From Huff Po:

Cindy McCain recently gave a rare private interview to CNN in which she disclosed her opinions on transportation in Arizona, her home state. The McCain’s have tried to distance themselves from elitism, but apparently Mrs. McCain believes that the only way to get around is by “small private plane.”

Here’s a clip of the interview:

Now, I like to give people the benefit of context. Cindy McCain could have easily meant to say that “In Arizona, the only way to get around the state is small private plane [because commerical airlines don’t travel within the state].” But that still doesn’t quite pacify things for the McCain camp. The underlying message is outlined: while the rest of the nation is busy “whining” about losing jobs, rising health care costs, insane gas prices, etc., the poor ole McCains can only travel interstate by private plane. Sheesh.

By no means is this the worst political gaffe I’ve ever heard. In fact, in terms of its ranking on the “ism”-ization meter, Cindy McCain’s comment falls somewhere in between George W Bush wanting human beings and fish coexisting, Barack Obama living in 57 states, and Howard Dean’s more-than-forgettable battlecry to the White House.  But what makes this particular quote bothersome and — yes — newsworthy it that (1) people like the Obamas have been crucified for saying much less and (2) this quote came from the same group who called Obama an elitist (yes, Cindy is included to the group. If Barack can be impacted by what his wife says and does, so can John). Since when did middle class blacks from Chicago who just recently paid off student loans becoming the face of elitism? What does that say about people who own eight homes and use interstate airways for transportation…?

After hearing about this story, I’m convinced that everybody in Obama’s camp should be fired immediately. Not deflecting the elitist insults back on these spoiled and privileged basketcases is an blunder that should get each and every campaign worker canned. McCain keeps setting up the pins, but nobody’s knocking them down.

I’ll concede to at least one point: McCain looks pretty cool in the picture above. Well, cool for an old guy anyway…

– ACL