"Good Morning America" did some sneaky editing this morning in preparation for Diane Sawyer’s interview with Sen. John McCain.

During the duo’s conversation, ABC played a sound bite that joined together two separate Rush Limbaugh comments made five days apart. The edited comment made it sound like the outspoken Republican radio host wants President Barack Obama to fail because he’s black. The first three sentences — "I don’t need 400 words. I need four. I hope he fails." — came from Limbaugh’s January 16 radio program, while the proceeding remarks — "We are being told that we have to hope he succeeds. Because his father was black. Because this is the first black president. We’ve got to accept this." — came from Limbaugh’s January 21 appearance on Fox’s Sean Hannity TV show.

Watch by clicking here.

Here’s the ABC version of Limbaugh’s comment (via Newsbuster.org):

SAWYER: Another big issue in the news and out there on the internet, of course, is Rush Limbaugh who basically says that Republicans have got to take sides and here was the question that he posed. Here is the challenge he posed.
RUSH LIMBAUGH: [From radio] I don’t need 400 words. I need four. I hope he fails. [From Fox News interview.] We are being told that we have to hope he succeeds. Because his father was black. Because this is the first black president. We’ve got to accept this.
SAWYER: So he says he hopes the Obama presidency fails. What do you say to Rush Limbaugh?
MCCAIN: I hope that all of us as Americans can succeed in getting a package that will get this economy going, put millions of people back into jobs again and that we can all work together to do so without betraying our fundamental principles of our Republican Party, which is lower taxes, spending under control, fiscal responsibility and a high regard for the taxpayers’ dollars.
SAWYER: One more try here. But, do you hope the president succeeds?
MCCAIN: I hope we all succeed working together. That’s what the American people want us to do and if the President gets the credit for it, fine. I’ll give it to him. What I want to do is work to get this country back on its feet again. This is terrible, Diane. I don’t have to tell you or anybody watching how tough this situation is. That’s when we have to act together.
SAWYER: Are you offended by what he said?
MCCAIN: Oh, listen, I think the important thing for us to do right now is to sit down and work together. Mr. Limbaugh is entitled to his opinion. I respect it as I do many other commentators on the issues of the day.
SAWYER: And before we let you go, can’t help but note it is great to have you back with us. I just wonder now looking back at the campaign, what’s the last thought you had about the race for the presidency?
MCCAIN: That I was proud of the campaign we ran. I lost to a very good candidate and I wish him every success because we need leadership now that the American people can get behind and two wars, tough economy And I’m proud of the campaign we ran and I’m sure we made many mistakes, Diane. But I’m proud of the people that supported us and the way we conducted the campaign and I’m honored and humbled to have had the opportunity to compete for the presidency of the greatest nation in the world.
SAWYER: Thank you, Senator McCain. Come often.

McCain — through all the prodding — came through as a true patriot. 

Click here for Limabaugh’s January 16 "I Hope Obama Fails" transcript.

Click here for Fox’s Janaury 21 Sean Hannity appearance transcript.