Remember that time when Obama was insufferably smug about how McCain asserted that Iran funds Sunni terrorist groups? He really went all out. Because in what universe could Iran ever fund Sunni terrorist groups? And remember how the press gleefully piled on? They got a huge kick out of it. Because who could be so stupid as to imagine that Iran would ever fund a Sunni terrorist group? I mean, really?

Hey, remind me again - is Hamas a Sunni or Shiite terrorist group:

OBAMA: Well, let me just correct something very quickly. I believe the Republican Guard of Iran is a terrorist organization. I've consistently said so. What Senator McCain refers to is a measure in the Senate that would try to broaden the mandate inside of Iraq. To deal with Iran. And ironically, the single thing that has strengthened Iran over the last several years has been the war in Iraq. Iraq was Iran's mortal enemy. That was cleared away. And what we've seen over the last several years is Iran's influence grow. They have funded Hezbollah, they have funded Hamas, they have gone from zero centrifuges to 4,000 centrifuges to develop a nuclear weapon.

Just to be clear: he's not wrong. Just really, really intellectually dishonest.

References:
* Obama tweaks McCain for Sunni/Shiite gaffe, draws Saltergram [Politico]
* Obama belittles McCain for confusing Shi'ite and Sunni extremists [Ha'aretz]
* MCCAIN'S SUNNI-SHIITE FAUX PAS [First Read]
* Iran's Helping Sunnis Or Shiites? [Ambinder]
* Transcript of presidential debate [CNN]
* Hezbollah Outreach To "Sunnis Who Are Loyal To Hezbollah" Not So Kind To Expert Expertise Of Foreign Policy Experts Who Deny Sunni-Shiite Cooperation [MR]

Previously:
* Obama's Sophistication Is Actually Kind Of Unsophisticated, Incoherent
* Leftist Sophistication Watch: Shiites And Sunnis Do Work Together, Iran Admits Funneling Money To Hamas
* Diplomatic Sophistication Heartbreak: Tension Between Iranian Political Factions A Little Exaggerated