Note to politicos... STOP apologizing

[SoCalDem]

I just read that Elizabeth Edwards has apologized to Clinton..

Hogwash.. When a person is ASKED to comment on something or someone, what they SAY...well that's their OPINION..they should not feel pressured to apologize, and any apology rings false after the fact.

If you ACCIDENTALLY hurt someone (like you bash them with a door, or step on their foot, or cut in front of them in line) it's fine to say "I'm sorry"..but

in a political sense, what a politician says, is what they mean..

The stump speeches are carefully crafted, and their off-the cuff statements are what THEY are thinking.

If they say something dumb, the just need to acknowledge that they said a dumb thing, but to apolopgize for their own personal opinions is an empty act..

Mel Gibson (not a politician, but...) is a prime example.. He can NEVER "apologize" for the anti-semitic/sexist things he said.. He can only admit to being drunk and running off at the mouth, but the mouth spoke his feelings and beliefs.. I have no doubt that he is sorry.. but he's sorry that his true self was revealed..nothing more.

So pols...if someone asks you what you think about X or Y or even Z, say what you will, but OWN it.. Don't spout off and then think that an apology later will "erase" what you said.

When you are in a public arena, claiming that you got your feelings hurt, and demanding an apology is lame too. so let's stop that too :)_

m'kay?

[OhioBlue]

1. well... I don't know the specific

incident that you are referring to, but if Elizabeth Edwards offered an apology to someone, my first instinct is to believe that it was sincere. I have owed an apology to people for things that I have said in the past. I don't think there should be a ban on apologies just b/c you are in a political atmosphere.

[BootinUp]

2. Elizabeth just wanted some attention, shes

selling a book , and happy to get any coverage she can get.