David McKalip, the St. Petersburg, Florida neurosurgeon and healthcare reform opponent who sent a racist email showing President Obama dressed as a witch doctor has apologized directly to the president. Talking Point Memos’s Muckracker has been following this story with daily updates. They’ve posted a statement from McKalip:

"I genuinely regret the decision I made in passing this e-mail message along. Directly to President Obama, I sincerely apologize for offending him. This was, in no way whatsoever, my intention. The image has nothing to do with my feelings or thoughts on any race or culture. I recognize that this image is offensive and hope that the nation refocuses on assuring all Americans have access to high-quality, affordable health care with no party interfering in the patient-physician relationship. My intention is to focus directly on the issue at hand, which is putting financial and decision-making power into the hands of patients and taking it from government and insurance companies."

What do you think? Is that really an apology? Is this just a PR stunt apology? or does he really understand his actions? In other news, the Miami Herald is reporting McKalip "submitted his resignation as president-elect of the Pinellas County Medical Association last week, and plans to remove himself as a delegate with the American Medical Association." Good.