Durbin's Apology - Too Little, Too Late

Sort of breaking news - Dicky Durbin has finally recanted, to a point. Politicians never deal in absolutes or any form of totality, and Durbin maintains form. His apology is only aimed at "some" of us who believe his remarks crossed the line and targeting specific groups, Holocaust survivors (perhaps a nod to the considerable Jewish populations north of Chicago whose contributions I can only imagine benefits Durbin?) and the military. Despite his supposed emotions, he couldn't bring himself to apologize to all Americans. Perhaps he thought that doing so would betray his core constituents on the far left - though I imagine their support is pretty unconditional. In any case, Durbin has fudged his way out of a serious bind.

There are of course larger implications. First, the damage is done - Al-Jazeera (and I imagine other similar distortionist medias) have latched onto his words to further flame the fires of anti-Americanism. I suspect AJ won't bother to note his half-hearted change of attitude. He should have also apologized for the damage done to America's image and reputation.

Second, the fact that these statements were so widely accepted and even praised by the press (including the left side of the blogosphere) clearly show that the left is totally out of touch with mainstream America, despite their claims to be mainstream America. DailyKos and the rest of his ilk have aligned themselves with Howard Dean and the rest of the loony left. Of course, it's no surprise, but it's somehow unfortunate to see one of America's great political pillars committing suicide by a thousand cuts thanks to the good doctor and the rest of his peanut (-brained) gallery of pundits. I wonder - when is the mainstream of the Democratic party, those that Bill Clinton so succesfully wooed, going to shake off their apathy and attempt to reassert some sort of balance? Slowly, I think, moderate conservatives (of whom I am proud to call myself a member) have begun to find their voice, especially with the judicial compromise and the stem cell actions in the house. There's still work to be done, but I think the Republican party is slowly, almost imperceptibly changing course for the center...whither the Democrats?

Finally, I hope this comes back to hurt Dick Durbin in the future - that might be poetic justice. I expect he'll be one of the Republicans major targets in 2008 (especially if the Democrats succesfully revenge the defeat of Daschle by bringing down the embattled Rick Santorum) , and I know these words will come back to haunt him. If he keeps it up, he might even earn a reputation as Dick the Self-Destructing Democrat. Now I'm just waiting for him to howl.