The Gist

Tightening the Hinges

So Charlie Crist is engaged suddenly -- after 30 years of "bachelorhood" -- and just when he's looking to be John McCain's running mate and trying to throw cold water on all of those pesky gay rumors. I'm sure we're only moments away from the release of the sex tape supposedly proving that Charlie and Carole Rome, his girlfriend (previously described as a "friend") of nine months, actually get it on.

Does John McCain's campaign really think that just tightening the hinges a bit on Charlie's closet door is going keep his past from coming out? In this media and Internet environment? During a presidential election? If so, then they are as clueless as many fretting Republicans seem to believe.