NY Congressman Rangel calls Sarah Palin "disabled"

The NY Daily News reports that New York Congressman Charlie Rangel, who is already in trouble for overdue taxes, caused more trouble for himself Sept. 19 when he called Republican VP nominee Sarah Palin "disabled."

The powerful Democratic chairman of the House Way and Means Committee, asked by WCBS-TV to comment on the Republican vice presidential nominee's appeal, responded with a politically incorrect putdown.

"You got to be kind to the disabled," Rangel, 78, told political reporter Marcia Kramer. Pressed on whether he really thought the Alaska governor was disabled, Rangel added, "There's no question about it politically."

"It's a nightmare to think that a person's foreign policy is based on their ability to look at Russia from where they live," said Rangel - referring to Palin's recent observation that parts of Russia can be seen from her home state.

If he thought he was being funny, Republicans and advocates for the disabled weren't laughing.

Rep. Pete King (R-L.I.), chair of the McCain-Palin campaign in New York, blasted the comment as insensitive - especially given that Palin gave birth in April to a son, Trig, with Down syndrome.

"Charlie owes a sincere apology to Sarah Palin and the entire disabled community," said King. "All of us know parents who have disabled children or relatives, so from any perspective this was wrong, wrong, wrong."

Carr Massi, president of the New York-based Disabled in Action, said of the tax- and tongue-tied Rangel, "He ain't looking too good right now."

"I am not one of her fans," added Massi of the GOP veep nominee. "But I don't like the idea he referred to the woman as disabled. I mean he is talking about her politics - that word has no place there."