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You are here: Home / John Cole Presents "This Fucking Old House" / RIP Charlie Rangel

RIP Charlie Rangel

by | 45 Comments

This post is in: 

This is sad- he was such a larger than life character:

Charles Rangel, the former Democratic congressman from New York who championed his Harlem community on Capitol Hill for almost five decades, died Monday, his family said.

He was 94.

Rangel’s death was confirmed in a statement provided by City College of New York spokesperson Michelle Stent, who said he died at a hospital in New York.

Politicians and supporters remembered Rangel, known as Charlie, for his years in public service and deep roots in New York City. He was born in Harlem and was first elected to Congress in 1970, representing a congressional district that was first drawn up in the 1940s and allowed the neighborhood’s majority Black voters to send one of their own to Washington.

Being likable is such a powerful force in politics and for the life of me I have no idea why Republicans have decided to do the opposite, but it appears to be working so what the fuck do I know. I remember hating his politics but always finding him likeable when I was a Republican, and you can decide for your self if that is a bad or good thing. I spent 8 hours on the mower and my brain is fried so I don’t even actually remember his politics or if he went milkshake duck in the end, but I think I would remember that.

RIP, Charlie.

Reader Interactions

45Comments

  2. 2.

    sab

    Amongst all his other accomplishments, I vividly remember him talking about his service in the Korean war.

    Contrary to popular US perception, Korea does not have a southern California climate. It’s winters are brutally cold. And Rangel served there then.

    My dad was in Korea, not as a soldier and not in  MASH unit, but as an Air Force doctor. He had huge respect for the troops on the ground.

  4. 4.

    comrade scotts agenda of rage

    He was embroiled in an ethics investigation for a couple of years:

    https://www.politico.com/story/2010/11/rangel-guilty-on-11-ethics-charges-045198

    The charges seem downright quaint by the standards now set by Hair Furor.

    I bring this up mainly to refresh Cole’s memory about Rangel’s career.  Of course Totebagger Radio had this piece on him from back then which golly gee, they typically wouldn’t take that tone if the offender had been an (R):

    https://www.npr.org/sections/itsallpolitics/2010/12/03/131757818/the-rise-and-dramatic-fall-of-charlie-rangel

    He represented his constituents well which is why they sent him back repeatedly over the years.

    He was also a great *liberal* Democrat.

  5. 5.

    rikyrah

     

     

    RIP 🙏🏽 😔

     

     

    rolandsmartin (@rolandsmartin) posted at 9:29 AM on Mon, May 26, 2025:

     

    Statement on the Passing of Congressman Charles B. Rangel

    With deep sorrow and profound respect, the family of The Honorable Charles B. Rangel announces his passing on May 26, 2025, at the age of 94.

     

    A towering figure in American politics and a champion for justice, equity, and opportunity, Congressman Rangel dedicated over four decades of his life to public service. Representing what is now New York’s 13th Congressional Districts from 1971 to 2017, he was a founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus and the first African American to chair the powerful House Ways and Means Committee. The final living member of Harlem’s Gang of Four political coalition, Charlie was affectionately known as “The Lion of Lenox Avenue.”

     

    Born on June 11, 1930, in Harlem, New York, Congressman Rangel rose from humble beginnings to become one of the most influential voices in American legislative history. A decorated Korean War veteran, he returned home to earn degrees from New York University and St. John’s University School of Law, beginning a lifelong pursuit of justice, civil rights, and community empowerment.

     

    Throughout his career, Congressman Rangel fought tirelessly for affordable housing, urban revitalization, fair tax policies, and equal opportunities for all Americans. His legacy lives on through the Charles B. Rangel Center for Public Service at The City College of New York, which continues to inspire and train new generations of public servants.

     

    Congressman Rangel, who was pre-deceased by his beloved wife, Alma, is survived by his son, Steven Rangel (Adelina), daughter Alicia Rangel Haughton (Howard), three grandsons, Howard R. Haughton, Joshua R. Haughton and Charles R. Haughton, and a host of family and friends. Private services will be held followed by a public Celebration of Life. Details will be shared in the coming days.

     

    The Rangel family extends its heartfelt thanks for the outpouring of love and support during this difficult time.

