As reported in the Financial Times today, here's a great example of why politicians (justifiably) suffer low esteem from everyone else in the country (unfortunately, not low self-esteem). This example is from Obama and the ACA, but examples from both sides are embarrassingly profuse.
Here's what a Presidential apology for dissembling, or worse, looks like in the 21st Century:
"With respect to the pledge I made that if you like your [pre-existing health insurance] plan you can keep it, there is no doubt that the way I put that forward unequivocally ended up not being accurate."
For more on this from an historical POV (pointing out how both sides have used the non-apology), here's a good take on it from NPR.