SENIOR DEMS ASK PRESS TO IGNORE DEAN

Sure Dean's been doing what he does best – shooting his mouth off – but it's the right wing and press conspiring to blow his marks out of proportion that's causing a problem:

"I think we all understand what's happening with you all," said Senate Minority Whip Richard J. Durbin, in remarks echoing Hillary Rodham Clinton's blaming a "vast right-wing conspiracy" for her husband's legal-ethical woes.

"The right wing has got the agenda moving. Fox [News Channel] and everybody's got the agenda. It's all about Howard Dean. You've bought into it," Mr. Durbin said.

"You can't let up on it. You ought to be ashamed of yourselves."

Dean couldn't do a better job of undermining the Democrats if he tried.