Four years ago, Elisabeth Bumiller of the New York Times staved off 63 competitors to lay claim to the coveted Wimblehack crown honoring the country’s worst political reporter. Although it was deemed an upset by Wimblehack Chairman Matt Taibbi (Newsweek’s Howard Fineman was the formidable favorite), Bumiller has now let it be known that she will provide a spirited defense to her title. Indeed we may have a Wimblehack dynasty in the making.

Consider today’s entry, headlined “To Have (as a Running Mate), and to Hold (Politely).” The article is so remarkably vapid and devoid of useful information that it should be used as a primer on how not to cover a modern presidential campaign. The ostensible topic is whether John McCain should welcome his running mate to the stage with a handshake, a hug or a kiss. Bumiller also investigates the thorny question of whether the candidate’s running mate or wife should be introduced first. Because — get this — they’re both women!

To get to the root of these intellectual conundrums, Bumiller consulted several “etiquette experts.” I actually felt pangs of sympathy for McCain adviser Mark Salter for having to answer Bumiller’s moronic queries.

Mr. McCain’s closest adviser, Mark Salter, insisted that there had been no behind-the-scenes stage direction — “Nobody said, ‘Cindy first’ ” — and that no one in the campaign had discussed hugging etiquette or protocol between Mr. McCain and Ms. Palin. “They’re going to behave like normal human beings,” he said. “Nobody ever told him, ‘Just shake hands.’

The gauntlet has been laid down.