10 Questions for Charles Rangel

Outspoken and influential, New York Congressman Charles Rangel is set to become chairman of the powerful Ways and Means Committee when Democrats take control of the House in January. A co-founder of the Congressional Black Caucus, Rangel, 76, spoke to TIME's Perry Bacon Jr. about his ongoing push for a military draft, whether he would back Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama for President and the controversy over the N word.

Is your push for a draft purely symbolic, or do you really think there should be a draft?
If we had had a draft, those who decided to have an elective — rather than defensive — strike against Iraq would not have received public or congressional support. When you're talking about war and you have no concept of anyone being lost in your family or your community, then it's human nature to be more prone to say, "Let's fight, I'll hold your coat." I'm serious about it. As of now, I would be satisfied to have a discussion.

The Ways and Means Committee oversees Social Security legislation. Most people say you'll either have to raise taxes or cut benefits to keep the system solvent. Do you agree?
I guess you would call extending the [retirement] age reducing benefits, but it's a very complex problem. One of the difficulties about Social Security is that if you start talking about the pain, then you lose the political will.

Whom would you support for President: Hillary Clinton, whom you backed for Senator when she was still First Lady, or Barack Obama?
He ought to get out there, test his wings and see whether there's any solid foundation for his popularity. No question — this is the time to do it. [But] right now, it would be Hillary Clinton, only because I know so much more about her.

Do you think an African American can be elected President?
I have reason to believe Colin Powell could have been President, yes.

Recently in New York City, an unarmed black man was shot to death by police officers who thought he might have a weapon. Why do you think incidents like this keep happening?
The police are addicted to a contagious need to expel rounds of deadly bullets. They cannot control themselves because they see their fellow companions do it. They don't carry the same standard they would in more affluent communities. Race only plays a role because there are more blacks and Hispanics in poor communities.

Did you hear about Michael Richards' comments, in which he repeatedly used the N word? Is that the comedian?
Yes. So many of these comedians are obscene that I would have no idea whether they were serious or it was part of their act. It was a terrible insult to African Americans, but so many things on TV are so insulting.

Lots of black rappers use the N word. Should they not?
I should think it would be a word that nobody would use.

What did you think of the ad about Tennessee Senate candidate Harold Ford Jr., which had a white woman saying, "Harold, call me"?
While it did not seem to me to be as devastating and as racist as I would think in first reviewing it, after having Southerners — white and black — share with me the deep-seated fear whites [have] of black men and white women, I then came to the conclusion that the ad meant to do harm from racial implication.

Last year you compared George W. Bush with Bull Connor, the civil rights-era police chief whose name is synonymous with racism. Do you regret that?
I have not chosen my words as carefully as I would want. It was my hope that, as Connor's act awakened Americans to racist policies that existed in the South, [after] the apparent lack of concern with Katrina, Americans would look at the question of poverty. I have been terribly disappointed.

Four blacks will chair committees in the new Congress, Massachusetts has its first African-American Governor, and Obama is a possible '08 candidate. Is this a new era for African Americans in politics?
There have been gradual increases in opportunity. Condoleezza Rice and Colin Powell are examples as to the progress that has been made politically. But in terms of economic advancements, it has been far slower than the political advancements. It's hard to say it's a new era.