Charles Rangel,

Congressman Charlie Rangel appeared on former Governor David Paterson's show today to discuss his re-election bid and his health following two months where he was in and out of the hospital.

"I'm charged up, I'm ready to go," Mr. Rangel said when asked about his health. "I'm pretty excited about how far the president has gone with what he's got to work with."

Mr. Rangel went on to explain he finds the Republican presidential candidates "frightening" because they were able to "get as far as they've gotten" with "so little talent."

"I was a little worried about the congressman until he started attacking the Republican candidates for president, then I figured out his health was fine," joked Mr. Paterson, a longtime friend and ally of the congressman.

Mr. Rangel is being challenged by four rivals; State Senator Adriano Espaillat, former DNC head Clyde Williams, businesswoman Joyce Johnson and his ex-intern Craig Schley. The congressman is thought to be particularly vulnerable after more than four decades in power because the demographics in Harlem are shifting to become more Latino. Mr. Rangel told Mr. Paterson he didn't notice the changes as they were occurring, but the new shape of the neighborhood became clear to him over time.

"You can't feel a district that's changing around you, especially when you were born and raised in it," Mr. Rangel said. "Like anything else, the changes are so small when they occur, but after ten years, you can dramatically see the changes."

Many politicians, including Mr. Rangel's challenger, Mr. Espaillat, hoped this year's redistricting process would result in Upper Manhattan being cut to create a predominantly Latino district in Washington Heights while preserving the historically African American district in Harlem. Mr. Rangel, who has previously said he ran for re-election in 2010 because he felt he could influence the redistricting process said he fought for changes "that would not dramatically alter the boundaries of Harlem. He told Mr. Paterson he was "hurt" and "disappointed" by the end result of this year's round of redistricting.

"It's a very emotional thing to see history being made, unfolded in front of you in a way that you would not want it to happen," Mr. Rangel said.

Mr. Rangel's re-election bid was the subject of a front page story in today's New York Times. The story included a rather interesting quote from Adam Clayton Powell IV, who has a long history with the congressman. Mr. Rangel made it to the House after defeating Mr. Powell's father, Adam Clayton Powell Jr. in 1970. The younger Mr. Powell went on to serve as Mr. Rangel's intern and to challenge the congressman for his seat in 2010. In the Times story, Mr. Powell had a rather colorful description of that race.

"I got my spanking two years ago; Espaillat will get his spanking now," Mr. Powell said.

Mr. Paterson asked Mr. Rangel about Mr. Powell's remark. Mr. Rangel declined to comment directly.

"I'm glad that he's not running this time," the congressman said.

In December, Mr. Powell told The Politicker he didn't want to challenge Mr. Rangel, but he left the door open for a future run in the district.