Top Ten Barack Obama/Joe Biden Gaffes

There's a UK Telegraph article on that subject that's making the rounds of internet comments sections since Barack Obama's Special Olympics gaffe. While I think that 10 gaffes in 4 months isn't such a bad record, I'll share it here anyway, in the interest of fairness. With Biden in the mix, 10 gaffes should be called "a good day's work."

However, I don't want to ship American commentary jobs overseas, and I'm not thrilled with the British press' snotty attitude toward our President's gift-giving, so I will use their list, but with Political Machine's commentary.

#10: Biden Forgets Justice Stevens' name: We didn't actually cover this one here, an indication of just how minor this one is. He mixed up "Stevens" with "Stewart!" Impeach!


#9: Seance Snafu: Obama Apologizes to Reagan :
By Tommy Christopher
Nov 7th 2008 8:02PM

President-Elect Barack Obama called former First Lady Nancy Reagan tonight to apologize for a crack that he made at his first President-Elect-ial press conference today. No word yet on whether Obama will apologize to all of the people who took short odds on Joe Biden to make the first post-election gaffe. Here's the miscue in question:



OK, first things first: you don't get to ask six questions at a time. Not cool. Maybe she injured her right arm not letting go of her turn.

Second of all, Barack Obama obviously needs to create and fill a cabinet level position for a Secretary of One-Liners. If a reporter asked me that, I'd go with, "I'm still waiting to talk to a living reporter," or "Well, can you really call what Bill Clinton does 'Living?' (pause for uncomfortable laughter) I kid Bill, he's a friend."

What I love most, though, is this bit from Ben Smith:

"President-elect Barack Obama called Nancy Reagan today to apologize for the careless and off handed remark he made during today's press conference," said transition spokeswoman Stephanie Cutter. "The President-elect expressed his admiration and affection for Mrs. Reagan that so many Americans share and they had a warm conversation."

He was apparently confusing stories about Reagan's consulting with an astrologer with those about other First Ladies -- from Mary Todd Lincoln to Hillary Clinton -- who tried to make contact with figures from the past.

So,it's a little bit like accusing someone of witchcraft, when they are actually practicing voodoo.

In all seriousness, though, Barack Obama should choose his quips more carefully. He isn't close to accumulating the post-partisan brownie points necessary to josh about the wife of the Republicans' most sacred figure.


#8: Joe Biden Is Aware Of All Internet Traditions
By Caleb Howe
Feb 25th 2009 2:55PM


Just call his website number if you don't believe me:

Heh. It's Recovery.GOV, for the record. Via Redstate and Ace of Spades. Just don't forget, it's McCain who was the luddite. Biden is truly aware of all internet traditions.

Typical Biden bad joke:

HT to Redstate. I don't know if I would characterize Obama's reaction as "icy" but at the very least he looks distinctly unhappy to be seen next to Biden at this awkward moment.

I wouldn't expect to see too many more joint appearances over the next four years.

Oh and please, double up the secret service teams for Obama.

kthxbai.

#5: Watch the Head!

By Dave
Jan 25th 2009 4:38PM

Smooth, Obama, Smooth.

Still, a long way to go before you get to epic Gerald Ford status

#4: Jill Biden's Gaffe Reveals Obama Campaign Broke the Law

By Mark Impomeni
Jan 19th 2009 8:45PM

Appearing on Oprah Winfrey's show this afternoon, Jill Biden, wife of Vice-President elect Joe Biden, made a verbal gaffe that could land the Obama Administration in some hot water. Mrs. Biden let slip that her husband Joe was offered a choice of either the Secretary of State's position or the Vice-Presidency.


The potential problem for the Obama Administration goes far beyond the obviously embarrassing revelation that Hillary Clinton was actually the second choice for Secretary of State, however. Promising an appointment to a federal office by a candidate in exchange for support is a crime.

#3: British Press Turn Noses Up at President Obama's DVD Gift Pack

By Tommy Christopher
Nov 7th 2008 8:02PM

Update: The British press are having at this like it's a leg of mutton, and Caleb Howe has a "funny" picture up over at Redstate. Still awaiting comment from the White House. I hope they say something about flipping that whole colonization thing around if they don't pipe down.

