SHOCKER: Rep. Rangel Calls Palin 'Disabled'

wcbstv.com ^ | Sep 20, 2008 | Marcia Kramer

[coffee260]

Embattled Politician: It's Laughable That GOP VP Nominee Bases Foreign Policy On Being Able To See Russia

Republicans Infuriated; Congressman Tries To Take Words Back

NEW YORK (CBS) ―  Already under fire for his tax troubles, Manhattan Congressman Charles Rangel really put his foot in his mouth on Friday.

In a CBS 2 HD exclusive interview, Rep. Rangel called Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin "disabled."

The question was simple: Why are the Democrats so afraid of Palin and her popularity?

The answer was astonishing.

"You got to be kind to the disabled," Rangel said.

That's right. The chairman of the powerful House Ways & Means Committee called Palin disabled -- even when CBS 2 HD called him on it.

CBS 2 HD: "You got to be kind to the disabled?"

Rangel: "Yes."
 
CBS 2 HD: "She's disabled?"

Rangel: "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."

Later Friday, Rangel issued a statement saying "disabled" wasn't the word he meant to use.

"Governor Palin is an obviously healthy person who in no way fits the description of disabled. I meant to say then, and I am saying now, that she entered the campaign with a disadvantage in the area of foreign policy," Rangel said in a statement.

"Any inference that my words were in any connected to her son, Trig, who was born with Down syndrome, is a real stretch -- and, I would have to think -- a way to make political points out of my poor choice of words," he added.

Republicans think Rangel's comments are insulting as well as shocking.

"Charlie Rangel's comments are clearly disgraceful," Rep. Peter King, R-Long Island, said. "This is just another liberal Democrat who can't accept an independent woman running for president."

King, who is co-chair of the McCain-Palin campaign in New York, watched Rangel's comments with CBS 2 HD. He was particularly upset because Palin's 4-month-old son, Trig, is disabled. He has Down syndrome.

"We should be sensitive to her or any woman who has a child or family member who has any affliction at all," King said. "And so to use the word disabled in the context of a female candidate for vice president who has a child who is disabled really is wrong. Charlie owes her and the entire disabled community and apology."

Advocates for the disabled are also upset.

"It makes me feel as if he's trying to put her down, trying to say she's not good for the presidency or the vice presidency," said Michael Imperiale of Disabled In Action Of Metropolitan N.Y.

"A disabled president ran this country. He was disabled. His name was Roosevelt."

A spokesman for the McCain-Palin campaign also piled on, saying that this kind of rhetoric has no place in politics.

Rangel for weeks has been embroiled in controversy over his failure to report taxes on income from a beach house, use of three rent-stabilized apartments in his home district of Harlem, and using official stationery to try to drum up private donations for a college center named after the congressman. On Friday he reporting paying $10,800 in back taxes and said in an open letter to constituents that Republicans were waging a "guerrilla war" against him.

[libs_kma]

I wish Rangel was a Republican.

Because then he would already be in jail for non-payment of taxes.

[hershey]

Before being elected to Congress, Charlie was the night manager of a Harlem flophouse. Presumably he knows all about community organizing.

[Old Retired Army Guy]

I don’t pay much attention to what Rangel says. He has a history of “foot in the mouth disease”.

[roaddog727]

Calling GOV Palin “disabled”.

Disgraceful. Reprehensible.

Looks Like Charlie Rangel’s Syphilitic state is catching up with him.

[RU88]

Ain't nothin but a rat keepin it classy.

[GodBlessRonaldReagan]

SHOCKER: GBRR calls Rep. Rangel a loathsome, repellent, corrupt old poot.

[leprechaun9]

Rangel's qualifications for being a member of the House:

1. He's a Democrap
2. His RACE
3. He's from New York

[R. Scott]

I meant to say then, and I am saying now, that she entered the campaign with a disadvantage in the area of foreign policy," Rangel said in a statement.

I’m probably just joining the crowd here - but what does he think of Barrack’s foreign policy experience? 142 days as a US Senator? His time as a State legislator? His time working for ACORN?

[Allegra]

Rangel: "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 to get on a plane with his entourage, go to a war zone and try to undermine existing foreign policy for his own gain, possibly violating the Logan Act."

There we go, Charlie. No need to thank me.

[stockpirate]

If the treatment of Palin is how the Democrats are being nice to someone they think is a disabled person that party is worse then we think.

[SkyPilot]

ASTONISHING: Rep. Charlie Rangel Calls Palin 'Disabled'

[verga]

Come on folks we all know that Ole Up Chuckie is to stupid to hold a real job and his constituents are to stupid to kick his butt to the curb

[maggief]

Stand up, Chuck!

[Carley]

Trash is trash.

His comments are nothing compared to the rave review of Governor Palin by former President Bill Clinton!

Take that, Charlie!!

[PalmettoMason]

"Any inference that my words were in any connected to her son, Trig, who was born with Down syndrome, is a real stretch -- and, I would have to think -- a way to make political points out of my poor choice of words," he added.

I believe that this was completely calculated to get baby Trig's condition back in the news, and Charlie's situation OUT of the news

Little Trig is NOT disabled! I challenge Rangel or anyone else to show me the difference between him and any other five month old. At this age, they pretty much eat, sleep, and poop. I'll bet if we ask Sara and Todd, they will assure us that Trig has figured those chores out just fine!

As Trig matures perhaps some special needs will become apparent, or maybe his condition will be less severe. In any case, thank GOD he was born to a family like the Palins.

STFU, Charlie. Go back to your hacienda and do your beached whale imitation again.

[laconic]

The simpleton ravings of a Tax Cheat who chairs the House Committee that will raise YOUR and MY taxes if Obama is elected.

[feedback doctor]

Check out this photo and comments on flickr.

http://flickr.com/photos/godsemerald/2822297762/

If you are a member there, leave her some nice comments

[feedback doctor]

"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."

Apparently ol Charlie thinks Tina Fey really was Sarah Palin.

[SamAdams76]

I don’t know which is more pathetic, that Rangel evidently considers SNL skits as a news source or that he thinks that disabled people should not be eligible for the presidency.