House Hopeful Attacks Rangel’s Character

BY Kathleen Lucadamo
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER

Challenger Adam Clayton Powell 4th attacked Rep. Charles Rangel's character on Thursday night with the audacious claim that his dad - the current congressman's rogue predecessor - would be appalled by Rangel's behavior. [See who donates the most money to Rangel's campaign.]

"My father...might be turning over in his grave if he saw some of the political trickery that has been going on over the last 40 years," Powell said at a debate sponsored by the League of Women Voters.

The Rev. Adam Clayton Powell Jr., elected to the House from Harlem in 1944, was one of the most powerful black politicians of his era. But a corruption scandal - including helping himself to taxpayer funds for vacations to the Bahamas - led to his expulsion in 1967.

He got his seat back after the 1968 election but not his clout. Neophyte Rangel finished him off in the 1970 primary. Two years later, Powell died.

Now Rangel, 80, is fighting off ethical charges that he took improper donations and didn't declare income on his taxes. His power also has ebbed, with the loss of his House Ways and Means chairmanship over accepting corporate-funded trips to the Caribbean.

Powell is one of four challengers he faces in the Sept. 14 Democratic primary. But the Rangel-Powell battles that have been the hallmark of the race dominated the debate.

Powell accused Rangel of being anti-President Obama while Rangel took digs at Powell's poor attendance record and, after the debate, his criminal one.

Powell, a former city councilman who has served in the Assembly for 10 years, described himself as someone dedicated to public service and eager to follow in his father's footsteps.

"My father laid the foundation....He was the congressman before the incumbent," said Powell, 49.

Rangel flashed his signature wide grin after many of Powell's zings, but tossed a few of his own.

When Powell, for instance, bragged that he has won environmental awards, Rangel said, "I'm pleased to see Adam Clayton Powell has been suggested for some awards...because of absentee record."

Powell missed 25 of 79 session days this year. In March, he was found guilty of driving while impaired.

The debate for the 15th Congressional District capped off a week of tough campaigning for Rangel. On Monday, he dismissed Obama, who had said Rangel should "end his career with dignity" as a green politician with his own woes to worry about.

"He hasn't been around long enough to determine what my dignity is," said Rangel. "For the next two years, I will be more likely to protect his dignity."

Powell used the comment as ammunition, saying that Rangel "disrespected the President."

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