For nearly 40 years, Charlie Rangel has represented what is considered one of the safest congressional districts in the country, one whose borders he was actually allowed to personally redraw as a favor from governor Nelson Rockefeller. But recently Rangel has been forced to exert himself once again, “reactivating his old campaign organization” and “barnstorming his district” in the face of a potentially tough primary battle next year. And all it took was getting investigated for half a dozen ethics charges simultaneously. [NYT]
