Caught lying about his Vietnam era service (he claimed to have served "in Vietnam" when he did not), Connecticut Attorney General and Democratic Senate Candidate Richard Blumenthal has now misspoken his way through an alleged apology. Since the story first broke, Mr. Blumenthal has claimed he misspoke, that there were "misplaced words" and that he regretted what happened but was still being pressured from veterans groups, the media and political foes to apologize for his deception. His latest statement still doesn't ring true.

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In response to an e-mail query from the Hartford Courant asking whether Blumenthal intended to apologize, an e-mail sent by campaign spokeswoman Maura Downes contained the following statement from the candidate:

"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. 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. I will always champion the cause of Connecticut's and our nation's veterans." (source)

To not have been "as clear or precise" as he should have been would have been to say the words he has claimed he meant to say. Claiming to have served "during the Vietnam era" could be seen as unclear and imprecise. The claim Mr. Blumenthal did make, that he served "in Vietnam" is extremely clear and precise and a blatant lie.

Obviously the claim that he has "firmly and clearly expressed regret and taken responsibility for [his] words" is not the case or this latest "apology" would not have been necessary.

Saying that he has made mistakes does come closest to the truth and the actual words "I am sorry" almost sound like the apology so many demanded. But what "mistakes" is he admitting he made? The statements he still insists were merely unclear and imprecise? That people were offended (an oft-used political ploy to apologize for the reaction of others not their own misdeeds, see: Bill Clinton)? Or, his excuse in which the entire statement is wrapped?

Mr. Blumenthal begins his alleged apology claiming to honor veterans and ends it with a promise to always champion their cause as if he was so dedicated to them that the "misplaced words" were somehow meant to help them. In fact, what Mr. Blumenthal was dedicated to was his own political ambition and it is that same self-serving instinct that is preventing him from simply saying he is truly sorry that he lied.