Charles Rangel to Visit Mississippi

The New York Daily News reports:

Rep. Charles Rangel tried to make amends with Mississippi yesterday for blurting out "who the hell wants to live there" and said he's even willing to visit - with a "food taster."

"For all of you from Mississippi, I'd like to extend my deepest apologies," Rangel told city leaders at a breakfast hosted by the Association for a Better New York. "I promise I'll visit as soon as I find a food taster."

Rep. Charles Pickering, a Mississippi Republican and loudest critic of the Rangel insult, welcomed the visit but said a taster isn't necessary.

"Mississippians accept Mr. Rangel's apology, and we can assure him that we are forgiving folks. He will not need a food taster to enjoy our hospitality," said Pickering.

Rangel also warned that freshmen Democrats are eager to make life difficult for the Republicans, but said that would not be wise.

No word yet on how Rangel will react to seeing people shop at Wal-Mart,park for free,own a gun,and not pay a city income tax.