In TV ad, Dems say GOP would rather apologize to BP than hold company accountable for spill

WASHINGTON – WASHINGTON (AP) — The Democratic National Committee has unveiled a new television ad that calls Republicans oil company loyalists who would rather apologize to BP than hold it accountable for the massive spill in the Gulf.

The 30-second ad started running Monday on national and Washington cable stations. It includes a clip of Republican Rep. Joe Barton of Texas apologizing to BP for what he called a $20 billion "shakedown." Company executives had met with President Barack Obama and agreed to a compensation fund for those affected by the spill.

Barton later took back the apology and GOP leaders have distanced themselves from it, but Democrats have tried to paint Republicans as beholden to the industry.