Kerry apologizes to the troops
posted at 4:18 pm on November 1, 2006 by Allahpundit
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Just across on CNN. I can’t find it online so I’ll cut the video of Wolf Blitzer reading it. According to Drudge, Kerry was supposed to do an interview with him today but pulled out. Maybe this was his way of making it up to him.
While you wait, read Dean Barnett on why what Kerry said matters.
Update: No need for video. The statement’s just been posted.
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.
I’ve got a clip of Bush on Rush Limbaugh still in the tank and Ian’s got something coming from Murtha, but after that I think we’re (mostly) done with this.
Update: Ponnuru and JPod agree — it’s ovuh.
Update (Ian): White House statement on Kerry’s non-apology apology:
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
Update: More praise from Rich Lowry and Jonah Goldberg.
Update: Barnett e-mails, “He was against apologizing before he was for it.” True enough. Waffles can’t even eat crap without having to change his mind.
Dean also asks a good question. What happened to “hit ‘em back harder, harder”?
Update (Bryan): For the record, I don’t view this as an apology, and not because I want the story to live on another day or two. It’s not an apology because it’s actually an attack masquerading as an apology. See my comments below for further explanations.
Others not accepting include Mark Levin, Mark Steyn and, apparently, Mitt Romney.
Update: Apology not accepted says Lt. Smash.
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Allah, just sent you an email with the web link.
Now the question - did he wait too long?
Slublog on November 1, 2006 at 4:21 PM
Can Kerry explain why he said this in Imus’ show this morning (about 6:40 in)?
Christoph on November 1, 2006 at 4:21 PM
I think it’s done, too. That’s a well-worded apology. One of the best I’ve seen from a politico.
Slublog on November 1, 2006 at 4:21 PM
But I don’t want it to be over!
frankj on November 1, 2006 at 4:27 PM
Uhhh… can you attack while being contrite???
And… uh… Bush DID serve, therefore he IS a troop….
Romeo13 on November 1, 2006 at 4:27 PM
Well worded? He’s still blaming Republicans.
RightWinged on November 1, 2006 at 4:28 PM
Well, it’s carefully worded. I don’t know if it’s a good apology… he still has to get his digs in…
E L Frederick on November 1, 2006 at 4:28 PM
That is no apology.
Ugly on November 1, 2006 at 4:28 PM
Oh, Johnny. C’mon.
The first two paragraphs were indeed masterful. Perfect. If he’d quit there, he would have looked almost classy.
But he just couldn’t resist a dig at Bush.
If he would have walked away after the second paragraph, his mea culpa might have worked.
If he’d worked harder in school and studied more … he probably would have known that. :)
Professor Blather on November 1, 2006 at 4:28 PM
Change of course = surrender.
mymanpotsandpans on November 1, 2006 at 4:29 PM
It is not well worded when it leaves off of the apology by comp,aining about his critics.
An apology should stand as a seperate item.
Karl on November 1, 2006 at 4:29 PM
That’s what he should have done yesterday morning. It was a good apology, and pretty classy.
DaveS on November 1, 2006 at 4:30 PM
Senator Golddigger just can’t resist. Too bad. One less primary opponent for the Hilldabeast come 2008.
Kid from Brooklyn on November 1, 2006 at 4:30 PM
Okay, this part was well-worded:
I personally apologize to any service member, family member, or American who was offended.
It’s rare that a politician actually apologizes anymore.
Slublog on November 1, 2006 at 4:31 PM
Just in time for the 6:30 news I don’t watch.
mymanpotsandpans on November 1, 2006 at 4:31 PM
He’s apologizing for his words being twisted. Not for anything he said.
Ugly on November 1, 2006 at 4:31 PM
I thought he apologizes to no one?
BullShooter on November 1, 2006 at 4:32 PM
He’s still blaming others for misinterpreting what he said. Chickenshit IMHO. I wonder if Uncle Teddy made him do it.
infidel4life on November 1, 2006 at 4:32 PM
Let’s play a Game. Guess who wrote this?
Veterans face conundrum: Kerry or Bush?
Give up?
James Webb
TheBigOldDog on November 1, 2006 at 4:32 PM
With a capital “A”.
