On the disparity between Viagra v. Birth Control, the Straight Talker said "I certainly do not want to discuss that issue"

Joe Sudbay (DC), AmericaBlog.com: McCain and reporters usually have such fun on the Straight Talk Express -- as long as no one asks a difficult question. Someone broke the rules today and asked John McCain about a controversial issue raised by his top adviser, Carly Fiorina -- the different treatment by health insurers of Viagra, which is a benefit, and birth control, which isn't:

Maeve Reston of the Los Angeles Times, the pool reporter on the bus, asked McCain about comments advisor Carly Fiorina made earlier this week, calling it unfair that insurance companies cover Viagra but not birth control.

"I certainly do not want to discuss that issue," McCain said to nervous laughter, according to the pool report. He went on to say he did not know what he voted for on the issue.

"I'll look at my voting record on it," he said, before an extended pause. "I don't recall the vote right now. But I'll be glad to look at it and get back to you as to why."

Surely, Ms. Reston will be banned from the Straight Talk Express -- and none of the other reporters will talk to her anymore.

McCain may not know his record, but neither does Fiorina. They can, however, both read about it in the San Francisco Chronicle:

Nancy Keenan, president of NARAL Pro-Choice America, the nation's leading abortion and reproductive rights group, told The Chronicle that she sent Fiorina a copy of McCain's voting record on women's health issues this week after Fiorina publicly misrepresented McCain's positions.

Fiorina made the comments - reported by the Washington Post - during a speech about women and health insurance, in which she argued that "many health insurance plans cover Viagra but won't cover birth-control medication. Those women would like a choice."

Keenan said a McCain presidency would offer women no such choice. "Obviously, she doesn't know his record," she said. "He really did vote against a proposal that would have required insurance companies" to cover prescription contraception in the same way they pay for Viagra.

So, McCain doesn't know his own record and doesn't talk about this issue -- and Fiorina got McCain's record wrong. Not such Straight Talkers after all.

Blogger's Comment: Then McCain yelled, "Donuts with Sprinkles for everyone!" They all laughed and ate their donuts and forgot all about it.