McCain: Something Is Wrong

No serious, alert candidate could be caught in an obvious untruth like this:

Republican presidential candidate John McCain said Friday running mate Sarah Palin has never asked for money for lawmakers' pet projects as Alaska governor when in fact she has sought nearly $200 million in earmarks this year.

There are two possibilities. 1. He's lying, regardless of the consequences. 2. He really hasn't been briefed or cannot retain the briefing or is simply in denial about the facts. Are his staff telling him? Are they afraid because they didn't vet the candidate and are now allowing him to say things about her in public that are debunkable by one Google search? Even the Fournier-controlled AP cannot deny it:

"When pressed about Palin's record of requesting and accepting such money for Alaska, McCain ignored the record and said: "Not as governor she didn't."

If I had to guess, I have enough residual shreds of fondness for the old McCain to believe 2. You can draw whatever conclusions you may.