Embattled NY Representative Charles Rangel, who just wrote six checks for about $10,800 in back taxes he owed while heading the House Ways & Means Committee just said the following in an interview to WCBSTV:

“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.”

Republicans were quick to respond.

“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’s syndrome.