WASHINGTON D.C. (WSAZ) -- United States Senator Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) issued an apology to fellow Senator John McCain (R-AZ) Tuesday. McCain is the presumptive presidential nominee for the Republican party.

In an interview published in today's Charleston Gazette, Rockfeller said, "McCain was a fighter pilot, who dropped laser-guided missiles from 35,000 feet. He was long gone when they hit. What happened when they get to the ground? He doesn't know. You have to care about the lives of people. McCain never gets into those issues."

Tuesday afternoon, Rockefeller issued a statement saying he called McCain to apologize.

“I have deep respect for John McCain’s honorable and noble service to our country. I made an inaccurate and wrong analogy and I have extended my sincere apology to him. While we differ a great deal on policy issues, I profoundly respect and appreciate his dedication to our country, and I regret my very poor choice of words,” Rockefeller said.

Rockefeller's release states that he was attempting to make the point that the person elected President needs to focus on the needs of every day people.

Senator Rockefeller has publicly endorsed Democratic candidate Barack Obama.