Bloomberg records robo-call for Rangel

Michael Bloomberg is giving Rep. Charles Rangel (N.Y.) some last-minute help before the Democratic primary. 

The independent mayor of New York recorded a robo-call for the beleaguered congressman in which he praises Rangel for being his “go-to guy in Washington.”

In the call, Bloomberg said Rangel was instrumental in “bringing $300 million in stimulus funds to protect the jobs of New Yorkers,” “insuring affordable housing for working families” and “working to expand health coverage for all Americans,” according to the New York Daily News.

“Tough times require tough leadership, and that is what Charlie Rangel has provided for us, and will continue to provide for us going forward,” Bloomberg said in the call, which is set to hit the 20-term Democrat’s Harlem district this weekend.

Bloomberg recently traveled to Philadelphia to endorse Rep. Joe Sestak (D-Pa.), who’s running for Senate. But he has generally stayed out of New York’s congressional races.

“The mayor is really a stand-up guy, and this is an important message,” a Rangel aide told the Daily News. 



Rangel faces several challengers in the Sept. 14 primary, including community banker Vince Morgan and state Assemblyman Adam Clayton Powell IV. Still, he’s expected to clinch the nomination despite his ongoing ethics troubles.