Worst. Update. Ever.

From Christopher Beam:

Of course, dotty parents can also be a liability. McCain’s mother embarrassed the campaign in November by vaguely suggesting that Mitt Romney’s work at the Olympics was tainted by his Mormonism.

But in general, introducing your mom can only help. Barack Obama, whose family life has been more complicated that most other candidates', has yet to bring his mother out on the trail. If he makes it to the general, the people will no doubt want to meet the parent.

UPDATE 1:59 p.m.: Scratch that last part. Obama's mother, Stanley Ann Dunham, died of cancer in 1995.