Politics | Charles Rangel Rangel Denied Chance to Speak in Denver Clinton ally sees it as snub By Nick McMaster Posted Aug 14, 2008 1:00 PM CDT Copied Rep. Charles Rangel, D-N.Y., arrives for a news conference with the New York Congressional delegation, Thursday, June 5, 2008, in Washington. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) Charles Rangel won’t be speaking at the Democratic National Convention, Politico reports. Representatives made a pitch for an address by the House Ways and Means Chairman, but the Obama campaign told them that Rangel’s early support for Hillary Clinton had given him low priority—even though the congressman played a crucial role in persuading Clinton to bow out. The recent investigations into the congressman’s alleged below-market rent deals in Harlem probably didn’t help either. Rangel isn’t angry, sources say, but “way less than jazzed” about the convention and will probably make a minimal appearance. Said a friend: "He’s a lot bigger than just a regular member of Congress. He deserves more respect than this.” Read These Next North Carolina shooting suspect once walked the red carpet. Tossed beers, hostile fans take the spotlight at Ryder Cup. Skydivers leap from plane 2 minutes before fatal crash. 'We heard a big bang,' says churchgoer in Michigan Report an error