The McCain campaign is promising threatening legal action against the National Enquirer for their claim that Palin had an affair.

(Image courtesy of Mark Pasetsky’s Cover Awards)

Here’s the McCain statement:

“The smearing of the Palin family must end. The allegations contained on the cover of the National Enquirer insinuating that Gov. Palin had an extramarital affair are categorically false. It is a vicious lie,” said McCain senior adviser Steve Schmidt.

“The efforts of the media and tabloids to destroy this fine and accomplished public servant are a disgrace. The American people will reject it…”

“Sen. McCain and Gov. Palin look forward to discussing the issues that Americans care about, fixing broken government, creating jobs, making our country energy independent and securing the peace for the next generation by bringing the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to a victorious end,” said Schmidt.

“Legal action will be considered with regard to this disgraceful smear.”

So that’s a bit of a brain-teaser. The Enquirer has newfound clout among the “legit” press because they were right about the Edwards story. But one of the ways you could tell they were right was that, in a story chock-full of trial lawyers, not one of them threatened to sue. (Well, except Lee Rohn, I think. Anybody know if anything became of that?)

Also, Edwards has never specifically denied any of the Enquirer stories. He said stuff like, “No comment, those rags are just full of trash.” And that was a day or two later, when somebody finally worked up the courage to mention it to him.

Whereas this is a forceful, specific, not to mention immediate denial. McCain isn’t putting Palin on an express private-jet flight to St. Croix. He’s vowing to fight. I’d say something like, “This could get interesting,” but is there any doubt?

Oh, and I think she’s giving a speech tonight? Let me double-check on that…

That’s my snap judgment, at least, without having read the Enquirer story yet. Now grab your torches and pitchforks, kids, and let’s hit the comments!

9/6 Update: You can read the entire text of the story here. In my opinion it does not rise to the level of well-sourced factual detail in their Edwards stories, but I’m sure somebody will have a problem with that. My theory: The Enquirer got cocky.