Okay, the Speaker misspoke on the go-see-the-soldiers business. But can’t we all acknowledge that it has to be annoying to have the usual liberal throng of reporters breathlessly asking you to respond to every glorious morsel that drips from the lips of Johnny Mac?

Worst of all was on “Today,” which excused its latest McCain interview by hammering Hastert as the one who breaks Ronald Reagan’s 11th commandment about not speaking ill of another Republican? That is McCain’s daily M.O., and he’s playing the victim, the loyal party man?

Eek.