WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama’s tart-tongued chief of staff, Rahm Emanuel, has apologized for using the word “retarded” to describe liberal activists whose tactics on health care he questioned.
Emanuel apologized by phone to Tim Shriver, chief executive of the Special Olympics, the White House said Tuesday.
The apology followed a Wall Street Journal account of a private White House meeting involving liberal groups and the administration. Emanuel reportedly grew exasperated at plans by some to run ads against Democratic lawmakers balking at Obama’s health overhaul.
“The White House remains committed to addressing the concerns and needs of Americans living with disabilities and recognizes that derogatory remarks demean us all,” a White House statement said.
