Paul Ryan Satire Piece in Politico Dupes Krugman

Nelson Muntz responds: "Ha ha!"

Memo to the media: Clearly mark political satire, especially if it makes Republicans look bad. Otherwise, you might fool a Nobel prize-winning New York Times columnist.

Columnist Paul Krugman and other commentators were apparently duped Wednesday after Politico ran a satire piece that included what—if true—would have been an inflammatory comment by Republican running mate Paul Ryan. 

Politico took its inspiration from a quote, attributed to a GOP operative, that actually ran in The New York Times. The operative reportedly said that if Ryan ever runs for national office again, "he'll probably have to wash the stench of Romney off of him."