After nearly a week of criticism following revelations that he misrepresented his military record and five days after a press conference in which he expressed regret for his misstatements, Democratic U.S. Senate nominee Richard Blumenthal apologized.
"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,'' Blumenthal said in a statement emailed to the Courant late Sunday by his spokeswoman, Maura Downes. "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,'' Blumenthal said. "I will always champion the cause of Connecticut's and our nation's veterans."
Blumenthal, who has been Connecticut's Attorney General for the past 20 years, has been under intense fire since the New York Times reported last week that he had, on several occasions through the years, incorrectly stated that he served in the Vietnam War. In fact, Blumenthal received five draft deferments, the Times reported, and was a member of the Marine Corps Reserves who served in the U.S. during the war.
On Tuesday, less than 24 hours after the story broke, Blumenthal held a press conference at the Veterans of Foreign War hall in West Hartford and tried to put the issue to rest. He expressed regret for those occasions when he has "misspoken" about his service, but never uttered the words "I am sorry.''
The lack of an apology provided fresh fuel to his critics, with several veterans groups, editorial boards, Democratic state Sen. Ed Meyer and New Haven Mayor John DeStefano urging him to say he is sorry. The Courant sent an email to his campaign Sunday afternoon asking if an apology would be forthcoming and, several hours later, the campaign released his statement.
For most of his career in the public eye, Blumenthal, who is 64 and lives in Greenwich, enjoyed an unassailable reputation. Since entering the race, he has been the clear frontrunner, although one poll taken last week showed a sharp decline in his popularity since the Times story broke.
Blumenthal was nominated by Democrats at their convention on Friday. He is running to fill the seat currently held by Sen. Christopher Dodd, who is not seeking reelection.
Republicans endorsed former World Wrestling Entertainment CEO Linda McMahon, though her two GOP opponents, former Congressman Rob Simmons and money manager and author Peter Schiff said they intend to force a primary.
State Republican Chairman Chris Healy criticized Blumenthal for making his apology by email, calling it an "electronic mumble.''