Every now and then the finely tuned machines that are seasoned politicians sputter and choke. Be it Vice President Dick Cheney’s warning to Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) to “fuck off” or Rep. Cynthia McKinney’s recent dressing down of an aide while still wearing a clip-on microphone, even those trained in the art of diplomacy and tact occasionally allow their true feelings to be heard. Today was D.C. Mayor Anthony Williams’ turn.

Towards the end of his weekly press briefing today, Williams became upset after WTOP Political Reporter Mark Plotkin wouldn’t stop badgering him about District voting rights. Said an angry Williams, according to a recording of the exchange passed on to us by WTOP:

Mark, God dammit, everybody tries. Everybody tries to reach the President. I’m just being realistic, OK. If I’m unable to reach the President, then what am I going to do, take my marbles and go home? I’ll talk to someone else, I’m saying it, but you’re making me say it and that’s why I’m saying God dammit.

Williams, realizing his little public snafu, quickly corrected himself, offering an apology to the surely shocked press corps:

I think it’s inappropriate to use that term in a public. As a Christian man, I think it’s inappropriate to use the term, period. Certainly it’s inappropriate in a public setting, and I apologize again to everyone, including the faith leadership.

Given that the man has had two full terms in office to bite his tongue and take the high ground in front of snippy reporters and critical opponents, we should probably let him slide on this one.