MOMENT OF CLARITY Sharpton

On his radio show this afternoon, the Rev offered a classic non-apology apology to any followers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints who might've fallen prey to a misinterpretation of his remarks about Mitt Romney in a Monday night debate. (What he said: "As for the one Mormon running for office, those that really believe in God will defeat him anyway, so don't worry about that.")

"I do not disregard or disrespect in any way anybody's religion," Sharpton said. "Mormons who may have been inadvertently hurt by my remarks, the distortion of my remarks ... or the lack of clarity of my words—they have my sincere apology and feelings."

Sharpton says he tried to explain himself to Romney personally, without success. "I tried this morning to call former Governor Romney. I even called the board of elders of the Mormon church and suggested that we all enter some kind of dialogue rather than allow people, through some distortion and political motivations, to spiral into some kind of debate."

A caller named Ed from Salt Lake City introduced himself as a Mormon before attempting to draw a parallel between Sharpton's words and those of Don Imus, who went on Sharpton's show to beg forgiveness after calling female college basketball players "nappy-headed hos." Sharpton shut him down, arguing that saying that Mormonism is a false religion—which he didn't even do!—is not denigrating Mormons personally.

Later, he added, "Innocent people might be arbitrarily hurt, even if it is unfair use of the words. I would apologize for not being clear, so let me be clear: There are some that don't regard the Mormon church. I am not one of them ... It was not what my intention was that night, it's not what I felt I did, but if others felt I did because of the distortion of it, let me put an end to that."

Still to come: Imus's—um, we mean, Sharpton's—appearance on Mormon CNN host Glenn Beck's show tonight.)

PREVIOUSLY
• Sharpton to Get the Sharpton Treatment from Beck

Photo: Getty Images