Pawlenty Aide Sorry for Bachmann 'Sex Appeal' Quip

A top adviser to former Minnesota governor Tom Pawlenty just played the gender card in the race for the presidency, and now he's sorry. Vin Weber conceded earlier this week that Bachmann would be tough to beat in Iowa. “She’s got hometown appeal, she’s got ideological appeal, and, I hate to say it, but she’s got a little sex appeal, too,” Weber said. But now he's mortified those words ever escaped his lips, notes the Washington Post. “I made a mistake that was disrespectful to my friend, Congresswoman Bachmann,” said Weber, who was also once a GOP representative in Minnesota. “I was not speaking on behalf of Gov. Pawlenty’s campaign, but nevertheless, it was inappropriate and I’m sorry.” No response yet from Bachmann. (More Michele Bachmann stories.)