I want to tell y'all I am so sorry this happened over Father's Day.
I want to apologize to my wife.
What I fear is that she will not be running any more political campaigns for me.
I want to apologize to my boys.
Good daddies don't write emails to dear, dear friends in Argentina.
I want to apologize to good friends who have said, in the Southern version of Jay Leno's immortal words to Hugh Grant, "What the gosh darn were ya thinkin'?"
I want to apologize to my staff because I said that it was possible that I would be off hiking the Appalachian Trail, when I know full well that the Appalachian Trail does not run through Argentina.
I want to apologize to Patti Lupone for twisting the words to her very fine song, "Don't Cry for Me Argentina" to "I've Been Cryin' for Five Days in Argentina."
I want to apologize to everyone who lives on Republica de la India in the Palermo section of Buenos Aires for the unwanted attention you will be getting from the paparazzi.
I want to apologize for resigning the chairmanship of the Republican Governors' Association (RGA) because I need time to apologize to my beloved in-laws and every last town and person in South Carolina. As you well know, that takes time. The process takes time.
Most of all, I want to apologize for stepping down as Chair of the RGA. I had no idea that Haley Barbour of Mississippi (Mississippi!) would be replacing me.
I want to apologize to all the people of faith because I need them to forgive me if I'm gonna run for the Presidential nomination in 2012.
Lastly, most of all, I would like to ask your indulgence, I would like to ask your forgiveness, for using the expression "the whole sparkin' thing."