The Lion of Harlem is still roaring, and could probably win one more

The six candidates present at the debate last Saturday were each holding their own. The event, which I moderated, was sponsored by the West Harlem Progressive Democratic Club and was the latest in a growing list of forums and debates for those vying to succeed U.S. Rep. Charles B. Rangel.

As a general rule, I don't usually moderate political debates or forums. There are too many restrictions and they usually play to the interests of a favored candidate or the hosts. Those interests manifest themselves in a variety of ways that are, at times, blatantly insulting to the collective intelligence of the attendees. And some are excruciatingly boring.

This time, it was the opportunity to see and hear, firsthand, what Keith Wright, Guillermo Linares, Adam Clayton Powell IV, Suzan Johnson Cook, Clyde Williams and Mike Gallagher had to offer the people of the 13th Congressional District. (Adriano Espaillat skipped this one.)

The questions were designed to elicit a general sense of what these congressional aspirants had to offer. What would they bring to the diverse district?

Among the questions I asked were: Looking over the 44-year tenure of Congressman Rangel, what do you think is his greatest accomplishment, and how would you continue his success in the area you define as his best? That was followed by: What would you say is Congressman Rangel’s greatest failure? How would you address it?

The give-and-take had a nice rhythm.

Then, one hour into the debate, Charlie Rangel walked into the room with Alma, his wife of 62 years. They make a beautiful couple – well dressed and friendly.

“Well, look who's here.” I said. The room lit up and erupted in applause. Some stood, including most of the candidates. It was a true party crashing by Rangel – there was no confirmation from Rangel’s office to Corey Ortega, the executive board member of the political club, that the congressman would be attending.

At 85, Rangel’s still got enough of a strut in his walk that one would think he’s ready for another campaign. He was dressed as elegant as ever – a sharp leather jacket with a colorful yellow scarf. He even had a multi-colored design covering his eye – a keepsake from a children's health event he had attended earlier.

I wasn't about to let the moment go to waste. I invoked privilege as the forum moderator and asked Rangel what qualities he is looking for in the candidate he would be voting for to replace him.

I put the Dean of the New York Congressional delegation on the spot. I asked him to come up and tell us. Rangel flashed his Cheshire grin and took center stage without missing a beat. Words won’t do Rangel’s performance justice, but thankfully a video shot by Azi Paybarah of Politico New York (go to the 59:45 mark and watch until 1:07) captured the Lion of Harlem’s roar.  

This is the man that in 2012 was left for dead politically, with questions swirling about his physical health. Well, New York bore witness to the inner strength of a warrior whose survival instincts were that of a champion pugilist defending his title.

“Charlie just sucked up all the oxygen in the room,” one of the 13th district candidates told me in a telephone conversation the Monday after the event. He sure did. If it were not for the promise he made to Alma to retire, Rangel probably would have one more win in him.

Say whatever you want about Charlie Rangel. And believe me, during the past four and a half decades, barrels of ink have been spilled on him, good and bad. He’s going out undefeated and undaunted. How many politicos can we say that about in New York City, New York state or, for that matter, the United States?

I can hear the Lion roar in agreement.