“During the 1990s, while he served as chairman of the International Republican Institute (IRI), McCain distributed several grants to the Palestinian research center co-founded by Khalidi, including one worth half a million dollars.

A 1998 tax filing for the McCain-led group shows a $448,873 grant to Khalidi’s Center for Palestine Research and Studies for work in the West Bank. (See grant number 5180, “West Bank: CPRS” on page 14 of this PDF.)

The relationship extends back as far as 1993, when John McCain joined IRI as chairman in January. Foreign Affairs noted in September of that year that IRI had helped fund several extensive studies in Palestine run by Khalidi’s group, including over 30 public opinion polls and a study of “sociopolitical attitudes.”

It’s a sign of last-minute desperation that the McCain campaign had to launch an attack that was so weak and easily refuted.

You need to add to this post what should be obvious, but isn’t necessarily: that it’s anti-Arab racist claptrap — presumably meant to remind us of Obama’s middle name — to condemn such an affiliation.

Imagine being an Arab in this country these days, much less a Muslim one.