Corky on November 1, 2006 at 4:33 PM
He is STILL blaming Republicans. He’s not apologizing. He’s saying he’s sorry if he offended people, not sorry he said it. He’s says he’s sorry people took it the wrong way. Again, its everyone elses fault. He then takes the last paragraph and bashes Republicans. This is a token gesture, not a sincere apology.
americanpundit on November 1, 2006 at 4:33 PM
This looks like another do-over of the apologies that already failed. This statement is neither contrite nor even accurate. It’s yet another attempt to blame the entire problem on his remarks being “misinterpreted,” which means he’s still blaming everyone but himself. Lop off graphs 1 and 3 and lose “misinterpreted” and you have an apology. But as the statement stands, it’s not good enough. Especially given JfK’s unique history.
Bryan on November 1, 2006 at 4:33 PM
it needs to last till tomorrow. let people remember it over the weekend. then the voting begins, essentially. should be the last thing they hear. Kerry. This.
lorien1973 on November 1, 2006 at 4:34 PM
The question is, why did it take the guy two days to squeeze out an obvious apology
Karl on November 1, 2006 at 4:34 PM
Apology REFUSED.
Vic on November 1, 2006 at 4:34 PM
Apology, my behind. That is simply a “CYA” statement. If this had really been a botched joke, the man would have either corrected himself as he spoke, to clarify, or his first press statement afterward would have mentioned that it was a botched joke. There was neither. He said exactly what he meant—as an “I’m better than all of you, elitist, I hate the military” Northeasterner. This should NOT be over with—this man should resign, for comments FAR worse than what the Democrats insisted that Trent Lott resign over.
RationalLady on November 1, 2006 at 4:35 PM
And… Waffles flip flops AGAIN! “I said I wouldn’t apologize before I actually did apologize…”
Nice “apology.” He basically says “I’m sorry you are all too stupid to understand my joke and you couldn’t comprehend what I meant to say-especially you troops. Sorry if your intellectual ineptitude made you interpret my bash of your Commander in Chief as a bash against you…”
Elitist jerk.
NTWR on November 1, 2006 at 4:35 PM
You call THAT an apology?
Well, at least he didn’t flip flop this time.
Tony737 on November 1, 2006 at 4:35 PM
That’s what he wants to say as an apology? He wasn’t referring to the troops? Wrong answer.
Kevin R on November 1, 2006 at 4:36 PM
He is apologizing for the Republicans’ misinterpretation of his own words. It’s still not his fault! You can accept this lame excuse for an apology but I won’t!
Still seeing red here in the bluest of blue states!
LonelyMassRepublican on November 1, 2006 at 4:37 PM
“I sincerely regret that my words were misinterpreted to wrongly imply anything negative about those in uniform,…”
My words were misinterpreted? To wrongly imply? That’s not an apology, that’s still a weasel. And I gather he didn’t have the guts to go on TV and say it. Lord knows CNN would have given him air time.
Retread on November 1, 2006 at 4:37 PM
I know I’m not a Kerry fan and that I may just be splitting hairs but this part bothers me:
I don’t think I misinterpreted anything. I think he said something he didn’t intend to and people took offense. Yet again though it appears that he isn’t the problem, it’s us idiots that couldn’t get what he was saying or intended to say. And so, because we just can’t get it, he’s sorry.
I’m just not convinced of his sencerity in this. Once he decides to actually place the blame where it belongs I’m fine with accepting his apology, but quit telling me you’re sorry for calling me stupid by calling me stupid.
Grunt2Jag on November 1, 2006 at 4:37 PM
Oh, come on people. It wasn’t bad… even the last paragraph wasn’t bad considering that it is 6 days from an election. If the first sentence of the last paragraph had been removed, it would have been a perfect, non-partisan-sounding apology.
And who cares if he said “misinterpreted”. Jeff Goldstein has been effectively making the case for a LONG time that words should mean what the speaker means for them to mean, not what they are perceived to mean by the listener. We can argue over what Kerry actually thinks about the troops or over what we think he actually meant, but the apology itself is good.
DaveS on November 1, 2006 at 4:38 PM
“Mr Anderson, I deeply regret that the rock which left my grip was so hard that it managed to break your window”
Good boy, Billy.
Ugly on November 1, 2006 at 4:38 PM
I think we should let this go now, just like the Democrats dropped that Macaca think with George Allen after he apologized.
see-dubya on November 1, 2006 at 4:38 PM
The week’s not over yet.
infidel4life on November 1, 2006 at 4:38 PM
Its an apology
But for being a jackass prior this won’t go away for a while
Defector01 on November 1, 2006 at 4:38 PM
Right on Bryan. Couldn’t have said it better. Anyway, it is clear that this “apology” has been issued for no other reason than to stop the bleeding. Just in time for the evening news and primetime cable news programs though huh? What a coincidence.
