Bubba won’t endorse Rangel
Last Updated:
5:33 AM, May 18, 2012
Posted:
2:32 AM, May 18, 2012
Bill Clinton is abandoning his old ally Charles Rangel, who is fighting for his political life as he seeks re-election to a 22nd term, The Post has learned.
Harlem Rep. Rangel won’t be getting an endorsement from the former president, who will sit out the primary, a Clinton source said.
Clinton strongly backed Rangel’s re-election in 2010 when the incumbent was under fire for House ethics-rules violations that later led to a congressional censure.
Clinton even personally taped a message that was phoned in to voters on behalf of Rangel, who has been a loyal Clinton backer for decades.
AP
SPLITSVILLE: Charles Rangel will have to do without old pal Bill Clinton’s backing this time.
AP
Bill Clinton
Rangel also supported Hillary Clinton’s campaign for president over Barack Obama, who didn’t endorse Rangel last time and is staying neutral in this year’s primary.
But the Clinton source said the former president has a personal conflict this time around. One of Rangel’s rivals, Clyde Williams, was a top aide at the Clinton Foundation and worked in the Clinton administration.
“He is grateful for Clyde’s work with the foundation. Because he has personal relationships with several of the candidates in the race, he doesn’t feel it’s appropriate to weigh in on the race,” a Clinton official said.
Rangel could always resurrect some of Clinton’s testimonials.
“He is a unique public servant whose leadership was critical to many of my administration’s successes,” Clinton said in a plug for Rangel’s 2006 autobiography.
Meanwhile, former Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carríon yesterday endorsed another Rangel opponent, state Sen. Adriano Espaillat. Carríon, who is considering a run for mayor and has praised Rangel’s tenure, said it’s time for a change.
Additional reporting by David Seifman
ccampanile@nypost.com
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