Did a state representative attack Rhode Island congressman's disabilities?

From Patrick Elliot at Providence Top News Examiner:

State Representative Elizabeth Dennigan is seeking Rhode Island's 2nd Congressional seat for the 2010 democratic primary. But if she wants to get on the ballot, she'll have to oust current Democratic congressman Jim Langevin (pictured).

Dennigan appeared on John DePetro's WRPO radio program August 7, and levied several attacks on Langevin in hopes of make herself seem better by comparison. However, Langevin is partially paralyzed and wheelchair-bound, and some of her comments have been criticized as discriminatory. On the program, she said:

"I did meet with Mr. Langevin a few weeks ago and I tried to make it clear then, and certainly will now, because I'm not a negative person, but as a nurse, I think I have some understanding of, and certainly can empathize with his physical challenges. But as someone who's an attorney and a lawmaker, I feel that I would bring a much clearer and more effective voice to Congress."

Dennigan defends her statements, and says listeners simply misinterpreted her. Langevin's office smartly offers no comment on the issue.

When it comes to their long standing political figures, Rhode Islanders are a bunch of softies (Patrick Kennedy likes pills, Buddy Cianci likes money, we know). Its not very easy to turn us against them. Hell, it took a national democratic shift to oust Chafee in 2006, and look, he's already on his way back.

Dennigan's defense may come too late for Rhode Islanders, who could just shift closer to Langevin after the statements. Also, seriously, it may not have been a great idea to follow up with a defense that tells Rhode Islanders that they failed to understood you properly.