'Today' Fails to Call Democrat Caught in Sex Scandal - a Democrat

Whenever a Republican gets caught in a sex scandal the GOP party affiliation is permanently affixed to that person's name in the media - think most recently of Larry Craig and Rudy Giuliani. However when it comes to labeling Democratic politicians caught in affairs, reporters often suffer from brief bouts of amnesia. Such was the case on the Thursday "Today" show where co-host Ann Curry forgot to note the party affiliation of the Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick in her report on his recent ordeals:

See if you can spot the (D) label in the following January 31 "Today" show story:

ANN CURRY: A scandal involving private text messages forced a popular mayor of a major, a major U.S. city to make a very public apology last night and to beg for forgiveness.

[On screen headline: "Detroit Mayor Apologizes, Begs For Forgiveness"]

MAYOR KWAME KILPATRICK [No party label noted on screen]: Good evening Detroit, I want to start tonight by saying to the citizens of this great city, "I'm sorry."

CURRY: With those words Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, Wednesday night, began a seven minute apology for what he called the "embarrassment and disappointment" of the last few days.

KILPATRICK: Finally and most important I want to make a public apology to my wife Carlita, who I fell in love with when I was 19-years-old. This dynamic, strong, caring woman has been forced to go through this very difficult experience because of me. I truly apologize to you.

CURRY: First elected seven years ago, Kilpatrick and his former chief of staff, Christine Beatty are under investigation for allegedly lying under oath. Last summer two police officers filed a lawsuit saying they were fired for investigating whether the mayor used his security detail to cover up extramarital affairs. During the trial the mayor and Beatty denied being lovers.

ATTORNEY: Were you and the Mayor Kilpatrick either romantically or intimately involved with each other?

CHRISTINE BEATTY: No.

CURRY: But last week a Detroit newspaper revealed a series of steamy text messages exchanged between the two. In those text messages they professed that they were madly in love with each other. Beatty also asked the mayor if he missed her sexually. He responded by telling her quote, "I want some more." Wednesday night the mayor's wife Carlita, stood by her man.

CARLITA KILPATRICK: Yes I am angry, I am hurt and I am disappointed but there is no question that I love my husband. Most couples who work through problems in their marriage are able to do so privately. Unfortunately that option is not available to us.

CURRY: The mayor has said he will not resign but the county prosecutor has vowed to get to the bottom of the allegations.