Big Difference:
An ELECTED MEMBER OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY utters this comment. He is a public office holder (not a private citizen).
He didn't wish Palin dead-- quite the opposite. For purely political reasons, he was pointing out that her death would not be in the Left's best interests. This is not radical thinking-- it's quite reasoned.
Heck, we spend a good deal of our time on this forum lamenting the fact that we have to parse everything politicians (from both sides) say. This one came out and actually said something that has been espoused here too.
I just don't think it requires an apology or a resignation, either by a private citizen, or public official.
This society is just too damned apology-centric. We should just get it over with, bump all the Bill of Rights amendments down by one, and insert the "Right Not To Be Offended" right at the top.