Jonathan Alter is a guy we like. The lullaby lulu got its start from another guy we like, Walter Shapiro. And that's how everyone agreed to tell it until Alter improved things a tad. Like Richard Berke in last Friday's Times, Alter also doesn't mention that Gore said the lullaby jibe was a joke. Gore's explanation is supported by tape of the incident, and has been vouched for by USA Today and by conservative Bob Novak.
Explanation help kill a good story.
Many pundits explain the matter as Michael Kinsley does today in today's Post. Kinsley describes press conduct so brainless as to be simply breath-taking, but the explanation is widely offered by the press corps itself. And that is why it's always worth noting when an old tale at last bites the dust. In an otherwise negative story about Crazy Gore's lies, the Washington Post finally gave up on Love Story. David Von Drehle and Ceci Connolly did the honors this Sunday.