Because we've had extensive experience in major national newsrooms we view news developments in a somewhat different manner than many communications consultants; we see the news through the same lens as working journalists.

Our blog provides analysis of how recent news developments were handled or mishandled by the principal actors and their advisers. Who handled the press attention well? Who did not? How might they have fared better?

We will bestow the M.E. Communications Partners WMD (Worst Media Debacle) award in timely fashion to those we regard as the worst performers.

A careless word, a thoughtless remark, a glib answer to a journalist's question. Whatever it was it seems to have hit John McCain's economic adviser (or is that former adviser?) right between the eyes.

That adviser was/is Phil Gramm the former powerhouse U.S. senator from Texas and long time friend of the GOP presidential candidate. In an unguarded moment recently he called the nation his pal is eager to become president of "a nation of whiners." McCain quickly distanced himself from Gramm saying, "He doesn't speak for me." Though he had been speaking for him on economic matters the day before.

In any case it was too late, the crack about whiners had already been mediaized. That is it was being chewed over on a slow news day by talkmeisters, cable news anchors and bloggers.

Lesson learned: there are no unguarded moments anymore. Someone with a tape recorder, cell phone or just a pen, paper and a good set of ears is always around especially in this political season. All moments henceforth need to be guarded. And people who think the microphone, any microphone, is off ought to check with Jesse Jackson before they crack wise.

That's a lesson we stress to our clients. You don't have to be a national political figure to find a careless remark suddenly posted online. Think before you speak. Web-savvy readers - and that's just about everyone it seems - are constantly on the prowl for new ammunition in the word battle that helps feed the 24 hour news cycle.