Dean Singleton, the publisher of the Tribune and board chairman of the Associated Press, is the latest in a long line of people to verbally confuse Osama bin Laden with Barack Obama.

Singleton, a Texan who doesn't go for half measures — screwed up bodaciously, making the slip at the Associated Press luncheon in front of just about every news outlet on the planet.

DEAN SINGLETON: Can you imagine shifting a substantial number of Afghanistan — a substantial number to Afghanistan? For the Taliban has been gaining strength and Obama bin Laden is still at large.

OBAMA: I think that was Osama bin Laden. (Laughter from the audience, Obama grins.)

DEAN: If I did that, I’m so sorry. (Smacks forehead and sheepishly smiles.)

OBAMA: No, no, no. This is part of — part of the — part of the exercise that I’ve been going through over the last 15 months, which is why it’s pretty impressive I’m still standing here.

We have yet to hear if Osama took umbrage.