We just read this article from the Greenville News and a couple things jumped out at us:

1.  Arizona Sen. John McCain said in Greenville this morning that a definite pullout date for American troops in Iraq could force current college students to fight in an “international crisis.”

Then why the heck are both John McCain and Lindsey Graham missing the troop withdrawal vote today?

2. Asked by GreenvilleOnline.com this morning if he could do without the area’s ultra conservative vote, McCain said, “I don’t know who that might be,” then deferred to U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, who he jokingly called the most popular politician in the state.

Uh-oh!  The Shot remembers just a few weeks back Richard Quinn saying that Henry McMaster is the most popular politician in the state.  Is there a popularity war brewing? 

3. Graham downplayed the importance of Saturday’s straw poll, noting that Chicago businessman John Cox had won three in a row coming into Greenville.

What?  With all due respect Senator, Cox won one straw poll - Aiken.  Truthfully Senator, there’s no reason to exaggerate.  That one straw poll was the only example you really need.

4. The display of love between the two senators wasn’t complete.

McCain reiterated to reporters that he thought U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzalez should resign, then, when asked who should replace him, he said, “Lindsey Graham.”Graham blushed noticeably.

Okay, what’s the freakier?  “The love between the two senators,” the blushing, Graham as AG, or the thought of an open Senate seat in the midst of the SC presidential primary.  Oh, we like that last one a whole lot! 

5. McCain was joined on the platform by his wife, Cindy, as well as Graham, state Attorney General Henry McMaster and Speaker of the House Bobby Harrell.

Seriously, what is Harrell doing?  Everyone knows that the SC McCain campaign is the building of the McMaster for Governor team.  You would think that Walker, Haskins, and Henry being over there would be enough of a clue.  Why is Harrell helping?  Is it that whole “keep your friends close and your enemies closer” thing?

6. Asked by a reporter if he thought the Confederate flag flown on Statehouse grounds is still an issue, McCain curtly replied, “I think for most South Carolinians this issue has been pretty well resolved.”

Eww…don’t tell Brad Warthen that.  His editorial this weekend was “Everyone thinks the flag’s an issue except those who can act on it.” Obviously we all know that this is John McCain’s continued BS on the issue.  Just a few weeks ago he said that the flag is a “A very offensive symbol to many, many Americans.”  We guess he’s excluding “most South Carolinians” from “many, many Americans.”