I was out of touch with the press follies for much of the day today because I had to make my way -- delayed a day -- back to New York City. But on this Cheney stuff, just for the moment let's set aside all the questions about how the veep managed to shoot Harry Whittington.

Let's put ourselves back on the scene of the shootout some time Saturday afternoon. The accident happens. All is chaos for a while. Whittington is medivaced off to the local hospital.

Now, it's early Saturday evening. Presumably the veep isn't in a great mood. Who's going to bring up the question of letting the press know? "Mr. Vice President, we have to ..."

Well, you get the idea. Did no one want to pop the question? Did they just figure maybe they could brazen it out? (That one gets my vote.) What do you think?