Sorry? Fuhgeddit!
FOR BO DIETL, sorry seems to be the hardest word — with verbiage running a close second.
The ex-NYPD detectiveturned-mayoral hopeful is still not apologizing to First Lady Chirlane McCray over his racially tinged remark about her resemblance to African-American Judge Debra James.
“For what?” Dietl asked Friday when asked about a mea culpa for the mayor’s wife. “What would I apologize to Ms. McCray (for)? They’re both beautiful . . . beautiful eyes, beautiful smile.
“So if she wants me to apologize, what did I say wrong?”
Dietl acknowledged making outrageous comments over the past three decades while appearing on the Don Imus radio show, adding some barbs that initially went unnoticed are now deemed politically incorrect.
The 66-year-old Independent party candidate said he had no recollection of calling then-Democratic National Committee head Terry McAuliffe a “pantywearing f----t” in 2005.
“If I offended anybody, I truly apologize,” said Dietl before dropping in a malaprop. “I’ve changed my verbalage because political correctness has changed.
“If I did say it, I said it in a jokingly manner. I’ve changed my whole values. I am very supportive of all people’s lives.”
The bombastic Dietl first came under fire Thursday for the McCray remark, made during an appearance one day earlier, but he downplayed the ruckus for a second straight day.
Dietl made time to lambaste incumbent Mayor de Blasio as “Big Bird” and blasted Hizzoner’s handling of issues like the homeless, Rikers Island and . . . dinner reservations.
“I’ve never seen him in a restaurant in New York City,” griped Dietl. “He eats in all the time. The man doesn’t know how to live. I think if you open his heart up, there won’t be something in there.”
The mayor had stopped short of calling Dietl’s comments about his wife racist, but noted the remark was reminiscent of President Trump insulting a judge of Mexican descent last year.
Dietl bristled at the comparison with the Queens-born billionaire developer: “I don’t want to be compared to him. I’m a guy that’s busted my ass from the beginning. I never got nothing.”
Dietl said he intends to march in this year’s Gay Pride Parade, and has no intention of leaving the race for City Hall.
“I don’t care how tough it gets,” Dietl said. “I’m sure there’s going to be another statement I made.
“Could I take back everything I ever said? No. But is that really important in the sense of what I am today?”