John McCain refused to take any guff off a New York Times reporter today. The reporter, on McCain's campaign plane, asked him a question he had already answered at a campaign stop in Atlanta. The question was on whether John McCain had ever talked with Sen. John Kerry about being his running mate back in 2004. In his response, McCain made it clear he believes the reporter already knew the answer to that question and saw no point in answering it again:

The liberal media is reporting this non-event breathlessly, as if McCain had done something terrible here. Actually, McCain is refreshing in calling out a reporter (a New York Times reporter) for just wasting everyone's time by asking a question he had already answered many times in the past, a question he believes the reporter already knew the answer to. Americans despise the press for these very kinds of tactics, and will be glad to have a President who refuses to take any guff off of them.

By the way: McCain made it clear he categorically turned John Kerry down in 2004, and , in answer to a question today, said he would not consider Kerry as a running mate!

UPDATE: Here is Ed Morrissey's outstanding take on this latest NYT attempt to hurt John McCain:

I agree with Michelle about learning a lesson in dealing with the mainstream media. Obviously Elizabeth Bumiller wanted to trip his circuits; she pulls out a story in 2004 about the invitation from John Kerry to join his ticket, hoping to get a reaction. She’s not looking out for his best interests, quite obviously, but trying to be deliberately provocative. After all, wouldn’t that be a question to ask before he had sewn up the nomination?

But his reaction seems rather mild, under the circumstances. He’s annoyed, sure, but hardly spitting and cursing. By the time she asks “Why are you so angry?”, the question is so inappropriate that he asks her to repeat it — and she declines, hopefully out of embarrassment.

Interestingly, the Times now has tried twice to get his goat, and for the second time, they’ve wound up with egg on their face.