With only a few political missteps, Kerslake rises steadily through the Conservative Party during his 30-year career.

Some admiring former colleagues say, however, that antagonizing Congress was a political misstep.

A series of resignations, turf battles and political missteps has also led to unusual instability in the superintendent's office.

But the quality of his leadership has also come into question from a series of financial scandals, political missteps and seemingly intemperate comments.

They also continued to privately complain about his repeated political missteps even as they publicly praised him on the Sunday morning television news programs.

Mr. Ozawa is frequently named as a potential future prime minister, but his image has been badly hurt lately by some political missteps.

It may have been a political misstep.

If only Congressman Weiner had known that the invitation itself would become a political misstep.

Her withdrawal on Thursday, after weeks of criticism from all sides, had many reasons and occurred after a number of political missteps.

Then there's the argument that even if the nomination were offered, accepting it would be a political misstep.