Then that's what you say. The truth is beneficial, even for politicians.
Wanna bet that if we check, every one of these apologists was a lesser evil supporter?
Colonel,
I have not read his apology. If it was anything like the apologies to my (ex) wife, it would be along the lines of “I’m sorry dear. I did not realized that I committed that awful deed 12 years ago.” I learned never to challenge her perfect memory or the trouble just escalated.