McCain, it's Plain, knows nothing about Spain

Um what? I know I'm a bit of a Hispano-centrist when it comes to Europe (it is a magnificent country that I called home for five months), but I think it's pretty important to a) know who the Prime Minister is and b) know that Spain is located in Europe and not Latin America, especially if you are trying to become, oh, the PoUSA.

Talking Points Memo has this story as its front page and Huffington Post has a pretty comprehensive explanation. But basically, in an interview with a Spanish news outlet, John McCain answered questions about meeting with Jose Luis Zapatero, the Spanish Prime Minister, as if he were talking about Hugo Chavez. Here are the excerpts in question (from TPM):

"In case, you haven't seen our updates from last night, yesterday John McCain was interviewed on the Florida affiliate of Spanish radio network Union Radio. And in the interview McCain appeared not to know who the Prime Minister of Spain was and assumed he was some anti-American leftist leader from South America.

After the interviewer presses him a couple times on the point and tries to focus him on the fact that Prime Minister Zapatero isn't from Mexico and isn't a drug lord either McCain comes back at her saying, "All I can tell you is that I have a clear record of working with leaders in the Hemisphere that are friends with us and standing up to those who are not. And that's judged on the basis of the importance of our relationship with Latin America and the entire region."

Then there's a moment of awkward pause before she says. "But what about Europe? I'm talking about the President of Spain."

McCain: "What about me, what?

Interviewer: "Are you willing to meet with him if you're elected president?"

McCain: "I am wiling to meet with any leader who is dedicated to the same principles and philosophy that we are for humans rights, democracy and freedom. And I will stand up to those who do not."

At this point, the interviewer gets tongue-tied presumably because she can't get over McCain not knowing what Spain is."

Read the articles on TPM and HuffPo for analysis of what McCain was doing; some speculate he was just clueless, while others say he sees Spain as an adversary after they pulled troops out of Iraq in 2004.

I just can't wait to read the El Pais to see what they have to say. The Spanish are proud; this insult will not sit well with them.