John McCain didn't mean to throw shade at Mitt Romney in his interview with Politico today: his point was that he saw Romney's mysterious tax returns when he vetted him for VP back in 2008. But what most people seem to be taking away from the interview is his explanation of why he chose Sarah Palin over Romney — "Because we thought that Sarah Palin was the better candidate."

Yes, Sarah Palin, as seen in HBO's Game Change. And naturally McCain would say that, because this is politics and not The Apprentice, so he can't throw Palin under the bus. Still, it makes for a good soundbite for the anti-Romney crowd to latch onto. Sarah Palin: more electable than Mitt Romney.

McCain, who didn't mince words with the Politico reporter, was annoyed by the question.

Why did we not take [Tim] Pawlenty, why did we not take any of the other 10 other people. Why didn't I? Because we had a better candidate, the same way with all the others. ... Come on, why? That's a stupid question.

And that's how you hurt a reporter's feelings.

Later on, McCain also chastised people in the media for taking his quote out of context, clarifying that, "I have the highest respect for Governor Romney and his record of public service, and he will make an outstanding president."

McCain would really hate this post.

[Image via AP]