Congresswoman apologizes for 'N-word'

NEW YORK, July 21 (UPI) -- U.S. Rep. Carolyn Maloney, D-N.Y., says she's sorry for using the "N-word" racial slur while relaying a story that she had heard.

"I apologize for having repeated a word I find disgusting," Maloney said in a statement issued Monday to The New York Daily News.

The newspaper said Maloney uttered the derogatory term for African-American while speaking to City Hall, a biweekly New York political publication and Web site.

While criticizing U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., whom Maloney is expected to challenge next year in a special election, on her stance concerning English-only education, Maloney told the publication, "I got a call from someone from Puerto Rico, said (Gillibrand) went to Puerto Rico and came out for English-only (education). And he said, 'It was like saying n----- to a Puerto Rican.'"

The timing of the "N-word" flap was especially poor for the congresswoman since she was preparing to announce her Senate bid next week, the Daily News reported.

"A week before your announcement you don't want to apologize for anything, particularly a word that would offend a core demographic group," said Baruch College political scientist Doug Muzzio. "Is it fatal? No. But it sure ain't good."