This is pathetic:
While questioning Hayward in the afternoon, Barton offered an apology if his earlier comments were "misconstrued."
"If I might take a small point of personal privilege I want to be absolutely clear that I think BP is responsible for this accident, should be held responsible and should in every way do everything possible to make good on the consequences that have resulted from this accident," he said. "And if anything I said this morning has been misconstrued to the opposite effect I want to apologize for that misconstrued misconstruction."
In a statement he made his apology more explicit.
"I apologize for using the term 'shakedown' with regard to yesterday's actions at the White House in my opening statement this morning, and I retract my apology to BP," he said. "...I regret the impact that my statement this morning implied that BP should not pay for the consequences of their decisions and actions in this incident."
Sorry, Joe. Words on paper just won't cut it. We know how you really feel. You already told us, from your own lips.
And as for Republicans: they only thing they care about is avoiding the political fallout, because deep down, they all agree with Barton too.
Update 1 -- New DNC video of all the GOP 'apologies':
Update 2 -- Haha, funny comment:
Apologizing for the apology? I'm sorry, but that's just sorry.
Yep. And it's weak, too.