Gov. Sarah Palin (WDCpix)

The stunning run of leaks against Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin from the anonymous ranks of McCain campaign aides has finally elicited a response in kind. Members of the Palin entourage, who, while stunningly garbed in Dolce, would not allow their names to be used, have fired back against charges that Palin didn’t know Africa was a continent nor the names of the members of the North American Free Trade Association.

Sen. John McCain, several of these sources now confide, could not tell the difference between a coho and a chinook salmon, even when they were plainly broiled with no sauce. In addition, angry Palin aides charge, he has no idea of the location of the Tlingit Indian reservation, nor any idea how, when or why the Eagle Dance is performed.

McCain, Palin confidantes also charge, while their Franck Muller watches sparkle in the light, is absolutely clueless as to the route of the world-famous Iditarod sled-dog race.

Chinook salmon (Flickr: mgjefferies)

Palin had not been aware of McCain’s near-complete ignorance of basic Alaskan subjects before she agreed to sign on to his campaign, these sources tell people they meet, and had she known, she would have demanded even more expensive clothes to compensate for the embarrassment.

Harry Shearer is the host of the weekly radio show “Le Show,” the co-writer of “This Is Spinal Tap” and a musician and actor. His new album is “Songs of the Bushmen.”