I never expected the Spanish Inquistion

I've heard of sticking safely to the security of a scripted answer, but I think John McCain's become a bit deranged by a fear that he'll say something he shouldn't (like, "the basics of our economy are strong").

But that obsession seems to have worked against him in a recent interview with Spanish-language Florida television, where McCain seems to equate José Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, who happens to be a Socialist (not such an unusual, or repulsive thing in Europe), with conservative foes like Hugo Chavez.

McCain demonstrates his ability to alienate allies is on a par with George Bush.

BTW, you've got to love Time Magazine's headline: The Pain In Spain Falls Mainly on McCain.