I suggest you look back on the Republican Primary debates from 2000.
On January 7, 2000, in a debate in South Carolina, candidates were asked to name their biggest mistake made as an adult and what they learned from it.
Orrin Hatch said he had made so many he couldn't name one.
Gary Bauer refused to discuss any personal mistakes.
Steve Forbes referred to editorials he had written calling for positions such as raising gas taxes.
Alan Keyes said that was between him and his priest.
George W. Bush said it was trading Sammy Sosa to the Cubs
John McCain said it was his involvement in the Keating 5 scandal, and said it "will always be a mark on my record and something that people will judge me for the rest of my life."
It's rather interesting the number of candidates, including Bush, who weaseled their way around that question.
True, and good research. I should have been a bit more clear. I think that McCain sees the system as much of the reason he made his mistake. If the system hadn't been flawed, he thinks he wouldn't have been tempted to do this.
Bush did not weasel - read your statement of his comment.