"What we did was perfectly legal and appropriate." That’s John McCain rationalizing his use of Cindy McCain's corporate jet for a fraction of the cost rate after having argued in favor of limiting senators’ use of corporate jets in last year’s ethics reform debate.

Remind you of anything? How about "There is no controlling legal authority that says this was in violation of law." Al Gore in 1997, describing the fundraising phone calls he made from the White House. Gore was rightly pilloried for his comments, which instantly entered the pantheon of classic evasions of responsibility – not far removed from "mistakes were made."

Virtuous reformer John McCain's ill considered remark deservedly should suffer a similarly ignominious fate.

McCain's use of his wife's corporate jet is just another reason we need a functioning FEC. Get the FEC back in action – Go to CREW's new website today at FixtheFEC.org.