By Jon Schuppe
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
HARLEM — Rep. Charles Rangel, state Sen. Bill Perkins and the Democratic primary candidates looking to unseat them will answer questions Monday night at a forum sponsored by a neighborhood tenants-rights group.
The event was initially billed by its sponsor, Gang of 6, as a “forum/debate” in which Rangel and Perkins would “face off against their challengers." But that format was changed in recent days. Now, challengers will not be able to rebut the candidates’ answers to the questions posed, organizer Nancy Alexander said.
The new format benefits Rangel, who is under investigation by a House of Representative ethics panel, challenger Joyce Johnson said Monday.
“He has used his influence and power to force the organizers of tonight’s debate to change the rules at the 11th hour so he can take the stage alone,” Johnson said in a Monday morning statement. “It seems Congressman Rangel believes he's entitled to hold his seat without question or challenge. That's no version of democracy I recognize.”
Rangel spokesman Bob Liff said it was “absurd” to suggest the congressman was avoiding questions.
“What are they trying to suggest, that he’s ducking?” Liff said. “That they’re going to be tougher than the daily crunch of press coverage? Rangel does many things, but ducking is not one of them.”
Rangel recently defended himself in a speech on the House floor. He still enjoys the backing of much of the city's political elite.
Liff added that Rangel plans to participate in a debate being planned for Thursday night by the League of Women Voters of the City of New York.
Alexander declined to comment on details of the Gang of 6's format change, citing the recent “confusion.”
“The only thing I would think would be important is that each candidate will be asked questions by a moderator and have time to answer the questions by themselves,” Alexander said.
In addition to Johnson, Rangel is challenged in the Sept. 14 Democratic primary by State Assemblyman Adam Clayton Powell IV, labor activist Jonathan Tasini and banker Vincent Morgan. There is also a Republican, Michel Faulkner, running in the general election.
Perkins is being challenged by political strategist Basil Smikle.
The Monday event will be held at 6 p.m. at the Convent Avenue Baptist Church at 420 West 145th Street. The public is invited to attend.
The Democratic primary will be held Sept. 14.
