Today when taking questions about Iraq, President Bush said, "I will once again make that plea" for money and troops from other countries.

I guarantee you that the president's handlers in the room gritted their teeth or drew blood from their lower lips when they heard the P-word come out of the president's mouth.

Just for starters, what would the Standard and the National Review have said if Bill Clinton had used that word in the context of seeking help from other countries?

(Actually, scratch that: What will the Standard say? They're getting as much distance from this administration on this as they can.)

This is what we call a Kinsley Gaffe, the unintentional and deeply embarrassing statement of the truth.

The truth is that we do need other countries' help. But it's only the president's folly which has put us in the position of needing to beg.