Kerry apologizes. Issue over. Distraction ends ... now!

The door on this non-Issue is CLOSED!!

Sen. John Kerry apologized Wednesday for a "poorly stated joke," which the Massachusetts senator says was aimed at the president but was widely perceived as a slam on U.S. troops.

His formal statement reads: "I sincerely regret that my words were misinterpreted to wrongly imply anything negative about those in uniform, and I personally apologize to any service member, family member, or American who was offended.

"As a combat veteran, I want to make it clear to anyone in uniform and to their loved ones: My poorly stated joke at a rally was not about, and [was] never intended to refer to any troop."

In the statement, Senator Kerry continued to accuse the GOP of using his gaffe to distract voters from the real issues of the various campaigns around the country.

"It is clear the Republican Party would rather talk about anything but their failed security policy. I don't want my verbal slip to be a diversion from the real issues. I will continue to fight for a change of course to provide real security for our country, and a winning strategy for our troops."

The White House issued a response today, saying, "Sen. Kerry's apology to the troops for his insulting comments came late, but it was the right thing to do."

Done. Ended. Finished.

Back to the issues at hand!