Dean isn't going to get raked over the coals over nothing like a Republican would have, especially if it had been Bush.

I disagree. If Dean was POTUS, it would be big news. Dean is a nobody.

I don't even know enough about him to say if he makes few or many mistakes like this. The reason this is significant is because if a given foible shows up more than once, it makes it a story. Once Ford did something physically clumsy more than once, he was tarred with it and every further exhibition was a story. Same with Bush and English. Clinton and sex.

If Buckley made a mistake like that it would be news for me, since he's such an amazingly intellegent guy. Likely he would have a witty quote to go with the story, as well, as he's got a great sense of humor.

In short, there are reasons why stories about Republicans are stories. Probably, Dean aspires to being famous enough to having stories like this written about him.

You guys really do whine a lot about this stuff. It is tiresome. Reminds me of the kid in the back seat with the annoying, squeaky voice who punctuates a long car trip with, "He's picking on me!!!"