Flap's Dentistry Blog: John Kerry Watch: Kerry Makes Direct Apology to Troops

PHOTO CREDIT: 1st Brigade Combat Team of the 34th Infantry Division

Reuters: Kerry makes direct apology to troops

Democratic Sen. John Kerry apologized directly to U.S. troops on Wednesday for comments about Iraq that had prompted a firestorm of criticism from Republicans and President George W. Bush.

“I sincerely regret that my words were misinterpreted to wrongly imply anything negative about those in uniform and I personally apologize to any service member, family member or American who was offended,” Kerry said in a statement.

Kerry said earlier in the day he was sorry for a “botched joke” about Bush that was interpreted as a slam on the U.S. military. Republicans demanded a more direct apology and seized on Kerry’s comments to students as a sign of Democratic weakness on national security.

About damn time…….

The statement is here:

As a combat veteran, I want to make it clear to anyone in uniform and to their loved ones: my poorly stated joke at a rally was not about, and never intended to refer to any troop.

I sincerely regret that my words were misinterpreted to wrongly imply anything negative about those in uniform, and I personally apologize to any service member, family member, or American who was offended.

It is clear the Republican Party would rather talk about anything but their failed security policy. I don’t want my verbal slip to be a diversion from the real issues. I will continue to fight for a change of course to provide real security for our country, and a winning strategy for our troops.

Allah’s got the story:

The White House statement:

Sen Kerry’s apology to the troops for his insulting comments came late, but it was the right thing to do. Our military is the best and the brightest, the most courageous and professional or an military in the world and the President is honored to be their Commander-in-Chief

Was this really an apology?

Not really……more of - “well the DNC made me do it and it is right before an election - so……”

Others not accepting this statement as an apology:

Mark Steyn

Mark Levin

Mitt Romney

Blogosphere: