DAN RIEHL: Don’t overplay the Raines/Obama connection.

According to the Washington Post the evidence — which comes from three items in the Washington Post — is “pretty flimsy.” Given the reporting this campaign season, it’s hard to argue . . . .

Some related thoughts from Ed Morrissey. I share both his affection for Howard Kurtz, and his belief that Kurtz is “talking out of his hat.” Plus this: “At worst, McCain relied on undisputed reporting in the Post. I guess Obama is also saying that the Post can’t be trusted.” Really, people seem to be working awfully hard to prove Stuart Taylor right.

Plus, the always-welcome Animal House reference:

In a famous scene from “Animal House” Otter consoles Flounder after his car is ruined by telling him, “You bleeped up. You trusted us.” (If you want to see the uncensored version, go here. It’s at the 1:13 mark.)

Well, that’s what The Washington Post has told the McCain campaign today. Based on more than one assertion by the Post that Franklin Raines, former Fannie Mae head, was an Obama campaign economic adviser, the McCain campaign produced a TV ad saying as much, and criticizing Obama for consorting with a man who took millions out of Fannie Mae while mismanaging it.

In a “Fact Check” piece today, the WaPo essentially says believing us was your first mistake. In an act of monumental chutzpah, the paper adds that McCain is “clearly exaggerating wildly” in the commercial. If that’s so, what was the WaPo doing?

Heh. Really, if you were trying to discredit the traditional media it would be hard to do better than they’ve been doing themselves.

UPDATE: A look at who Franklin Raines donated to.