HARLEM — U.S. Rep. Charles Rangel, who announced his retirement last year, doesn't think much of his would-be successors.
When asked if he could beat five congressional candidates who participated in a public forum Thursday night, the politician of 45 years didn’t hesitate.
“There is absolutely no question,” he said with a smile.
The Democratic representative, who has held the seat since 1971, was front and center at the unofficial kickoff to the race for his replacement. It was the first opportunity for candidates to introduce themselves to constituents in a public setting.
Rangel was not impressed. When asked if any candidate stood out as a front runner he replied, “not enough for you to report it.”
The congressman declined to endorse any candidate publicity at the forum. In December the New York Post reported that he plans to back state Assemblyman Keith Wright.
The assemblyman, along with state Sens. Bill Perkins and Adriano Espaillat, did not show up to the forum. Wright and Perkins RSVP'd but backed out days before the event and Espaillat did not respond to an invitation, according to the organizers.
The congressman called their absence a missed opportunity.
“I’m surprised,” he said. “All I know is that as a candidate I could not think of not taking advantage of any five people that were coming together to hear me.”
