So now Durbin has offered a real apology:

WASHINGTON -- Under fire from Republicans and some fellow Democrats, Sen. Dick Durbin apologized Tuesday for comparing American interrogators at the Guantanamo Bay prison camp to Nazis and other historically infamous figures.

"Some may believe that my remarks crossed the line," the Illinois Democrat said. "To them I extend my heartfelt apologies."

"Again" in quotes in the title because some of his defenders were telling us he apologized last week, when he said we misunderstood his analogy. But come on! "Some may believe that my remarks crossed the line"? "Some"? A pretty weak statement, really. But at least he apologized, we guess. It's quite a bit like a kid apologizing after he gets caught red-handed with his hand in the cookie jar. Not the height of honor, but better than nothing.

It will be interesting to see how the moonbat left takes this apology from Durbin, given that they've been defending his comments for a week.

Say, didn't Trent Lott apologize about 500 times after he said Strom Thurmond would have made a good president? And didn't Lott still lose his leadership position? A little parity seems in order here.

And look how quick Senator John McCain was to jump to the aid of Durbin:

Immediately after the apology, Sen. John McCain, an Arizona Republican and former prisoner of war, spoke in Durbin's defense. "All of us, I believe, who have had the opportunity to serve in public life from time to time have said things that we deeply regret. I know that I have. I would like to say that the senator from Illinois, he did the right thing, the courageous thing, and I believe we can put this issue behind us."

McCain is always so magnanimous when another Democrat is in trouble.

Rick from Stones Cry Out: "While those harmed by his outrageous comments may accept his apology, as Trent Lott learned, an apology does not absolve one from responsibility. Let's see if the Democrats pressure Durbin to forfeit his leadership positions, like Republicans pressured Lott, for his reprehensible comments. I'm not holding my breath."

More from Powerline, LGF, Polipundit, La Shawn Barber, The Shape of Days, Captain's Quarters, and Michelle Malkin.

Jackson's Junction, as usual, has the video.