However,I think that editors are obligated to find ways of avoiding such egregious errors. Luckily, I am not an editor and so don't have to know what he/she should have said.

Sigh. We are so under appreciated.... until the sloppy reporter/writer needs someone to blame.

I think I'd opt for : "of the options available the best of a bad lot was chosen " or sumpin like that...the whole things needs re-casting.
Oh pooh. Safire's right. The hell with it!
One of the prime rules for any type of writing is : "Don't confuse the reader."
Now, today's question is : does "least worst," used in this context, confuse the reader?