RightWinged on November 1, 2006 at 4:38 PM
It’s not good enough. As stated in other comments above, it might have been a better idea if he stopped after the second paragraph.
The fact of the matter is that yesterday he categorically refused to apologize.
I might have accepted his retreat if it came prior to the little show he put on for us in denial.
What a jackass.
jarhead05 on November 1, 2006 at 4:38 PM
There. Fixed it for him
db on November 1, 2006 at 4:40 PM
Maybe he should have originally posted that lame “joke” so it was not misconstrued. Still waiting for Al Gore to weigh in with something brilliant, e.g. extra chromosome crowd.
Valiant on November 1, 2006 at 4:40 PM
“and I personally apologize to any service member, family member, or American who was offended.”
WHO WAS OFFENDED. WHY CAN’T HE STOP AT I APOLOGIZE!!!! THIS IS NOT AN APOLOGY, IT IS A QUALIFICATION…..
dallas94 on November 1, 2006 at 4:40 PM
No one misinterpreted a damned thing, Johnny boy. We heard what you said. This ain’t over.
bdfaith on November 1, 2006 at 4:41 PM
Someone needs to splice together a video of “I apologize to no one!” immediately followed up by “and I personally apologize to any service member, family member, or American who was offended.” Yet another flavor of the famous Kerry waffle.
JustTruth101 on November 1, 2006 at 4:41 PM
I still think skerry should resign. Several GOP leaders were forced to for much less foolishness.
But the double standards applied to the soft and squishy dems must be upheld, I suppose.
//feh
techno_barbarian on November 1, 2006 at 4:42 PM
Note to Senator Kerry… Here is what an apology sounds like:
What I said was wrong and hurtful to our brave soldiers, airmen and marines. I regret my poor choice of words and sincerely apologize for the pain that I have caused.
What an apology isn’t:
I apologize if I offended anyone.
His statement was wrong whether it offended anyone or not.
pistolero on November 1, 2006 at 4:43 PM
Allahpundit isn’t your “killer instinct” type of Republican.
Christoph on November 1, 2006 at 4:45 PM
This man’s utter lack of humility is mind boggling.
infidel4life on November 1, 2006 at 4:45 PM
It may be over officially but that picture from Irak will hang around a long time. That’s how to make a joke. Kerry might do well to study the nuances.
Retread on November 1, 2006 at 4:45 PM
Too little too late. Just another flip flop when he has been dressed down by his own party.
Wade on November 1, 2006 at 4:45 PM
Actually - yes he did! And that’s another irony here:
Had he immediately issued this apology (minus the “misinterpreted” crap, and minus the anti-Bush dig), this would never have been much of a story.
Or alternatively, once he proudly proclaimed he would NOT apologize - he could have at least been man enough to stick by his guns.
Instead, he took the worst option: blame everyone else, declare you won’t apologize, attack your opponents, try to explain your lame joke … and THEN apologize? Even though NOW your apology looks like either admission of guilt … or caving in to your opponents?
Weak, Johnny. Weak. A classic Kerry flip-flop. The man has no spine at all.
By the time next week, he will have retracted the apology. I’d almost bet money on it.
Professor Blather on November 1, 2006 at 4:46 PM
He’ll shed a tear during his next interview…most likely will be CNN’s Larry King.
Remember, you heard it here first.
SouthernGent on November 1, 2006 at 4:46 PM
It’s “ovuh” when JFKerry(D) joins Castro and Ted Kennedy(D) on the ash heap of history.
Manly Men in Magic Hats
DANEgerus on November 1, 2006 at 4:46 PM
Did he say winning strategy or whining strategy. Keep him in the news, keep him out front, he is the DNC at their best.
I love this guy!!
“My name is John Kerry and Teresa approves (and paid) of this message”
right2bright on November 1, 2006 at 4:47 PM
As with any Democratic move, it’s first polled to guage the public’s support, and then they have a discussion group to weigh the policitcal implications…the results are then fed into SPS systems, where the confidence factors, and corresponsding issues are put into spreadsheet format, and analyzed by Japanese consultants (they’re very good at math I’m told). I suppose it was today that the results came in.
StoutRepublican on November 1, 2006 at 4:47 PM
To me, that reads like, uncovered meat. Blaming US for our response.
