While we’re on the topic of favorite conservative women, a word or two about Peggy Noonan, currently in some hot water for comments she said off-microphone.

She says one of her comments was taken completely out of context, which seems plausible considering the tape went from some unidentified MSNBC source to Talking Points Memo. She says other thoughts were expressed badly, as it happens when we’re thinking out loud, not editing, speaking extemporaneously.

“There but for the grace of God go I.” Before appearances on Cam’s show, and/or our recent “Red Meat” tapings, I talk about all kinds of things – sometimes funny, often crass, or stupid, or otherwise regrettable. Don Fowler finally expressed regret for joking that Hurricane Gustav’s trajectory towards New Orleans was a sign that God favors the Democrats. Like I said, we all say things we regret, and there are times to cut slack.

If you didn’t like what Noonan said – and I disagree with her — you shake your head, you say “I think she’s wrong,” and you move on. Some of my readers may disagree, but Peggy’s done too much for her readers, for Republican presidents, and for the country to write her off for saying the wrong thing at the wrong time. She’ll have another column next week we’ll probably like better.