is a man of principle; a man whose faith in the greatness of our nation gives us hope, showing us what’s possible if we work together.

Barack Obama has brought energy and excitement back to the democratic process, calling on all Americans, young and old, to make their voices heard. Change is the air. Senator Obama is the future, part of the new generation of leaders who can inspire us to transform our country.'

Mrs. Rangel’s appearance on Wednesday at a fund-raiser for Senator Obama, led by his wife, Michelle Obama, surprised some of the people present, because of Mr. Rangel’s support for Mrs. Clinton."

[FrenchieCat]

1. Mr. Rangel endorsed too early......

I have to think that in his hearts of heart, he loves what he is seeing in Barack.

That's the message I'm getting on this from his wife's support. For his wife to go out and actually attend a fundraiser is high profile support for Obama

[elizm]

6. In the 2004 Convention Speech is it not Charlie Rangal in the background...

While Obama is giving that now infamous speech in 2004, there is a part in the video that shows Charlie Rangal looking around at the crowd and the enthusiam with a look of wonder in his eyes. It caught my attention the first time I watched the video. If you've never noticed it, check it out again sometime. I agree, you can't tell me that in his heart of hearts, it is Obama that he truly endorses. Not sure why he felt the pressure to go with the Clintons.

[FrenchieCat]

11. New York loyalties......he was the one who encouraged Hillary to run for the senate.....

They are tight....but still, he feels a bit torn, I believe.

But he was talking shit about Barack that he had to apologize for, during that whole "he ain't nothing but a black preacher" meme attempted.

So he's still in my doghouse.

[H2O Man]

7. That is interesting.

I believe that Rangel has mixed feelings. I heard someone on the news say that his wife would not have publicly endorsed Obama if he had asked her not to.

I have an old photo of Rangel and Malcolm on the steps of the state building in Albany, NY. I've liked him for a long time. An old associate used to work for him, but is now retired. He always had a lot of good things to say about Rangel.

[MonkeyFunk]

2. "goes against husband"?

by expressing her own opinion?

[Tweed]

3. I see what your saying

but that's not what I was going for. More along the lines of I am against you and Clinton and Obama are against each other.

[MonkeyFunk]

4. Never go against the family...

[sazemisery]

5. Wake up! Classic case of fence straddling.

Rep. Rangel endorsed Hillary when she was riding high. Now that the momentum has changed, this is a way for him to win either way. The Rangel's are a powerful couple and have played this game a long time. Don't get me wrong, I'm not putting them down for it. It's a classic play in the rule book.

[MethuenProgressive]

8. Sexism in the OP's title.

Should she have just been an obedient and submissive wife?

[Nimrod2005]

9. Amen

[krkaufman]

10. Someone on Friday's Countdown suggested that it was probably ...

... Rangel covering his bet, now that Obama is surging in New York.

[mrmx9]

12. Can't husbands and wives have different political opinions - James Carville and Mary Matalin

[krkaufman]

13. Ummm... yes.

But that doesn't change the fact of what I reported in the previous post. Direct your complaint and/or concern to the dude on Countdown.