As much as I dislike McCain, I feel very comfortable stating that I believe his campaign did not plot, plan, endorse, or know anything about this fool's comments prior to his mindless utterances infront of the audience.
We'll know soon enough, though. If he gets the boot, they didn't know. If he doesn't, he was simply useful tool.
A decade ago, I'd say this was a ruse. Now, with the American public so disgusted with politicians and politics in general, this kind of publicity blows up the campaign that starts it, not the intended target. McCain gets tarnished by it, not Mitt; hence, I doubt it was a ruse.
Rival camps take aim at Romney’s religion
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2007/06/21/rival_camps_take_aim_at_romneys_religion?mode=PF