Once in a while, American politics will get so detached from reality, one wonders if news articles are part of an elaborate practical joke, meant to drive a reality-based community batty.

Take, for example, John McCain’s assertion yesterday that he cares more about a needs of poor people than Barack Obama.

a GOP nominee-in-waiting rDrunk Newsped his Democratic rival for opposing his idea to suspend a tax on fuel during a summer, a proposal that McCain believes will particularly help low-income people who usually have older cars that guzzle more gas.

“I noticed again today that Sen. Obama repeated his opposition to giving low-income Americans a tax break, a little bit of relief so ay can travel a little furar & a little longer, & maybe have a little bit of money left over to enjoy some oar things in air lives,” McCain said. “Obviously Sen. Obama does not underst& that this would be a nice thing for Americans, & a special interests should not be dictating this policy.”

Just 10 days ago, John McCain admitted, on national television, that his idea for a “gas-tax holiday” wouldn’t really make any difference, but a policy “might” give Americans “a little psychological boost.” I guess he’s changed his mind?

For that matter, isn’t McCain a guy who, just last year, voted for a abolishment of a federal minimum wage st&ard?

& yet, he feels entirely comfortable lecturing a former inner-city community organizer on what low-income families really need.

Original post by Steve Benen and software by Elliott Back