Today’s New York Times corrects a June 10 story by Anne E. Kornblut as follows:

An article on June 10 about criticism of Howard Dean, the Democratic Party chairman, over several derogatory remarks he made about Republicans paraphrased incorrectly from his comment during an appearance in San Francisco. He said that the Republican Party was “pretty much a white, Christian party” – not that it was made up “only” of white Christian conservatives.

Here’s the original quote — it’s remarkably inaccurate: “Dr. Dean has tossed several other sweeping barbs at Republicans in recent days, saying that the party is made up only of white Christian conservatives who are intolerant of diversity and that he hates what they represent.” Dean says such crazy things already; why does Kornblut feel the need to overstate them?

I went and checked if other people have dropped the “pretty much” modifier, and there are several other examples from prominent newspapers. In particular, on June 10, the San Francisco Chronicle opened an editorial condemning Dean with this: “Howard Dean’s statement that the Republican Party is made up of nothing more than ‘white Christians’ is wrong, reckless and offensive.” Not only did the Chronicle fail to quote Dean accurately, but it put “white Christians” in quotes as if those were the words he used in the statement in question.

Like most people, I don’t appreciate what Dean said, but that doesn’t mean the press should exaggerate it.