Schumer Lands in Hot Water Over 'Bitch' Comment

Chuck Schumer set off an unfortunate cascade of events Sunday when he bridled at a flight attendant’s request that he turn off his cell phone so a plane could take off and then muttered that she was a “bitch.” As the story circulated around the Beltway, it drew in his seatmate on the plane, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, who initially tried to give Schumer cover by saying he was "polite" to the attendant, notes the New York Post.

Then Schumer’s office went and made Gillibrand a fibber when it apologized for an “off-the-cuff comment under his breath.” Politics Daily points out that Schumer’s record as a crusader for women’s rights is in stark contrast to his behavior, but also has it that the call was rather important. “It's Harry Reid calling,” Schumer allegedly told the other passengers on the shuttle from NY to DC. “I guess health care will have to wait.” (More Chuck Schumer stories.)