Kerry Issues Apology
Somebody finally smacked him hard.
WASHINGTON – Thrust into the midst of the midterm election campaign, Sen. John Kerry apologized Wednesday to "any service member, family member or American who was offended" by remarks deemed by Republicans and Democrats alike to be insulting to U.S. forces in Iraq.
Six days before the election, the 2004 Democratic presidential nominee said he sincerely regretted his words were "misinterpreted to imply anything negative about those in uniform."
In a brief statement, Kerry attacked President Bush for a "failed security policy." Yet his apology, issued after prominent Democrats had urged him to cancel public appearances, was designed to quell a controversy that party leaders feared would stall their drive for big gains on Nov. 7.
He should not have attacked again, however. That just makes it look like a political apology and makes it ring false. He may have given the media a way to back away from the story, but he already did a lot of damage. My guess is the party saw some numbers they did not like and clobbered him for this.
UPDATE: STACLU sees the same mistake. Kerry should not have attacked. Greg Tinti sees it, too.
UPDATE: If Kerry had been smart enough to hire The Anchoress (or even ask for her help) he would have gotten it right. She gives clear, easy to understand directions on how to apologize.
UPDATE: Others: LGF, Riehl World, Wizbang, Captain's Quarters, Bizzyblog, Tammy Bruce, Blackfive,
Other Links to this Post
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rightlinx.com » Blog Archive » What Was the Joke ? — November 2, 2006 @ 1:21 am
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Leaning Straight Up — November 2, 2006 @ 2:39 am
By TC@LeatherPenguin, November 1, 2006 @ 5:45 pm
Lose the first and third paragraph and that STILL ain’t an apology.
“…my words were misinterpreted to wrongly imply anything…”
TRANSLATION: “I’m sorry if you grunts and your families were too stupid do know what I really meant.”
By Gaius, November 1, 2006 @ 5:51 pm
I got a call from my son. Believe me when I tell you, John Kerry would not get a friendly reception over there right now. And the apology is NOT accepted.
By Anchoress, November 1, 2006 @ 5:52 pm
The Smacker was Hillary. She said “apologize” and took the wind right out of his billowing testicles. He apologized.
By Tom, November 1, 2006 @ 6:31 pm
John Kerry – Master of the Non-Apology Laced with Weasel Words…
As far as HRC goes, she would want any potential political opponent to self-destruct before she rides in on her white unicorn to save the Libs from defeat in ‘08.
By Anchoress, November 1, 2006 @ 8:30 pm
Tom, that’s true, but in the last week of an election – even one that is a cakewalk for her, personally, she wanted the Kerry story OFF the front pages.