Some ‘Clarification’

I don’t think the Associated Press would let a Republican Governor skate by calling the following, coming on the heels of earlier remarks saying exactly the opposite, a “clarification”:

COLUMBUS – Gov. Ted Strickland said he would welcome Iraqi refugees to Ohio, clarifying earlier remarks about wanting President Bush to leave the state out of a plan to relocate those displaced by war to the U.S.

Strickland said Monday that he was trying to express his frustration with the Bush administration and the Iraq war, which the Democratic governor opposed while he was serving in the U.S. House.

“It’s one of those incidents out of many (when) I’ve said something inartfully and conveyed something that I did not wish to convey,” said Strickland, elected Nov. 7 and sworn in last month. “I guess it means that when you’re a governor, people seem to be interested in what you say, which is fine, but I think everything has a context.”

….. “It is true that Ohio has paid a big burden,” said Strickland, who wouldn’t decide where refugees locate. “I was expressing frustration about all this, but I don’t think I came across as a very nice person.”

No kidding, Ted.

Once again, a politician blows a chance at recovery by failing to say the six magic words: “I was wrong; I am sorry” (there’s no apology here either). But, as noted, the press, which would be demanded an “apology” from a GOP governor, is letting him skate. They think they’re doing him a favor, and maybe they are — this time.