Earl Long, the one-time governor of Louisiana, was once asked by an aide what his supporters should be told about his failure to keep a campaign promise. "Tell 'em I lied," Long said. Today, as their old positions are re-litigated, pols from Ron Paul to Newt Gingrich admit to nothing except "I didn't write it ... and I never believed it." Don't buy it/Marc Johnson, The Johnson Report. More here.

Question: Which attempt by a political candidate to distance him/herself from an earlier statement bugs you most?