I watched the News Conference video. I did NOT see him apologizing. He said “...this is the message I will continue to carry.” Of course, I’d have loved to have seen him a little more assertive, but, I thought he handled it well. If he’d said something like: “I’m sorry if I offended anyone...” I’d have been livid. But, he didn’t. (Thank God)
and when he said he used bad of choice or something to that effect was not in his prepared text, it was used when he was asked a question..
You are correct Romney did not say I apologize or I may have offended he did say I didn’t say it elegantly and off the cuff - good grief that is an apology.