Mortadullard

That giant sucking sound you hear is Howard Mortman sucking at his chosen profession, political expert. The little weenie was hoist by his own petard while trying to smear Governor Howard Dean. Witness Morty's weaselly retraction:

(Note of clarification: In an earlier version of this column, I cited a third example, the fact that in his new TV ad, in which he talks about health care and jobs, Dean concludes with this line: �That�s why I�m running for President, and why I approve this message.� Turns out, as Dean�s campaign told me today, that under the McCain-Feingold campaign finance reform bill [sic], the candidate is required to make such a statement in television ads. So, it�s the law�s fault, not Dean�s.)

No wonder Morty's no longer at The Hotline, and is now fetching coffee for Tweezer's guests at Hardball.