Hardly the Best and Brightest.

I apologize to all Democrats and Floridians for my ill chosen words last night. After watching the interview I realize that what I said did not accurately make the point I was trying to establish. More importantly I apologize to all Christians, Jews and other people of faith for any embarrassment or anger my remarks may have caused. Throughout my life I have practiced religious tolerance among all people of faith. I am sincerely sorry for any remarks I made that may have diminished that record. I alone am responsible for my remarks and I pray that they are not taken as the position of the Palm Beach County Democratic Party.

-Mark Alan Siegel, former chair of the DNC of Palm Beach County, in his resignation remarks.  (Here is the interview that got him into trouble.)

I know a number of Jews who have difficulty distinguishing "fundamentalist" Christians from Christians who would not describe themselves as "fundamentalist" and Christians who support our country's policies toward Israel because it is a democracy, not because of any religious agenda.

Underneath his intemperate - really stupid - remarks is a difference of opinion with others as to the policies our country should adopt toward Israel, especially as to how it should address the non-Jewish people who live in that country and around them.  Fair enough.  Israelis differ among themselves as to the policies they should adopt towards the Palestinians. 

Why can't Siegel simply argue that policy?  His use of labels reflects profound  arrogance and bigotry.  Furthermore, except for the first sentence of his statement, his apology is one of those conditional kinds.  "Embarrassment or anger my remarks may have caused"?  Are you kidding, Mark?  Your remarks damaged the Democrats, who spent a lot of time, money, and energy to put on a decent convention, and your remarks compromised that effort.  Nice job.