TPM Reader EM ...

Enough. John McCain should not get a free pass on this one. On a cynical level, can you imagine if this had been said by either Obama, Biden--or for that matter, Palin?

I'm astonished by the amount of rationalizing and excuses being put out there on this "gaffe." Yeah, I suppose the possibility of being confused by the line of questioning, the accent is plausible for you and me but for the potential POTUS--I don't think so. Furthermore, Spain was attacked by the same terrorist group that orchestrated 9/11. Does pulling the troops out of Iraq trump that? Honestly? Our relationship with this European ally is that precarious.

Scheunemann ratcheted up the bravado. I say we call them on it. He and his campaign have reminded us time and time again of his foreign expertise compared to Obama's. McCain needs to explain.