Rangel predicts ‘rough’ reelection fight

Rep. Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.) predicted he’ll face a “rough” fight for reelection this cycle, but said he believes ObamaCare will be a boon to his campaign.

“It’s going to be a rough one but, you know, it’s like shooting crap. Either you win or you lose; you just can’t stay even with the first shot,” Rangel said on MSNBC on Tuesday.

{mosads}The long-serving Democrat had been considered a retirement risk, but announced earlier this month he plans to run for reelection. He’s likely to face a contentious primary fight from state Sen. Adriano Espaillat, whom supporters believe is well-poised to take advantage of the district’s growing Hispanic population.

At least two other Democrats have also filed to run, and another has expressed interest in the race.

Rangel will have to contend with the shadow of his 2010 Ethics Committee censure that still hangs over his record in Congress, and an overarching dissatisfaction among Americans with incumbent lawmakers.

But he suggested on MSNBC that healthcare reform will give him an advantage, and that those Democrats currently criticizing the administration for issues with the law’s rollout are “making a great moral mistake.”

“[The law’s benefits are] gonna start to roll in, and all those people that were afraid to stand with the president, I think, will be making a great moral mistake,” he said.