When is an apology not an apology?

From the Albany Times-Union
Section: CAPITAL REGION
Page: B3
Date: Friday, May 16, 2003

A `MEA CULPA' FOR ALL REASONS
Albany County Comptroller Mike Conners acknowledges that he has made mistakes, but he said he'll leave it to voters to decide what they were.

In a letter distributed to party committee members last week, he said: ``Yes, I have made mistakes in the past and regret any pain my decisions may have caused you.''

Was the feisty Menands Democrat acknowledging a lapse in judgment with his endorsement last year of Republican Gov. George Pataki? Was he recanting his opposition to project labor agreements with union tradesmen? Or his criticism of County Executive Mike Breslin's administration's policies at the county nursing home or social services department?

``No,'' Conners said firmly. Rather, ``it's a mea culpa for whatever you want it to be.''

For a Democrat, Mike Conners sure does love Republicans and Republican ideas.