The newspaper is just a left-wing piece of trash not to be taken seriously. The editors know Patty Murray was an idiot to compliment Osama bin Laden. They are desperately trying to defend her by trying to dismiss the justified, universal outrage at her treasonous remarks.
They actually must feel somewhat responsible in this situation, since it was their reporter who first broke the story of Murray's blatherings. This is their attempt to "make up for it."