Convention Q&A: Charles Rangel on Obama’s Policies, Biden and Clinton

Aaron Rutkoff reports from the Democratic Convention in Denver. The flight from New York to Denver feels like it flew out of some alternate universe where politics and tourism have switched places. The passengers don’t behave differently from those found on everyday flights, but several of those observed napping with crumpled newspapers across their laps or craning their necks to see the in-flight movie are already wearing Obama paraphernalia. Stand up for a stretch, and you might notice Rep. Charles Rangel , dean of the New York congressional delegation, flipping through a magazine article about the Democratic presidential nominee while sitting on the aisle in an economy-class seat. Rangel has represented Harlem in congress for almost four decades, and for the past two years he has arguably been the most powerful African American politician on Capitol Hill. After the Democrats took control of the House in 2007, he became chair of the Ways and Means Committee. If Obama takes the White House ... (link)