by NPR Political Unit

Another interesting nugget from McCain's stump speech today in Iowa:

"The Chairman of the SEC serves at the appointment of the president and in my view has betrayed the public's trust...If I were president today, I would fire him."

President Bush appointed Christopher Cox as Chairman of the SEC in 2005. Reuters reports that the Bush Administration still has faith in their pick.

— Thomas Pierce

UPDATE: Commenter f is correct. Should McCain become president, he would not have the power to literally fire the SEC Chairman. However, as the folks over at ABC are reporting, he could "attempt to exert political pressure to force the resignations of commissioners" of such agencies.

But I have a feeling we're not going to hear McCain say, If I were president today, I would lean on him until he resigns.

UPDATE: Speaking in New Mexico this afternoon, Obama looked to one-up McCain's promise to fire the SEC Chairman:

I think that's all fine and good, but here's what I say. In the next 47 days, you can fire the whole trickle-down, on-your-own, look-the-other-way crowd...