Interesting. In an age of instant 24/7 news with a number of new sources (internet & all) it seems to be getting very easy to start a 'story' by talking about rumors and unnamed sources. Once a 'regular' news organization gets the news item - viola - now there is a reported news story (sounds a lot like the Kerry lover story). These news items then take on a life of their own. Both left & right appear to be getting better at 'creative reporting'.
Since you bring this up, I can't let this pass by unremarked.
The "lover" is Alex Polier and she just wrote the piece that was supposed to explain the misunderstanding all away.
One problem (of several) with her saga is she even notes herself that when the Drudge item appeared and *did not name* anyone, it was the AP itself that called her up over there in Kenya and said that "everybody knew" it was her.
Now, just simmer in that for a minute and think about the implications and then tell me how that was a rumor put to the winds that had little merit.