CrimsonFisted on November 1, 2006 at 4:48 PM
Worst apology ever.
I’m sorry that you people where too stoopid to get my joke and oh by the way, it’s all Bush’s fault.
Have a nice day!
My gawd, Kerry is such a f*cking tool.
The Ugly American on November 1, 2006 at 4:49 PM
Who calls that an apology? Translation: I’m sorry because a bunch of stupid people didn’t understand what I said.
That’s right, it’s too bad other people are at fault here, causing me annoyance and distress.
naliaka on November 1, 2006 at 4:51 PM
Well, duh! You never intended to insult any one troop; you intended to insult the entire military collectively. This is no apology.
Why should this be over? Good grief. Allah Pundit ran threads for weeks on Foley, even after he resigned. Kerry hasn’t even apologized or resigned yet.
No, but we must stop discussing this issue because liberals wish us to, and Allah complies.
januarius on November 1, 2006 at 4:53 PM
Kerry
That makes it clear that every preceeding word was politically motivated.
As a vet, as a registered Independent and as a citizen I find this “apology” unacceptable.
His only sincere regret is that he didn’t get away with denigrating the troops - this time.
“Verbal slip”. My flat white ass.
Stephen M on November 1, 2006 at 4:57 PM
So Lowry, Goldberg, Ponnuru and JPod have all accepted JfK’s apology. It’s probably worth noting that, as great as all those guys are, none of them served in the military. They’re not likely to understand the depth of anger that Kerry’s comments stirred up among those of us who did serve, and especially among those who are serving right now.
Kerry’s clear and obvious smear wasn’t directed at Beltway pundits. It was directed at people who serve now and have served in Iraq, people that many elitists including Kerry sneer at as uneducated cretins, because these elitists either served in the non-volunteer era or didn’t serve at all and don’t have any close connections to anyone who has served in the volunteer force.
If there is such a thing as absolute moral authority in this case, it doesn’t rest with pundits who never served, but with the guys in that photo who are serving right now. I wonder if this “apology” will go over well with them. I doubt it will. Kerry will be the butt of their jokes for a long, long time to come.
Bryan on November 1, 2006 at 4:58 PM
Pardon me while I parse. This is NOT an apology, this is an “I’m sorry you were offended”, NOT “I’m sorry I was an asshole.”
RESIGN NOW, MASSHOLE.
seejanemom on November 1, 2006 at 4:58 PM
I wasn’t pissed when Kerry made the original remark; offended on behalf of the military members certainly, but not pissed. Then he idiotically said he he wouldn’t apologize and I got annoyed. Then he ran and hid for the day today and was too cowardly to do more than issue a ’statement’ that blames us for misinterpreting his original remarks. Now I’m pissed; he’s an idiot, with no judgment, and no spine.
Retread on November 1, 2006 at 4:58 PM
Yeah, and I’m sure he really means it, too.
Idiot.
Dave R. on November 1, 2006 at 4:59 PM
Oh, NRO says it’s over? Aren’t those the same guys who, before noon on election day in 04, ran with obviously bogus exit poll data, basically saying the election was “ovah?”
Please!
TheBigOldDog on November 1, 2006 at 4:59 PM
Anything short of public seppuku won’t do.
Niko on November 1, 2006 at 5:00 PM
That is a pathetic apology that does nothing more than attempt at mis-direct towards Republicans.
Apology not accepted; and I can just about gaurantee that many of our troops feel the same way.
Don’t like it? Too bad, the man is a disgrace and anyone with an ounce of honesty knows he only apologized because he got caught. Knock-knock, anyone in there? Geeze.
Cary on November 1, 2006 at 5:00 PM
I believe he wants to believe that.
Stephen M on November 1, 2006 at 5:00 PM
Was Kerry sincere in his “apology?” Of course not. That’s why he couched it in between weasel-words, kind of like crossing his fingers behind his back when he says, “I swear I’m sorry.” Yeah, right. Just like he really didn’t mean what he said in the first place.
Still, it’s a beginning - and a nice touch of humiliation for a man who just yesterday was throwing a tantrum and swearing he’d NEVER apologize. I’d be more happy, though, if ol’ Johnny-boy has to repeatedly scrape and grovel and abase himself, just like Trent Lott and George Allen had to do before the media jackals were “satisfied” that they’d been properly “punished.”
I’m not holding my breath, though…
Spurius Ligustinus on November 1, 2006 at 5:01 PM
Either way, I think the damage is done, especially to those candidates that defended him.
