Republican Mike Pence Apologizes for Comparing Obamacare Ruling to 9/11 Attacks

Congressman Mike Pence, former Presidential prospect and current Republican candidate for the Governorship of Indiana, apparently had a bit of trouble expressing his disappointment with the Obamacare Supreme Court ruling yesterday in a constructive fashion. While it's not clear what exactly Pence said, what is known is that he apparently compared the Obamacare ruling to the attacks on the United States on 9/11. Whatever our sympathies with Pence, that's not exactly the best approach for any issue.

But to Pence's credit, unlike so many other politicians who say the wrong thing and then hem and haw defensively over their comments before issuing non-apologies, Pence has issued his apology a day after his comments without so much as missing a beat. The New York Daily News reports:

Judging by aggressive questioning from conservative justices when the case was argued in March, Republicans had been eagerly expecting what they assumed would be a decision that struck down Obama’s signature domestic accomplishment. Instead, they got a verdict upholding the entire plan, with one change, that was decided 5-4 by the vote of conservative Chief Justice John Roberts. The decision infuriated many on the right.

It was not clear exactly what Pence said in comparing the legal decision with the terror attacks, which claimed nearly 3,000 lives.

Once word of his comment was leaked to the press, Pence quickly apologized.

“My remarks at the Republican Conference following the Supreme Court decision were thoughtless,” he said in a statement. “I certainly did not intend to minimize any tragedy our nation has faced, and I apologize.”

Apparently, Pence internalized Glenn Beck's monologue about taking responsibility almost completely. His opponent John Gregg, of course, is doing his best to make hay out of the issue. He is calling on Pence to apologize directly to the families of firefighters, first responders and the families of those who lost their lives.

Somehow, we doubt Pence would have a problem making such an apology, if the people in question were upset enough to let him know they wanted one. However, in the absence of such a desire, we think his opponent is probably trying to spin this for the sake of his own election.