Sometimes it’s tough telling things apart, like twins or paper clips. Unfortunately it seems that while at Annapolis, John McCain didn’t learn much when it comes to geography or diplomacy, though one can hardly fault the Naval Academy as the proud republican screw-up has boasted of his position as one of the five worst students at Annapolis. This week in a state of confusion (attributable to ignorance, senility, or both) McCain conflated Spain with South America and implied his suspicion of the country.

According to TIME:

During an interview in Miami earlier this week with Spanish-language station Union Radio, a reporter asked McCain whether, if elected, he would receive Zapatero in the White House. McCain answered, "Honestly, I have to analyze our relationships, situations, and priorities, but I can assure you that I will establish closer relationships with our friends, and I will stand up to those who want to harm the United States."

Ouch. The question about Zapatero, clearly framed by the reporter as a question about Spain, came after inquiries on Venezuela, Bolivia, and Cuba. As a result, much of the Spanish press has decided that the Republican candidate, who hails himself as the experienced foreign policy choice in this election, confused Spain — a NATO member and key ally in the fight against terrorism — with one of those troublesome Latin American states. That was certainly the interviewer's impression, for she followed up with a gentle reminder that Spain was a country in Europe. As Spanish newspaper El País put it, "In the best-case scenario, [his answer] demonstrates his ignorance with respect to Zapatero."

Somebody buy the guy a map, please! Just because he’s a POW doesn’t mean that McCain is excused from knowing geography. In fact, to simplify matters, let’s slough away the debates and instead have a geography bee between the candidates. That should settle matters quickly.