UPDATED 18:04 PM EST, December 21, 2012
WASHINGTON (AP) — The former U.S. senator believed to be President Barack Obama's leading choice for defense secretary, Chuck Hagel, is apologizing for remarks he made in 1998 about an openly gay nominee for an ambassadorship.
In a brief written statement issued Friday, the Republican said his comments about James C. Hormel were "insensitive" and did not reflect his views.
