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Home / NY: Rangel Warns of “Racial Polarization” if Governor Paterson has Primary ChallengeNY: Rangel Warns of “Racial Polarization” if Governor Paterson has Primary Challenge
Last Updated on Monday, 8 June 2009 09:42 Written by rslcpol Monday, 8 June 2009 09:42
From CQ Politics Political Wire:
In an interview with NY1, Rep. Charles Rangel (D-NY) warned New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo (D) not to challenge Gov. David Paterson (D) in a Democratic primary next year, saying it could create “racial polarization” in the state and be “devastating” to New York Democrats.
Said Rangel: “You cannot support the governor, prepare for re-election, and at the same time say that you’re keeping your options open for a primary. I think that there might be an inclination for racial polarization in a primary in the state of New York. And since we have most African-Americans registered as Democrats, and since you would be making an appeal for Democrats, it would be devastating in my opinion.”
At the same time, Rangel also said he was “surprised” the White House pushed Rep. Steve Israel (D-NY) out of a potential challenge to Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) in a primary next year.