I guess not responding to criticism anymore is one way to handle it-even though she initally tried to do that. Deborah could maybe admit that there was an error and correct the problem. Howard Kurtz acknowledged as much. Who would fault her for doing that? This is the route she took via FishbowlDC:
Omb Learns Lesson
Posted By: Deborah Howell
Date: 1/13/06 5:45:52 PM EDT

"The omb lesson is that I replied to mediamatters.org last week that I thought I had been misrepresented. That's just brought another attack. From now on, I don't reply."

I hope after a little time goes by she'll reconsider. Would she refuse to comment any further if the pressure came from Brent Bozell? The Washington Post would probably fall all over themselves to accommodate his complaints.

(Update): Jane: "Okay the WaPo has now entered the territory of deep absurdity, employing an ombudsman who does not reply to the public. Which I suppose now makes her the ombudsman to the Heritage Foundation...read on