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Dude, first you lost ABC, and now you've lost FOX News, as evidenced by this testy segment with Shepard Smith yesterday. That's just gotta smart for a Republican when the official water carrier for the Republican Party openly chastises you for keeping the press away from Sarah Palin during her crash course in getting the appearance of foreign policy gravitas via photo ops.

The campaign had never intended to actually let the press pool into Palin's sessions with Afghan President Hamid Karzai and Colombian President Alvaro Uribe, but Palin's aides indicated last night that designated reporters would be able to watch the Alaska governor greet the visiting dignitaries before heading into a closed-door session. Palin is also meeting with former secretary of state Henry Kissinger later today, where the same rules would apply.

This morning the campaign shifted course and said no print reporters would be welcome at the outset of the meetings, though a foreign policy aide might brief the print media later today. Cameras, however, would remain free to capture Palin's entry onto the world stage.

Does the McCain campaign actually think that a photo of Palin with world leaders (because you know that at best they exchanged a few inane niceties, nothing that could be considered substantive) will actually obviate the charge of being a lightweight on foreign policy? Clearly the answer is 'yes', but considering the press reaction, this could backfire on him big time.

Couldn't happen to a more deserving campaign.