Democratic power broker James Johnson did not abruptly resign from vetting Democratic vice presidential prospects but was forced out by Sen. Barack Obama's campaign.
The multimillionaire Johnson was targeted by the McCain campaign for an allegedly sweetheart loan from an endangered mortgage banker for continuing as a paid consultant for the government-backed Federal National Mortgage Association, which he previously headed.
A footnote: The McCain campaign immediately turned its fire against another Obama vetter, former Deputy Attorney General Eric Holder, because of his role in then-President Bill Clinton's pardon of his fugitive political contributor Marc Rich. So far, however, the news media have shown no interest.
CRUMBLING CRIST
Florida Gov. Charlie Crist did not help his ambition to be John McCain's vice presidential running mate when he delivered a Flag Day speech to a conservative audience in Orange County, Calif., and praised California's Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.
"Your governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, is a doing a great job. I love him," Crist declared. That generated groans from faithful Republicans unhappy over their governor's turn to the left.
Crist also blundered during his nine-minute talk by saying that Ronald Reagan "came from right here in Orange County, Calif." Actually, Reagan never lived in Orange County and was a resident of Pacific Palisades in Los Angeles County when elected governor in 1966.