I told you US News & World Report would not be alone today, and that other media outlets would play dumb about the latest non-twist in the story.

Enter Politico, which essentially types up an RNC fundraising email from chairman Michael Steele and treats it as news:

Steele, as part of an effort to solicit funds to run ads opposing the president during the televised event, claimed in his email Thursday that ABC has “flatly rejected” the RNC's request to “add our views along side those of the Obama Democrats.”

“What are the Democrats and their media allies afraid of? The truth?” Steele wrote. “That is outrageous! And we will not take it!”

How does Politico play dumb? Like US News, Politico neglects to mention that, like all the nets, ABC has a long-running policy of not running advocacy ads like the kind the RNC supposedly wants to buy during the health care special. Meaning, it's a publicity stunt. The RNC and conservative groups know ABC won't ever run advocacy ads, but they attempt to 'buy' them anyway, and then hope the press plays dumb and treats the charade as news.

Well, congratulations, RNC -- mission accomplished.