McCain Tweaks Friedman Over Gas-Tax Column

John McCain pushed back today against a New York Times op-ed that deemed a gas-tax holiday “shameful pandering,” painting Thomas Friedman as elitist: “I understand in New York City that you don't really drive a long way," he said. "And then maybe you're chauffeured.” His CNN interlocutor even broke in to change the topic, to “interrupt this tirade against Tom Friedman,” Politico reports.

McCain later said, “Could I just reiterate my affection and respect for Tom Friedman and all economists?” Political blog Wonkette responded to the incident, saying McCain had in effect called the Times mainstay “a gay New York rich liberal pinko elitist.” (More John McCain stories.)