Brent Regan (pictured) says he never intended to hurt anyone with a comment, perceived by many to be racist, that he made about President Barack Obama during a legislative forum Saturday in Post Falls. Regan, the Coeur d’Alene School District’s newest trustee, contributed to a discussion about federal gun control measures being explored by the Obama Administration. During the meeting attended by eight state legislators and more than 100 citizens, Regan said that no clear definition of “assault” rifles exists, and then shared part of a conversation he’d had with his wife on the subject: “I said, 'They can't figure out what an assault weapon is — it's just black and it looks scary.' And she looks at me and says, 'Well, so is Obama.'" Regan’s words, published by The Press Sunday in a story about the forum, elicited a flurry of comments on The Press website and other online venues. Some comment posters defended Regan, but many criticized the school board member, some calling for his resignation/Maureen Dolan, Coeur d'Alene Press. More here.

Question: Is this the beginning of the end of the controversy triggered by the offensive anti-Obama statement made by Coeur d'Alene School Trustee Brent Regan at a legislative forum?