Senator John McCain must have been also asleep during the briefings and discussions about Iran, for Senator John McCain outright denies the power of the Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and does not seem to realize the staged nature of Iran elections. Remember Senator John McCain is basing his claim to be president on his foreign power expertise. Does Senator John McCain sound like an expert on Iran here?

KLEIN: I've done some research, and um -

MCCAIN: I have too.

KLEIN: Also checked, also checked with the Obama campaign and he never, he's never sai -- mentioned Ahmadinejad directly by name. He did say he would negotiate with the leaders, but as you know - Ayatollah,

MCCAIN: (Laughing) Ahmadinejad is, was the leader.

KLEIN: But if -

MCCAIN: Maybe I'm mistaken.

KLEIN: Maybe you are, because -

MCCAIN: Maybe. I don't think so though.

KLEIN: The Supreme, you know, according to most diplomatic experts, the Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei is the guy who's in charge of Iranian foreign policy and also in charge of the nuclear program, but you never mention him. Do you, you know, um, why do you always keep talking about Ahmadinejad since he doesn't have power in that, in that realm?

MCCAIN: Oh I thin-Again, I respectfully disagree. When he's the person that comes to the United Nations and declares his country's policy is the extermination of the state of Israel, quote, in his words, wipe them off of the map, then I know that he is speaking for the Iranian government and articulating their policy and he was elected and is running for reelection as the leader of that country. Yes sir, go ahead.

NEW REPORTER: One more quest-

MCCAIN: I mean, the fact is he's the acknowledged leader of that country and you may disagree, but that's a uh, that's your right to do so, but I think if you asked any average American who the leader of Iran is, I think they'd know. Go ahead. Or anyone who's well-versed in the issue.
(video and article available, miasmo at DailyKOS)

In fact, Senator John McCain contradicts what he has said earlier:

"People go in there and meet the moderate foreign minister and the moderates around him, and they fool themselves into thinking the regime will change," said John McCain, R-Ariz., a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. "The religious mullahs will never let them."
(2003 CQ quoted on Democracy Arsenal)

So Senator John McCain could have repeated something similar in the questioning above. And he didn't. I do not see what advantage that it would have been to deliberately lie, especially when one is already on record. So my guess is the Senator John McCain is beginning to forget details.

Just so there is no doubt about the current standing of power in Iran, Democracy Arsenal pointed out that in January this year, Ahmadinejad was overruled by Khamenei, showing who is really still in power:

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad received a rare public rebuke Monday from Iran's supreme leader, a sign Ahmadinejad's power may be declining before crucial parliamentary elections.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who wields ultimate authority in Iran, ordered Ahmadinejad to implement a law that would supply natural gas used to heat remote villages. The issue has become critical during an unusually harsh winter in Iran, and illustrates Ahmadinejad's weakness on domestic policy despite the high profile the anti-American populist has acquired abroad.
(USA Today)

I think media is still covering up for Senator John McCain.

Also, John McCain has a schedule filled with private fundraising luncheons, where you can get a picture with John McCain for $25,000! Hmmmph, if I was going to spend that kind of money on a candidate, I would question him very closely first!