     

     

     

    https://t.co/7eTbzEgkvD

    (https://x.com/rolandsmartin/status/1927009311290425594?t=HRgLiEnK

    qot2Ikeg-YcrSA&s=03)

  6. 6.

    rikyrah

     

     

    Reverend Al Sharpton (@TheRevAl) posted at 10:49 AM on Mon, May 26, 2025:

     

     

    One of the last times Congressman Charles B. Rangel joined us at the National Action Network House of Justice was to help celebrate my birthday in 2023, introduced by NAN’s beloved EVP Attorney Michael Hardy, my brother who we lost last year.

     

    I was just a teenager when I met Charlie Rangel, and he never stopped fighting from the battlefield, to the halls of Congress, to Lenox Avenue. Even in retirement, he was still that firehorse he spoke about, ready to jump in when the bell rang.

     

    On this Memorial Day, we honor Congressman Rangel not only as a statesman and Harlem icon, but as a decorated veteran of the Korean War who served this country and our people with unmatched courage and conviction.

     

    Rest well, Congressman, say hello to Mike for me❤️🕊️

     

    #CharlieRangel

    #RIP

     

     

    https://t.co/0xwLp5mTmB

    (https://x.com/TheRevAl/status/1927029328631505349?t=cHt5ZGpH__8_GS9t_DZJqg&s=03)

  12. 12.

    laura

    What a life of public service Charles Rangel led. What a legacy of meaningful legislation, for his constituents, and for all Americans.

  13. 13.

    RandomMonster

    Once upon a time I was a hipster and now I can’t even tell you WTF ‘milkshake duck’ is. Also, too, my garage door opener stopped working and you kids get off my goddamn lawn.

  15. 15.

    Suzanne

    He was a giant. RIP.

    A few weeks/months ago, on a Medium Cool thread, I thought about the All-of-a-Kind Family books for the first time in many years. I had them when I was a kid, passed down to me secondhand by my second grade teacher. I remember loving them, and one reason why was because they brought to life New York in that Ellis Island pre-wars era. (My family didn’t arrive in the NYC metro area until the late 50s.) Those copies are long gone, but I discovered that the whole series is still in print, so I ordered the first one and I’ve been reading it to Spawn the Youngest. Just as wonderful as I remember.

    Anyway, thinking about Charlie Rangel’s life today, and how much a part of New York he was — I remember hearing about him on local news when I was a kid — and how much change he must have seen. Amazing to think about.

    ETA: Reference is to SuzMom’s family. Father’s side of the family did come through Ellis Island and stayed in the NYC metro area for a long time.

  19. 19.

    Chacal Charles Calthrop

    Back in those quaint and long-lost days when it was shocking for a congress critter to take advantage, or bribes, Rangel was busted for occupying four rent-stabilized apartments simultaneously, including one that he used as an office: https://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/11/nyregion/11rangel.html (apologies for the paywall).

    Technically only the office was illegal, as you can have more than one primary residence.  But it really should be only one apartment per leaseholder.

  20. 20.

    comrade scotts agenda of rage

    @raven:

    It was always great to see him go into “not taking any shit” mode.

    Liberal Dems like him and Barney Frank are examples of how more elected Dems should be in these times.

  24. 24.

    Paul M Gottlieb

    Rangel also wrote a very entertaining autobiography, which is probably out of print now, but well worth a read if you see it

  25. 25.

    sab

    @raven: He never felt that. His classmates  went off to WWII and Korea in combat and he didn’t. He just did his duty in medicine behind the lines.

    We never talked much about it but I think he always felt guilty.

    He stayed on as an Air Force reserve for twenty years, mostly workimg with local blood banks.

  26. 26.

    raven

    @sab: Some of the most screwed up vets I know never went to the Nam. I knew a guy who had honorable discharges from the Army, Marines and Air Force and his family disowned him because he didn’t go in the Navy! We often put more on ourselves than others do. For my old man the demarcation point was “he never fired a shot in anger”. That covered a whole lot of people and was really a disservice to so many. On the other hand I know what he meant.

