Sharpton Sorry the Mormons Misunderstood Him

MOMENT OF CLARITY Sharpton

Attention, Mormons: Al Sharpton is sorry—sort of.

On his radio show this afternoon, the Rev offered a classic non-apology apology to any followers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints who might've fallen prey to a misinterpretation of his remarks about Mitt Romney in a Monday night debate. (What he said: "As for the one Mormon running for office, those that really believe in God will defeat him anyway, so don't worry about that.")

"I do not disregard or disrespect in any way anybody's religion," Sharpton said. "Mormons who may have been inadvertently hurt by my remarks, the distortion of my remarks ... or the lack of clarity of my words—they have my sincere apology and feelings."

Sharpton says he tried to explain himself to Romney personally, without success. "I tried this morning to call former Governor Romney. I even called the board of elders of the Mormon church and suggested that we all enter some kind of dialogue rather than allow people, through some distortion and political motivations, to spiral into some kind of debate."