McCain does not know where Spain is

Grand Rapids (Michigan, US), Sept.19 : Republican presidential candidate Senator John McCain showed some confusion Wednesday night about the identity of the Prime Minister of Spain and exactly where that country of 40 million people is located.

According to the New York Daily News, McCain was asked during an interview whether he would he invite Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero to the White House after becoming president.

"I would be willing to meet with those leaders who are friends and want to work with us in a cooperative fashion," McCain said.

He then mentioned Mexican President Calderon, who he said "is fighting a very tough fight against the drug cartels."

When the reporter repeated that he was talking about Spain, McCain responded: "I know the issues, I know the leaders."

Asked again if he would invite Zapatero, McCain shot back: "All I can tell you is that I have a clear record of working with leaders in the hemisphere that are friends with us and standing up to those who are not and that's judged on the basis of the importance of our relationship with Latin America and the entire region."

McCain's team insisted the candidate knew they were discussing the socialist leader of Spain.

Spain is a longtime NATO ally, has nearly 1,000 soldiers fighting with the U.S. in Afghanistan, and was the target one of the worst Al Qaeda attacks in 2004.

It is also happens to be located in Europe, not the Western Hemisphere - and Zapatero is no johnny-come-lately: He's been in office for four years.

ANI