State Sen. Adriano Espaillat criticized Bill Clinton Wednesday for endorsing Rep. Charles Rangel, saying the former president and his wife, former Secertary of State Hillary Clinton, were “not on the side of change.”
In an appearance on WABC radio, Espaillat also said the endorsement by Bill Clinton would not change anything and that Rangel would lose the June 24 Democratic primary convincingly.
“The kind of support I’m seeing from voters is unprecedented,” said Espaillat, Rangel’s chief challenger. “This is going to be a slam dunk. This is going to be a big victory. As Muhammad Ali once said, it’s going to shake up the world.”
Espaillat has been grabbing his own share of endorsements, with the latest being city Comptroller Scott Stringer.
The state senator said “the Clintons” couldn’t save Rangel, who is the 13th-longest-serving member of Congress and is seeking his 23rd term. In fact, Hillary Clinton hasn’t made an endorsement in the race.
“I really love the Clintons. I’m kind of a little disappointed that they’re not on the side of change. I really love them. They’re good people,” said Espaillat.
“I would rather have Obama’s endorsement — and he hasn’t endorsed the congressman.”
President Obama in 2010 said he was troubled by Rangel’s ethics scandal and hoped he would retire “with dignity.” The president is expected to remain neutral in the contest.
Espaillat nearly ousted Rangel two years ago, losing by a slim 1,100 votes.
There are two other canbdidates in the race, Harlem preacher Michael Walrond and Bronx activist Yolanda Garcia.