Given the current state of the McCain/Palin campaign (it’s crashing) — and the horrible state of the economy (it’s crashing) — you have to know some major distraction is in the pipeline from the GOP. McCain has to do something to change the subject. So, expect some vintage Rovian trick. But, this one will have to be extra ugly.

This poses a real challenge for the traditional media. The political reporters know they get played by the GOP over and over. (Read Eric Boelhert to more fully understand this.) So, the question is whether the campaign reporters continue to cover the real issues — like the horrible state of the economy — or whether they take the bait and cover whatever new ridiculous lie John McCain comes up with. The safe bet is that the reporters will fall for the GOP distractions AGAIN. McCain and Palin are counting on the press being gullible. And, they have good reason. The press corps always falls for it. (Think Mrs. Greenspan, Candy Crowley and all of FOX News)

And, we know that Chris Cillizza, the self-described Drudge-ologist, will do whatever Drudge tells him to do. It’s actually pathetic how gullible Cillizza is. The Washington Post editors really need to read Cillizza’s Drudge column paean and think about just exactly what it is they get from “The Fix” if “The Fix” just regurgitates Drudge.

In any case, possibly as soon as tomorrow, McCain’s going into Red Alert distraction mode. You’ve been warned.