By Jill Colvin
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
MIDTOWN — Scandal, what scandal?
Harlem Rep. Charlie Rangel's troubles with the House ethics committee seemed a million miles away Wednesday night as supporters packed into the Plaza Hotel to dance and drink in celebration of the congressman's 80th birthday.
"I'm so moved," Rangel said as he stared out into the cheering crowd in the Plaza's Grand Ballroom. "This is absolutely, totally unbelievable."
Despite early fears that the 13 charges against the congressman would scare off would-be partygoers worried about the upcoming elections, Wednesday night's attendance sheet read like a who's-who of New York politics, with hundreds on hand to celebrate and show their support.
Gov. David Paterson served as M.C., introducing a parade of city and state pols, including Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand and City Council Speaker Christine Quinn.
Paterson kicked off the praise-filled program by describing Rangel as "one of the most distinguished, hard-working public servants New York City has ever seen."
Bloomberg echoed the sentiments, but not before taking a shot at the few politicians who had decided not to attend.
"I know some people couldn’t be tonight. Either they had to get a haircut unexpectedly, or they were sure they'd have a headache," he said to laughs.
"They were with you for as long as they could be," he told Rangel.
Rev. Al Sharpton repeated his support for the Congressman, saying that "we showed up for Charlie Rangel tonight because Charlie Rangel always stands up for us."
But Sharpton also had a pointed message for the press: "You have executed a political crucifixion. But stay tuned for the resurrection," he preached.
"Charlie Rangel will rise from the ashes… We will rise like the phoenix rises again."
Those who served with Rangel in Washington, D.C. took the opportunity to share stories of how Harlem's rep had taken them under his wing and showed them the ropes.
Attorney General and gubernatorial candidate Andrew Cuomo, whom Paterson introduced as the future governor of the state, also credited Rangel for his legislative work, including securing low-income housing for the state.
After blowing out his birthday candles, a glowing Rangel thanked his supporters again and again.
"I can't tell you how moving this has been," he said. "We're going to win this one."
Before directing the crowds to the open bar, he asked them to "please remember me in your prayers."
Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver said he has confidence Rangel will pull through.
"When the going gets tough, the tough get going. That's Charlie Rangel. Through every obstacle, through every storm. You have fought the fight, longer and more vigorously that anyone I know," he said.
Quinn thanked Rangel on behalf of the City Council for his work for the city.
"You've have always had our back," Quinn said. "I am so proud and honored to have this moment to stand with you and I look forward to a million more."
The event, a fundraiser tied to Rangel's birthday, attracted one of the largest crowds Rangel had ever wrangled, Paterson said.
"And we'd heard no one was going to come," he joked.
Harlem's Maxine McCrey, who is in her sixties, said she was blown away by the outpouring of support.
"It’s wonderful, so wonderful, to have all of these people here. The media said they wouldn't be here. They’re here. We're all here," she said, as Dionne Warwick serenaded the crowd with "That's What Friends Are For."
"In good times, and bad times, I'll be on your side!" she sang along.
The night, however, did begin with some drama, as former Mayor David Dinkins reportedly gave a Rangel protester the middle finger as he entered the hotel.
After shouting, "You know that you’re going to the party of a crook," Joey Boots, 43, from the Upper West Side, said Dinkins "flipped me off."
But Boots didn't seem all that bothered.
"I'm going to be telling my grandchildren one day," he said.
