It Didn't Take the Press Long to Lie About Ted Cruz's 'Apology'

True, he did apologize.

Ted Cruz privately apologized to GOP senators Tuesday for interrupting their holiday schedules by his surprise tactics that effectively brought the Senate into session over the weekend.

According to five senators who attended Tuesday’s caucus lunch, Cruz offered the apology in unsolicited remarks, saying that he regretted if any of his colleagues’ schedules were ruined by his maneuvering. He didn’t say whether he would do something similar again, senators said.

He was sorry for any scheduling inconveniences his colleagues may have experienced, fair enough.

In the Reuters telling of the story, the misrepresentation begins with the headline:

Firebrand Senator Ted Cruz apologizes for U.S. spending bill ruckus

Then “a source familiar with the meeting” is quoted as saying Cruz “was contrite and made an effort to explain to people he wished he hadn’t done it.”

The “it” is never explained. Of course, the source could actually be reliable and Cruz could still have been talking about the inconvenience, but this article is definitely crafted to leave people with a different impression.

Cruz Comms Director Amanda Carpenter removed any doubt:

Just so everyone is clear. Cruz is not apologizing for actions to stop amnesty. Apologized for surprising, inconveniencing sens on Fri/Sat

— Amanda Carpenter (@amandacarpenter) December 16, 2014