I could have told John McCain that it was idiocy and foolishness of the highest order to condescend to Oliver Clark, a young questioner who asked him about the financial crisis early in Tuesday's debate in Nashville. "You probably never heard of Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac before this," McCain replied, apparently adding psychic powers to the menu of accomplishments and skills he offers the American people. Except... not. In a posting on his Facebook page, which includes a fascinating account of being chosen to take part in the debate, Clark mentions that he has a bachelor's degree in political science, a master's degree in legal studies and a few years in law school and is currently pursuing a masters in public administration at the University of Memphis. ("I like to think of myself as a fairly intelligent person," he says.) So, yes, he had heard of the mortgage giants before they started imploding. In fact it wouldn't be an enormous surprise if he knows more about the economy than John McCain.
UPDATE: Oliver Willis expresses similar sentiments of Oliver solidarity.
