I am not ready to cut him any slack. He had years to think about what he had done and come to that conclusion. I think this is a case of only wanting to do the right thing now because of other people's reactions. When it was only the book publishers (lefties?), he thought what he had done was just fine. Only after he got widespread criticism did he feel any remorse. Character is about doing what is right, regardless of other people's opinions.
And how do we know he's really remorseful, and not just CAUGHT?
Character is doing the right thing when nobody is looking; this guy got busted and now he's sorry.
Not buying it.