Congressman Charles Rangel did not take anything for granted Wednesday, as he showed off his signature dance moves and well-known defiance while opening up a campaign office in East Harlem.

"Would it be fair to you for me to quit? Would it be fair for Obama for me to quit? Let me ask you, has quitting ever been an advantage to anyone?" Rangel asked the gathered Harlem crowd. "So we are not quitters, we are fighters."

This year, the veteran congressman is campaigning harder than he has in years, since he is facing a House ethics trial on more than a dozen alleged violations.

He also faces five opponents in a Democratic primary.

One of the allegations against Rangel is that for years he improperly used a rent-stabilized apartment for campaign activity. Rangel said now is not the time to throw him out of office.

"We're going to have to really bring out a lot of people now, not just for me, but to elect a primary candidate. This is not the time for popularity."

Rangel did not just defend himself, he also defended the developers of the proposed mosque near the World Trade Center site, saying they have the right to build it wherever they want.

"I'm kind of proud that they're sticking to their guns and saying this is where they would want to worship," said the congressman.