Rep. Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.) says he's confident in his chances of success in Tuesday's primary race, which is one of the toughest contests of his 40-year political career.
"Today is the most important day," Rangel said on CNN's "Starting Point." "I feel confident if people recognize that this is a serious time for our nation, for our community and that I'm the only one who has the experience to know what the needs are and we go about finding these solutions for jobs, health and education and a variety of other things."
Seeking reelection for a 22nd term in Congress, the 82-year-old dean of the New York congressional delegation put faith in his constituency to look beyond issues like a demographic shift in his district from predominantly African-American to Latinos and past controversies surrounding ethics violations, saying those troubles are "behind us."
"I'm not the kind of guy to be sitting as a spectator kicking in and cursing out the television," he said. "There's a job to be done. I was there in the beginning to start it ... and I want to make sure I'm there to finish this job for the good of all of us.
While health woes have plagued the former House Ways and Means Committee chairman, Rangel kept a positive outlook on his prospects.
"Let me make it abundantly clear, that while I have been sick and my opponent announced while I was in the hospital, there's nothing wrong with me today," he said. "I got a clean bill of health and I'm ready for the fight. I'm fired up and I'm ready to go."
