By Yael T. Abouhalkah, Kansas City Star Editorial Page columnist

He's wrong. Again. John McCain repeated his call Thursday in Kansas City for a gas-tax holiday. It's a stupid idea that would disrupt road projects and give Big Oil another chance to sock it to consumers.

McCain wants to suspend the 18.4 cent federal tax on gasoline and diesel fuel. Why? It would save Americans millions of dollars, he claims.

No, it really wouldn't.

The money "saved" would lead to a large cut in federal funds for road repairs across America -- repairs that prevent costly damage to vehicles by smoothing out streets, for example.

In addition, it's likely that the oil companies would simply boost their prices at the pump to offset the reduction in the federal gas tax.

While in Kansas City, McCain sniffed that road construction projects are "the most pork barrel-laden aspect of everything we do" in Congress.

While McCain is undeniably correct that some road projects aren't needed, he and Congress don't have a priority list of what would happen if a gas-tax holiday occurs.

In other words, good and bad projects alike would be hurt if a gas-tax holiday becomes law.

Which, by the way, doesn't appear likely, given the antipathy shown to it by a large number of congressmen and women.