Charlie Rangel insults Mississippi

(Via Michelle Malkin) In the middle of a New York Times article on the increasing power of the New York congressional delegation, Charlie Rangel made a statement insulting the state of Mississippi.

"It’s not just committees — our influence within the House Democratic caucus will grow enormously,” Mr. Rangel said in an interview.

To that end, he sketched out an expansive federal agenda: Teaming up with Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg on gun control, passing new tax incentives for urban job programs, and redirecting federal money to New York in return for the outsize tax collections that the federal government makes here.

“Mississippi gets more than their fair share back in federal money, but who the hell wants to live in Mississippi?” Mr. Rangel said.

Charlie Rangel could be a very nice person, but statements such as this make the speaker appear to be a jerk. He could also alienate Mississippi Democrats in the house. All in all, an ill-advised and arrogant statement.