Rangel vs. Sharpton
By ALEX ISENSTADT | 5/23/14 5:03 AM EDT Updated: 5/23/14 4:16 PM EDT
HARLEM For decades, theyve battled for supremacy atop Harlems political order: Democratic Rep. Charles Rangel, the polished committee chairman and power broker, and the Rev. Al Sharpton, the tracksuit-clad bomb-throwing civil rights leader.
Now Sharpton, looking svelte and dapper on his daily MSNBC show, may have his chance to finally take out Rangel at age 83 and in the toughest, almost certainly final, reelection fight of his 43-year congressional career.
Its a sweet turn for Sharpton, who could never quite win acceptance among the established political class here that Rangel led. When Sharpton, 59, ran for mayor and president, he was stung when the congressman sided with the Democratic Partys favorites instead. But now its Rangels turn to grovel.
The behind-the-scenes maneuvering pitting two of New York Citys most recognizable politicians has added a layer of intrigue to a congressional race already filled with drama. The campaign has centered on personal issues rather than policy ones: Rangel is reminding voters of his decades of service; his opponents are saying its time for a fresh face.
Read more: http://www.politico.com/story/2014/05/charlie-rangel-al-sharpton-107022.html#ixzz32ZX4ZWeJ