Rarely is the Question Asked: Is Our Republican Candidates Learning?

From a campaign ad released two days ago:

Our economy in crisis. Only proven reformers John McCain and Sarah Palin can fix it.

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Hmmm … let's go to the Google.

John McCain, June 2003:

I have a long voting record in support of deregulation.

John McCain, August 2004:

I'm with him [George W. Bush] on a number of issues — free trade, for example, and ardent free trade, and deregulation and many others.

John McCain, May 2007:

You are interviewing the greatest free trader you will ever interview, and the greatest deregulator you will ever interview.

John McCain, March 2008:

I'm always for less regulation. I'd like to see a lot of the unnecessary government regulations eliminated.

John McCain, later that same month:

Our financial market approach should include encouraging increased capital in financial institutions by removing regulatory, accounting and tax impediments to raising capital.

John McCain, today:

We should never again allow the United States to be in this position. We need strong and effective regulation …

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Thanks to Oliver Willis for the hint.
Oh, and regarding that title …