Just as an aside, I have noticed many times that when a PR blast is called for on behalf of the Left and the Democrats, that some organization seems to be involved, if an informal one. A particular line of attack or a particular talking point somehow manages to appear in many places at the same time in the media and on the lips of pundits, although no central source is apparent. The most amusing example was the great "gravitas" flap, when suddenly dozens of newsmen, writers, and other liberal pundits were simultaneously discussing the idea of "gravitas," spouting a word that I would bet a hundred dollars none of them had heard of a week ago.

In the past week, there has been an effort to pump up Colin Powell from a number of standard liberal sources, including the NYT. Bernie's little bit in his list is just the latest example. I'm not sure what the motivation is, but it's interesting.