J-Pod, you are right. Allen is local, Biden not so much. But then consider this contrast, then. Biden in July, nothing. Congressman John Kline of Minnesota apologizing for the media taking his Haditha remarks out of context, in the Post today, page A-3. (Oh, and just for fun, Murtha refusing to apologize for pre-judging the Haditha Marines? Post put that further back in the paper, A-10.)

Biden is a potential national candidate, as is Allen. John Kline is a House newbie, a backbencher, and certainly not a local story. And may I add a special honorific for quote-whoredom to Robert Holsworth, who reaaally wants to keep his name in the Post: “Virginia Commonwealth University politics professor Robert Holsworth called Allen’s comments a gaffe that probably wouldn’t change the Senate race but could hurt his presidential ambitions.” Holsworth never offered an opinion on Biden’s national ambitions and Indian gaffes.