In an attempt to quell the media firestorm surrounding controversial comments made last week by Kentucky Rep. Richard Wescott, aides to the congressman told reporters Monday that the exact expression of one of his deeply felt opinions was a regrettable gaffe and nothing more. The representative misspoke, a senior staffer said of Wescotts decision to candidly state a conviction that has guided his entire three-decade career in public service and influenced most, if not all, of his legislation. Going forward, Representative Wescott will work to [keep this cornerstone political belief silent when in the presence of cameras or microphones, and only allow it to inform the way he votes on bills and measures in Congress, represents the 600,000 individuals in his district, and assesses nearly every policy decision he is faced with]. He is truly sorry. At press time, most of Westcotts constituents had accepted his apology after he vowed to give every ounce of effort toward achieving several goals neither he nor they actually cared about one way or the other. 