A history of campaign apology ads

Regret and apology are not themes candidates typically choose to underscore in campaign ads. But that’s exactly what Rep. Todd Akin (R-Mo.) did Tuesday when he released a 30-second spot in which he apologizes for saying in a Sunday interview that “legitimate rape” rarely causes pregnancy.

Akin’s not the first politician to take to the airwaves to say he or she is sorry. Here is a look back at who else has used a similar tactic in recent (and not-so-recent) years:

Earl Pomeroy (2010): The North Dakota Democrat sought to reintroduce himself at the end of the campaign with an ad acknowledging that he had, on occasion, fallen short in the eyes of some voters. ”I know I’ve disappointed you with a vote here or there. But you can always count on the fact that I do what I do for the right reason — for the people of North Dakota,” he said at the end of the ad.

Pomeroy didn’t mention specific votes, but his support for the federal health-care measure was a target of Republicans during the campaign. Ultimately, the ad didn’t work. Pomeroy was swept away in the midterm wave election that brought the GOP control of the House....