  28. 28.

    sab

    @raven: I don’t think Dad was screwed up by not being in combat (is that really a thing?) He just felt tremendously lucky and tried to pay it back.

    If you want to make it some sort of psychological defect go at it. That’s on you.

  30. 30.

    Eunicecycle

    @sab: my dad was in Korea too and every year on Christmas he would tell us the story of being there on Christmas and how cold it was. His platoon arrived in a town that had just been abandoned, and found a bakery that was warm inside and still had fresh bread.

  33. 33.

    Another Scott

    @TheOtherHank: [ click ]

    [ … read … ]

    Interesting.  I have no recollection of that term.

    Another 5-10-20 years I’ll probably have no ideal what people 3 years younger than me are talking about.  It looks like I’m already pretty close to being there!

    :-/

    Thanks.

    ;-)

    Best wishes,
    Scott.
    ==
    (Who maybe should pay more attention to “word of the year” lists…)

  34. 34.

    The Audacity of Krope

    @Another Scott: I had heard that meme some time ago then forgotten it. I feel like it doesn’t stick well because it isn’t self-explanatory in any regard.

  35. 35.

    sab

    @sab: I think I totally misconstrued your comment and was needlessly offensive/defensive. If so I am sorry.

    Aimed at Raven comment # 26. Total reaction possibly.

  36. 36.

    Raven

    @sab: My example had nothing to do with your pop and THAT is my problem. I just got caught up thinking about how folks got impacted in seemingly unrelated ways.

  37. 37.

    sab

    @Raven: I understand. You had a bigger statement and I sideswiped it. Sorry. And I get your point, to the extent I can, never having served.

  38. 38.

    something fabulous

    Since Cole never reads his own blog :), could someone with the keys go into the headline and fix the spelling on the Congressman’s name? thanks!

  40. 40.

    Another Scott

    Indeed, RIP Charlie.  You did very well in your 94 years.

    Meanwhile, … Wonkette – Hey, is blackmail covered by the Speech or Debate clause?:

    There’s unhinged, there’s MAGA unhinged, and then there is South Carolina Rep. Nancy Mace unhinged. Her weirdest hits include Bathroom Genital Obsession, Handshaked To Death, I Was Raped So Trump Can’t Be A Rapist, Screaming At A Constituent In Ulta Beauty, and most recently, Showing Blurry Naked Pictures Of Herself On The House Floor.

    It says a lot about the current state of Republican crazy and Nancy Mace crazy that the Showing Blurry Naked Pictures Of Herself On The House Floor story barely raised one of our eyebrows.

    “That was weird,” we shrugged.

    But now the word “blackmail” has popped up, and our interest is piqued!

    […]

    She’s making extremely inflammatory statements and accusations on the House floor, seemingly hoping to be protected by the “speech or debate” clause in the Constitution. Every new story about her antics seems to be even farther out there. This seems to be much more than “get in the news” stuff.

    Is Michael B. Moore going to run again? Someone else worth watching??

    Grr…

    Best wishes,
    Scott.

  42. 42.

    Ruckus

    @sab:

    I served in the USN 42 1/2 months. During Vietnam. Was stationed in Charleston, SC, for 2 years on a guided missile destroyer, after my first year in electronic schools and my last 6 1/2 months – in a hospital (2 months, never laid in a bed, went home every afternoon), 2 months as a transit barracks master of arms, 2 months in shore patrol. Last 2 weeks on a landing ship back to my actual USN job, then outa there! Good times….. Ok some of it was good times. I think the only reason I got out early was because Vietnam had ended just over 3 months earlier.

  44. 44.

    Jay

    @Another Scott:

    Apparently, the guy she was boinking so hard she was late for the Prayer Breakfast and said that was why she was late,

    and her,

    have a couple million dollars in joint title real estate, with no contract. One of which she has been renting out at $100K a month and not sharing the rent.

    so she has been using a reverse sexploitation scam to try to get the properties.

  45. 45.

    Sherparick

    @sab: Sponsored and shepherded the Affordable Care Act through Congress in 2009-10.  His predecessor was Adam Clayton Powell, who was also a “larger than life figure” and who ran into ethical issues, although both Powell and Rangel seem to be judged by a different standard then the their Republican colleagues.

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