By Frank James  With his political future already looking shaky,
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown arguably had to have a
gaffe-free run until parliamentary elections next month in order
to increase his odds of remaining in 10 Downing St. So much for
that notion.  The famously dour Brown committed a huge gaffe
Wednesday when he was caught on an open microphone complaining
to an aide that a constituent he had just chatted with was a
"bigoted woman" and griping that his staff should have shielded
him from her.  The Labor Party leader's comments were picked up
by a Sky News lapel mic he and his staff had neglected to remove
from the prime minister's jacket. Don't you hate when that
happens?  Sky News described the encounter:  He spent nearly
five minutes answering her questions and told her: "It's been
very good to meet you."He smiled at the woman and then got into
a waiting car. However, a microphone picked up his words to an
aide as he drove away. Mr Brown was caught saying: "That was a
disaster. His aide as