Rep. Charles Rangel: Media set harsh tone of NY-13 race; Sharpton would endorse him over rivals

CORINNE LESTCH

Rep. Charles Rangel called himself a "moral man" and "nice guy" in the race for the 13th Congressional District, but continued to raise the issue of race again between himself and his top challenger, Bronx state Sen. Adriano Espaillat.

"Pundits say I'm in trouble because there are more Latinos in the Bronx than blacks," said Rangel. "I don't know what motivated (Espaillat), if not that, to run."

Rangel, who has been criticized sharply by the Rev. Al Sharpton for race-baiting during his congressional campaign, spoke to reporters before taking part in a rally to bring back the three Israeli teenagers who were kidnapped in the West Bank.

When asked if he would like Sharpton's endorsement he said, "I have no reason to believe that he would endorse anybody, and if he does endorse, it would be me."

http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailypolitics/rep-charles-rangel-talks-harsh-tone-congressional-race-week-election-sharpton-endorse-candidates-blog-entry-1.1834493