COLUMBIA--Rep. John Graham Altman apologized to fellow lawmakers for his comments about domestic violence as a new bill to address the issue sped through the House on Tuesday.

"I wanted to express regret, real regret, and real sorrow over the publicity that this House has gotten in the last week," said Altman, R-Charleston. "Looking through the rearview mirror, you can certainly see where you swerved (and) you can say, boy, I wish I hadn't made that turn."

Altman's comments came soon after a reworked criminal domestic violence bill was fast-tracked through the House. The new legislation actually increases the penalties from the previous version by making the third offense a felony with one to five years in prison.

House Republican leaders asked Altman to apologize after he sparked a national outrage with his remarks last week about battered women during an interview with a Columbia television station.

In the interview, Altman said he didn't "understand why women continue to go back around men who abuse them." He also criticized the reporter for comparing the domestic violence legislation that was tabled with a cockfighting bill that passed the Judiciary Committee.As he has for the last week, Altman stood by his opinion Tuesday and only apologized for causing the House and its members to be seen in a negative light.

"I'm sorry I caused pain to those to whom I really caused pain, and I'm sorry I caused pain to those who might want to say ouch anyway," he said during a 6-1/2-minute apology on the House floor.

Most lawmakers felt his apology was sincere but some wondered if it was rote.

"I think he was a bit contrite," said Rep. Laurie Funderburk, D-Camden. "I think he did what he had to do ... but it didn't sound very voluntary,"

House leaders hoped the mea culpa would put the episode behind them, but Democratic and Republican lawmakers said Altman still needed to apologize to victims of domestic violence and the TV reporter. "I think he missed the point a little bit," said Rep. James Smith, D-Columbia.

Speaker David Wilkins, R-Greenville, called Altman's comments "heartfelt." Wilkins said he did not compel the lawmaker apologize. "Anyone who knows John Graham Altman knows you don't make him do anything," Wilkins said.

Democrats were pushing for further sanctions against Altman, but those intentions seemed to fade with his request for forgiveness.

"As far as I am concerned, an apology was all that is needed," said Minority Leader Harry Ott, D-St. Matthews. "I hope we can put this behind us now."

Altman would not comment about his apology after his speech.

The uproar Altman created prompted lawmakers to move the domestic violence bill directly to the House calendar.

Judiciary Chairman Jim Harrison, R-Columbia, said it could be approved by Thursday.

The new bill attracted a tide of Republican support, which infuriated Rep. Gilda Cobb-Hunter, D-Orangeburg, the lead sponsor of the bill that was killed last week in committee.

Wilkins and Harrison had hoped to show bipartisan support by having Cobb-Hunter's name on the bill, but she rescinded hours before it was introduced.

Cobb-Hunter objected to Republican leaders reviving a version of her legislation after calling it "flawed" the previous week. Altman's name among the list of cosponsors on the bill especially peeved her. "This is so much deeper than an apology and, quite frankly, he's been allowed to get away with his buffoonish behavior for years," Cobb-Hunter said.

"This is nothing but partisan damage control," she added. "This is a national embarrassment they are just trying to clean up ... and I refuse to be a part of it."

Wilkins said he never intended to make the issue a partisan snub.

"Whether it's a Republican author or Democratic author, I could care less," he said during a press conference. "What I do care about is getting this bill passed and sending a strong message that we take (criminal domestic violence) serious in South Carolina."

That is the message people in Charleston wanted to hear as they rallied across from Altman's Folly Road home to protest what they said was his lack of sensitivity on domestic violence issues.

Even though Altman was in Columbia, it didn't stop more than 70 people -- men and women -- from striking back.

Signs at the rally read "no place to go," and "S.C. deserves public servants who 'get it.' "

Among those in the crowd was Karen Moldovan, a battered women's shelter counselor.

"One of the most dangerous times is when women are trying to leave," she said, adding just the act of walking out the door can get a woman killed.

WADE SPEES/STAFF Amy Farmer (left) joins about 70 other protesters Tuesday across the street from Rep. John Graham Altman's house on Folly Road in opposition to his comments last week about battered women.

Altman's wife, Charm, was at home during the protest.

"I didn't pay any attention to them," she said. "It doesn't upset me at all. ... It seemed kind of silly to be out there protesting when he's up in Columbia."

Only one person was at the rally to support Altman. Bates Altizer said Altman was using "common sense" when he questioned why women choose to stay in abusive relationships. "There's absolutely nothing wrong with that inquiry," Altizer said.

Altizer said he wasn't being light on abusers but felt it is up to battered women and society to be more active in promoting a quick separation of domestic attackers and their victims.

While House leaders hoped the issue would go away, it appears it will last at least one more day. The South Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault will hold a similar rally on the steps of the Statehouse today.

Dear Colleague:

I hope I have the opportunity to make these comments on the House floor today. I also wanted to make them to you in this letter.

I want to take this moment to express my regret and sorrow over last week's events. I very much regret that my comments were offensive to some. My intention was not and never will be to paint this institution or you in a negative manner. And so I regret the attention this whole episode has received.

I know many of you don't like or appreciate my comments. I am sorry to those I have offended. But I hope we never get to a place in this body, in this state, when we are no longer allowed to speak our minds.

I'm not asking you to support me. Each of you has the right to tell the world how much you disagree with me. That's what our democracy is all about.

Again, I apologize for this episode. I deeply regret that I offended anyone and for any embarrassment I may have caused this institution I love so much.

Sincerely,

(Signed) John Graham Altman

THE NEW BILL

-- The first conviction on criminal domestic violence is a misdemeanor that can bring up to 30 days in jail and a fine up to $2,500. The current penalty is 30 days in jail or a $500 fine.

-- A second offense is a misdemeanor with a minimum of 30 days to a maximum of one year in jail and up to $5,000 in fines. That's up from the current penalty of 30 days and a $500 fine.

-- A third offense would be a felony with one to five years in prison. That crime now is a misdemeanor with up to three years in prison.