As he launched his first presidential run nine years ago, John McCain in December 1999 said of the Keating Five scandal that nearly ended his career, "The fact is, it was the wrong thing to do, and it will be on my tombstone and deservedly so." But as he made clear on Meet the Press this morning, the man who pompously claimed he put "country first" has apparently revised his epitaph. The two-word inscription memorializing his political career now reads, "Sarah Palin."

On the same day the Washington Times announced that the quittah from Wasilla "plans to jump immediately back into the national political fray," McCain insisted he was right to put her there in the first place. Defending his choice of Palin even in the wake of devastating revelations from his own staff documented by Todd Purdum, Dan Balz and others, McCain told NBC's David Gregory Palin was not a quitter. As ThinkProgress highlighted the exchange:

GREGORY: Senator McCain, you have faced personal torture, personal attacks, political attacks, investigations. You have never resigned from anything. Is it consistent with your qualities of leadership to resign an elected post like this?
McCAIN: Sure.
GREGORY: It is consistent?

Already in a deep hole, John McCain was not done digging:

McCain said, "I know she's qualified...No doubt about it." He added, "I'm confident she would make a fine president." Gregory concluded by asking, "Knowing everything you know now, would you pick her again?" McCain unhesitatingly responded, "Absolutely."

Of course, for man who repeatedly cited eBay as the cure for economy and forgot how many homes he owns, his public intransigence on his Palin pick is unsurprising. On Election Day, 60% of Americans surveyed in exit polls deemed Palin not qualified to be President of the United States. And just this week, Republican water carrier and former Reagan speechwriter Peggy Noonan made clear she does not believe Sarah Palin will slip the surly bonds of Alaska to touch the face of the White House, simply deeming the soon-to-be former Governor, "horrifying."
And that should be horrifying to John McCain. After all, it looks like "Sarah Palin" will be on his tombstone. And deservedly so.