It’s Official: Alma Rangel Backs Obama

[CatWoman]

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.
To be sure, the Rangels are not the only politically prominent family that has have expressed split views on which candidate to support. Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Democrat of Massachusetts, and his niece Caroline Kennedy, the daughter of President John F. Kennedy, who was assassinated in 1963, have endorsed Mr. Obama. But three children of Senator Robert F. Kennedy, who was assassinated in 1968, have endorsed Mrs. Clinton: Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, the former lieutenant governor of Maryland; Robert F. Kennedy Jr., an environmental lawyer; and Kerry Kennedy, a human-rights activist.

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

[goldcanyonaz]

1. Just like the country, they're split too.

[Dogmudgeon]

2. I thought she already had endorsed him

I guess I was half-listening to pundits discussing it before.

--p!

[Kittycat]

3. She attended a fund raising event, but I don't think it was official

Gobama!

[MADem]

4. Gee, and this is the first time I've heard her weigh in on ANYTHING!!!

But stop those presses!

:rofl:

She can do what she'd like, but I'm not going to be "impressed." My postman likes Clinton!

[grantcart]

5. there are going to be some frosty homes Tuesday night

I wonder if the Clinton's is going to be one of them

[Radical Activist]

6. It makes you wonder about Charlie's endorsement.

Wouldn't he ask her to keep her support quiet if he felt that strongly about it? Maybe he backed Clinton because he felt he owed them something or he's having second thoughts.

[CatWoman]

7. husbands and wives have the right to disagree with one another

no? :shrug:

[Radical Activist]

9. They don't often do it so publicly

in a political family. I'm sure they discussed it first.

[rocktivity]

8. According to a July '07 New York Daily News story

Harlem congressman Charles Rangel and his wife, Alma, have been living apart for some time and divorce is likely, according to sources.

The separation, although not public, has been known in political circles for months, says a Washington insider.

The congressman spoke to me Friday and declined to comment about his relationship with his wife. But he specifically denied a claim by a source that he had been dating other women.

link

:shrug:
rocknation

[CatWoman]

10. lol

ole charlie is a playa!!

:rofl:

[VolcanoJen]

11. Hedging their bets?

I'm with Alma on this one. :-)