There is a long-running joke in the Journal newsroom that when a certain high-profile leader for decades in western South Dakota is quoted in a story, it is said that he "must have found an unguarded microphone."

Of course, microphones aren't always people's best friends, as evidenced by civil-rights activist's Jesse Jackson's brouhaha in which he was caught whispering things about Barack Obama and ensuing action that would make any amount of Viagra useless to the presumptive Democratic nominee for November's presidential race.

Jackson has apologized, but he should take comfort in that he isn't the first (nor will he be the last) to fall victim to the forgotten microphone. Here are some of the best known in our day.

RONALD REAGAN

At the height of the Cold War in 1984, US President Ronald Reagan was joking around during what he believed was a voice-level test before a radio address to the nation when he delivered what would be one of the best known quotes from his two terms in office.

"My fellow Americans, I'm pleased to tell you today that I've signed legislation that will outlaw Russia for ever. We begin bombing in five minutes.' The problem was, his comments were broadcast live.

Although he was in the midst of a re-election campaign, the gaffe didn't stick much to the Teflon president. Democratic challenger Walter Mondale briefly improved in the polls, but got walloped in November as Reagan went on to win a second term.

GEORGE W. BUSH NO. 1

Reagan isn't the only president who was caught unawares by a live microphone, and he certainly doesn't lead the pack in the number of gaffes. That award no dobut goes to our current commander in chief, George W. Bush.

Bush's most famous gaffe came even before he was president. In the midst of his 2000 race against Al Gore, Bush was preparing for a campaign speech in Illinois when a live mic picked up a conversation between himself and Vice President Dick Cheney in which Bush said: "There's Adam Clymer, major league (expletive) from the New York Times."

Although he didn't apologize for his statement, he still followed in Reagan's footsteps in that the incident didn't prevent him from becoming president.

Perhaps voters figured he knew what he was talking about. Who better to determine if someone was big league, as Bush himself was a former Big League boss, heading the Texas Rangers for a number of years before winning election as governor of Texas.

GEORGE W. BUSH NO. 2

When the president was caught unawares at a conference talking during a break at the G8 conference, the quote that got all the press was his comment on Hezbollah's attack on Israel.

But the full conversation is much more interesting in that it sheds some light on Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair's relationship. I especially like his greeting to Blair, which is, "Yo, Blair. How are you doing?"

Just another day at the office.

PRINCE CHARLES

Preparing for a press confer ence on the slopes above the Swiss resort, Prince Charles was caught moaning to sons Princes William and Harry about BBC royal reporter Nicholas Witchell.

For most of our readers, his comments seem barely newsworthy and not that offensive, but it was big news that the extremely guarded Charles would be seen in a way that would look down so at commoners in the media.

The exchange when something like this:

Charles: Do I put my arms around you?

William: No, don't, don't! You can take the horrible glasses away, too.

Photographer: Look as if you know each other, come on!

Charles: What do we do?

William: Keep smiling, keep smiling.

Charles: These people

Harry: Someone's got a question…

Charles: Bloody people, I can't bear that man, (referring to Nicholas Witchell) I mean, he is so awful, he really is."

KYRA PHILLIPS

Now her name isn't so well-known, but when it comes to the history of unguarded microphones, her gaffe will live forever in our collective memory.

I've had bad dreams like this, but even they tend to not be this embarrassing.

If you don't recall, Phillips was the CNN reporter whose trip to the restroom during a speech by President George W. Bush was documented on an open mic for the whole world to hear.

There was some dissing of family members and other general embarrassments, all running over the audio of president's speech.