early and awesome

Charlie Rangel Talking With His Hands: A Retrospective

NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 24: Rep. Charlie Rangel (D-NY) gives a thumbs up after voting in the Democratic Primary for the 13th District congressional district of New York on June 24, 2014 in the Harlem neighborhood of New York City. The 84-year-old congressman faces a tight Democratic primary election against state Sen. Adriano Espaillat. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images)
Photo: Andrew Burton/2014 Getty Images

Love him or hate him, 84-year-old Charlie Rangel is definitely a New Yorker. The Harlem-born congressman has represented the city in the House since 1971, and despite scandals and health problems, that’s not changing yet, if last night’s primary results hold. Always animated and frequently uncensored — “My wife is in the house! My girlfriend is in the house!” he said at last night’s victory party — Rangel has an extra-special way with his gestures, saying almost as much with his hands as with his mouth. Almost.

It goes way back, and comes in many different varieties. For example:

The Raised Fist

Photo: ? Corbis. All Rights Reserved.

The “Who, Me?”

Photo: DAVID AKE

The “Who, Moi?”

Photo: Terry Ashe/Terry Ashe

The “Look at My Jewelry” Laugh

Photo: Scott J. Ferrell/Congressional Quarterly Inc.

The Praise the Lord

Photo: Chris Hondros

The Fighting Spirit

Photo: Mark Wilson/2006 Getty Images

The “This Big”

Photo: Pool/2010 Getty Images

The Spirit Hands

Photo: Bill Clark/? 2010 Roll Call Photos

The “Wasn’t Me”

Photo: Bryan Smith/? Corbis. All Rights Reserved.

The “What Are You Gonna Do?”

Photo: JONATHAN ERNST/? Corbis. All Rights Reserved.

The “Come Again?”

Photo: Alex Wong/2003 Getty Images

The “Up Yours”

Photo: Scott J. Ferrell

The “Who Cares?”

Photo: Scott J. Ferrell/2008 Congressional Quarterly

The Classic Rangel

Photo: Andrew Burton/2014 Getty Images
Charlie Rangel Talking With His Hands: Photos