The British press have obiously never heard the adage "It's the thought that counts." They're ungraciously criticizing the President's gift for British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, and comparing it to Brown's gifts to the Obamas. From the Daily Mail:

He had put clearly great thought into giving the U.S. President lavish gifts to signify Britain's 'special relationship' with the U.S.

During his historic trip to Washington, Gordon Brown gave Barack Obama an ornamental pen holder made from the timbers of the Victorian anti-slave ship HMS Gannet - once called HMS President.

The unique present delighted Mr Obama because oak from the Gannet's sister ship, HMS Resolute, was carved to make a desk that already takes place in the Oval Office in the White House, after being presented by Britain to the US in 1880.

Big whoop! A homemade tchotchke made out of driftwood. It doesn't even say if the thing included pens. What did President Obama give Brown?

For despite being leader of the world's most bountiful nation, President Obama handed over nothing more thought-provoking than 25 classic American films on DVD.

It was the equivalent of receiving a pair of socks from an unfamiliar aunt at Christmas - and a less-than-glowing affirmation of the UK-US bond.

Well, la-di-da, guess he might as well not have even bothered! The paper goes on to point out that the set probably cost about £250.00. Yeah, but a pound is worth, like, 6 bucks, isn't it?

Really, when you think about it, Obama's gift was a lot better. We've got loads of pens and holders in America, but what was the last good movie to come out of the UK? 28 Days Later?

In all seriousness, Obama has left himself open for some justified needling here. It rises to the level of "Would you please pass the jelly?" I'm hoping he handed this off to a staffer, who really wanted to use up his "Best Buy Rewards."

If I was Obama, I would point out that it could have been worse.


#2: Joe Biden Swears Like a Vice President
By Dylan and Ethan Ris
Mar 13th 2009 10:55PM


Apparently, there is a grand tradition amongst Vice Presidents of publicly swearing at Senators.

Dick Cheney did his swearing in remorseless hate, of course. Joe Biden is more congenial.

When a former Senate colleague of his (the jury is out on who it was) greeted him as "Mr. Vice President" at an event today promoting increased Amtrak funding, he replied with a friendly "Give me a f---ing break!"

You can hear the audio here.

This of course isn't really news, but it's better than writing a story with a name like "GOP Rift on Need for Alternate Budget."





#1: President Obama Makes 'Special Olympics' Crack on Leno
By Tommy Christopher
Nov 7th 2008 8:02PM

Update 3: Over at Hot Air, Captain Ed and Allahpundit are dueling it out over whether to make a big deal out of this. Here's what I think.

Update 2: Obama Deputy Press Secretary Bill Burton issued this statement to reporters:

"The president made an offhand remark making fun of his own bowling that was in no way intended to disparage the Special Olympics. He thinks that the Special Olympics are a wonderful program that gives an opportunity to shine to people with disabilities from around the world."

Update: I just got the advance transcript, which can't be released until the show airs, but the remark that Olbermann references is in there, pretty much exactly as he says:

Q Now, are they going to put a basketball –- I imagine the bowling alley has been just burned and closed down.

THE PRESIDENT: No, no. I have been practicing all –- (laughter.)

Q Really? Really?

THE PRESIDENT: I bowled a 129. (Laughter and applause.)

Q No, that's very good. Yes. That's very good, Mr. President.

THE PRESIDENT: It's like - it was like Special Olympics, or something. (Laughter.)

Q No, that's very good.

THE PRESIDENT: No, listen, I'm making progress on the bowling, yes.

Keith Olbermann watched the live feed from Barack Obama's Tonight Show appearance this afternoon, and he reported on a gaffe that could be trouble for the President. I love the look on Keith's face when Late Late Show host Craig Ferguson tells him he just ruined the President's chance to have the gaffe erased in editing:



I do need to point out that, elsewhere in the Countdown episode, Keith himself makes jokes about Tourette Syndrome. Classy.

Check back later to see if the remark survives editing.

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