Now that controversy has arisen over video of John Hickenlooper, Democratic nominee for Colorado governor, calling rural voters “backwards thinking” hicks who murdered Matthew Shepard, Hickenlooper would like you to know he’s sorry.

Really. He’s not just apologizing because his remarks suddenly threaten his campaign. Also, I’m the Easter Bunny.

DENVER – Democratic candidate for governor John Hickenlooper says he did not mean to offend anyone in comments he made late last year that discussed “backwards thinking” in rural areas of Colorado.

Actually, Hickenlooper himself didn’t even apologize. His campaign communications director issued a statement. So the candidate can’t even take the time to personally apologize for insulting his potential constituents.

Hickenlooper’s campaign Communications Director George Merritt issued a statement to 9NEWS that read: “John was making the point that the kind of intolerance that led to Matthew Shepard’s murder is not unique to a single community in Wyoming. It’s something that can happen in any community. He wishes he had articulated the point better to make it clear that any community is susceptible to hatred, but he continues to feel strongly that the intolerance that killed Shepard is backwards and not acceptable.”

If you look back at his original comments, it’s clear that Hickenlooper intended to call rural voters exactly what he called them: “Backwards thinking” hicks who are of the same mindset as those who murdered Matthew Shepard. He then went on to praise those urban voters who expressly support the LGBT community.

Hickenlooper has made his feelings for rural Colorado voters clear. His communications director can spin all he wants, but Coloradans know the truth.