Winners on the dem side: Harold Ford and Jon Tester, who called on Kerry to apologize without equivocating.
Losers: Bob Casey and Sherrod Brown, who defended him.
Oh, and Kerry of course (concerning ‘08), even with his apology. And while Kerry (very belatedly) finally showed a little contrition, he still had to go and water it down with by trying to deflect to the Republicans yet again in the last paragraph.
thirteen28 on November 1, 2006 at 5:01 PM
Flip: I apologize to no one!
Flop: I apologize.
Kevin M on November 1, 2006 at 5:02 PM
Apology not excepted. I don’t believe he misspoke, I don’t believe it was a botched joke and I don’t believe this apology is sincere. If he is sorry for anything it’s that he may have ruined his chance at higher office. (God Forbid!)
conservativecaveman on November 1, 2006 at 5:02 PM
So, how are the kiddos over at Kos reacting to his cutting and running from not apologizing?
To quote my favorite AllahPundit slap down-
Kerry, you “sanctimonious shit.”
I can definetly interpret the snide backhand in this BS apology.
NTWR on November 1, 2006 at 5:04 PM
It’s the chickenhawk argument mutated!
Allahpundit on November 1, 2006 at 5:07 PM
Don’t question his absolute moral authority.
Niko on November 1, 2006 at 5:09 PM
I’m surprised that so many republicans are buying into this non-apology and dropping the matter. I guess the democrats just want it more this year, and they’ll probably get it judging by the republicans willingness to swallow this load of s**t.
Scot on November 1, 2006 at 5:09 PM
What apology? Where is the news conference? 3 strikes you’re out! Keep on spinning, Kerry it’s the only thing you know how to do.
Kat13 on November 1, 2006 at 5:10 PM
Not exactly the chickenhawk argument. That’s an unfair characterization of what I said, actually. I respect those guys deeply as pundits and writers. I just don’t think they get it, and that’s because they haven’t been on the receiving end of this kind of smear.
As you know I worked around liberals for years. I know what they think of the military when (they think) no one else is around to hear them. Kerry’s remark expressed that disdain I heard day and in day out for years from so many people. That’s why I know it wasn’t a gaffe or slip of the tongue. It’s what he really thinks. Kerry’s apology blames the victims and then turns into an attack on their CinC. That’s not an apology. Sorry, no sale. And I think those who didn’t serve and haven’t felt the left’s hate for the military directly probably have a harder time understanding just how outrageous this whole thing is.
Bryan on November 1, 2006 at 5:13 PM
He probably meant NOT to apologize. It just came out wrong.
Professor Blather on November 1, 2006 at 5:13 PM
The strongest viruses do mutate and adapt.
Hoodlumman on November 1, 2006 at 5:14 PM
That’s true, AP. You lack even a trace of killer instinct.
thirteen28 on November 1, 2006 at 5:15 PM
We’ll get the not-ready-to-make-nice flip by Monday (he really Meanes it), but at least he won’t sing.
mymanpotsandpans on November 1, 2006 at 5:18 PM
It wasn’t much of an apology, but at least he did it. The White House response was perfect, IMHO.
It’s over until next time he denigrates the troops.
dalewalt on November 1, 2006 at 5:20 PM
“Over? Did you say “over”? Nothing is over until we decide it is! Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor? Hell no!”
ReubenJCogburn on November 1, 2006 at 5:20 PM
I guess the military’s a bunch of idiots for misinterpreting Kerry. The last laugh’s on them.
Christoph on November 1, 2006 at 5:21 PM
First of all, this wasn’t sincere. My guess is this was written by a gay political hack who’s mission was to staunch the bleeding.
If you think that Kerry (real name/Kohn) didn’t mean what he said, then you’re either not paying attention or you are an idiot.
God Bless our American Military.
there it is on November 1, 2006 at 5:23 PM
Swiftboat!!!!
EF on November 1, 2006 at 5:23 PM
While I am a semi-conservative republican, I can honestly say that I wouldn’t accept this apology from a Republican had he/she uttered the words JFKerry did.
I think AP needs to get a bit more riled up and serve his constituents (aka rabid fan base) what they want, raw Kerry meat!!
Well said Bryan, and BTW fanF*CKINGtastic job on the Vent backgroung this morning, I LOVE VENT / HOTAIR!!
omnipotent on November 1, 2006 at 5:24 PM
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