Just to clarify how to figure out what is the correct version of Python for your version of Blender. When you start Blender the first line in the console window will say:
Compiled with Python version 2.x.x (where the x’s will vary between versions and Operating Systems).
(official Windows Blender 2.48a will say version 2.5.2) that’s the full version you should download from www.python.org.
The next choice is which OS you’re running Windows, Mac, Linux etc. to select the correct installer.
I originally downloaded version 2.6 because that was the latest version, but it makes sense to use version 2.5.2 since that’s the version that Blender 2.48 (the latest version of Blender) says it’s compiled with when it starts up.