In place of his opening statement, Mr. Rangel pulled out his
cell phone and proceeded to engage in a mock conversation, using his
allotted three
minutes to theatrically jab State Senator Adriano Espaillat, who nearly ousted him two years ago in a newly re-drawn district, and Pastor Mike Walrond, an impressive debater, whose backers packed St. Luke A.M.E. Church in Washington Heights.