Being a Democrat Means Never Having to Say You're Sorry

Until today:

After nearly a week of criticism following revelations that he misrepresented his military record and five days after a press conference in which he expressed regret for his misstatements, Democratic U.S. Senate nominee Richard Blumenthal apologized.

“At times when I have sought to honor veterans, I have not been as clear or precise as I should have been about my service in the Marine Corps Reserves,” Blumenthal said in a statement emailed to the Courant late Sunday by his spokeswoman, Maura Downes. ”I have firmly and clearly expressed regret and taken responsibility for my words.

“I have made mistakes and I am sorry. I truly regret offending anyone,” Blumenthal said. “I will always champion the cause of Connecticut’s and our nation’s veterans.”

Blumenthal thought he could get away with a press conference at the VFW with some veterans, some of whom had dubious credentials themselves, and make it all go away with the help of the willing accomplices in the press. After a week it's clear that this tactic didn't work and in fact may have backfired on his Senate campaign. His lead pretty much collapsed into low single digits and his candidacy is severely weakened.

The apology today does not come from humility but from political necessity.  It's not going to help.