Barack Obama's penchant for gaffes is hardly anything new, but as the Illinois Democrat has come closer and closer to becoming the official Democratic presidential nominee, it seems the mainstream media have become less and less likely to note his gaffes. A cursory Web search finds a few instances of the mainstream media picking up on Obama gaffes in 2007, when Sen. Clinton was well ahead of Obama in the polls and was widely expected to be marching towards coronation in Denver.
"Obama's gaffes start to pile up" read the headline for a March 28 Lynn Sweet column. March 28, 2007, that is:
WASHINGTON -- Sen. Barack Obama's presidential campaign, 46 days old on Tuesday, has run into some speed bumps, created because of a series of missteps magnified because he is under microscopic scrutiny.
It's too early to say whether the gaffes slow Obama's momentum -- or if they become barricades, extracting a more significant price for the Illinois Democrat's White House bid. They are getting noticed.
Consider the items that have been accumulating since Obama announced on Feb. 10:
• Marking the anniversary of the March 1965 "Bloody Sunday" in Selma, Ala., Obama, speaking at a church, said his parents got together "because of what happened in Selma." Obama was born in 1961.
• Obama told Larry King on CNN -- asked about that anti-Hillary Rodham Clinton YouTube ad, a doctored version of a spot created for Apple computers -- "We don't have the technical capacity to create something like that."
And who can forget this gem from May 2007?:
(AP) Barack Obama, caught up in the fervor of a campaign speech Tuesday, drastically overstated the Kansas tornadoes death toll, saying 10,000 had died.
"In case you missed it, this week, there was a tragedy in Kansas. Ten thousand people died - an entire town destroyed," the Democratic presidential candidate said in a speech to 500 people packed into a sweltering Richmond art studio for a fundraiser.
Obama mentioned the disaster in Greensburg, Kan., in saying he had been told by the office of Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius that the state's National Guard had been depleted by its commitment to the Iraq War.
"Turns out that the National Guard in Kansas only had 40 percent of its equipment and they are having to slow down the recovery process in Kansas," Obama said, his shirt sleeves rolled up and his head glistening with sweat.
As the Illinois senator concluded his remarks a few minutes later, he appeared to realize his gaffe.
"There are going to be times when I get tired," he said. "There are going to be times when I get weary. There are going to be times when I make mistakes."
Obama spokesman Bill Burton said later that the senator meant to say "at least 10," instead of 10,000.
The media coverage of those 2007 gaffes contrasts with media disinterest in Obama's more recent "57 states" remark or his seeing dead people at a Memorial Day speech, both of which are available on YouTube.
What's more, the MSM tried to move on past Rev. Jeremiah Wright back in March by hyping a McCain gaffe on Iraq that the Arizona senator corrected in short order while still on stage. From a March 20, 2008 item by MRC/NB's Brent Baker:
A day after Barack Obama's speech in reaction to the bigoted and hateful rants of his long-time pastor, the network evening newscasts moved on -- with only ABC briefly mentioning the topic -- while NBC Nightly News, which has run just one clip of Jeremiah Wright and on Friday had instead featured a whole story about Obama's childhood friends cheering him on, centered a Wednesday night story around "a mistake" by John McCain. Anchor Brian Williams provided an ominous plug: "Did John McCain slip, or was his mistake intentional? His choice of words making news tonight."
—Ken Shepherd is Managing Editor of NewsBusters
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
Don't look now, but it look's like there's another one
May 27, 2008 - 13:18 ET by Prester JohnObama: My uncle liberated … Auschwitz?
The only problem is that it was the SOVIET Army that liberated Auschwitz.
Courtesy NRO and Hot Air:
http://hotair.com/archives/2008/05/27/obama-my-grandfather-liberated-auschwitz/
The media needs to relax
May 27, 2008 - 13:18 ET by Cureboy675The media needs to relax when it comes to these "gaffes". Whether its coming from Barack Obama or John McCain...They need to relax. If somebody wanted to follow each of us around with a microphone for an entire year and record every statement we make, I guarantee you they will capture every single one of us saying something that sounds kind of bone-headed. Whether its saying something about 57 states or a slip of the tongue about Iran...Its a goof people, move on.
That being said...There's a big difference between an obvious goof and just plain lying about sniper fire in Bosnia.
ROFL Cureboy... The msm
May 27, 2008 - 13:30 ET by bigtimerROFL Cureboy...
The msm needs to relax?
Surely you jest...they couldn't get anymore relaxed when it comes to your clown who doesn't even know how many states we have in the US or what the term fallen soldier means...worry not, they will stay deaf, dumb and blind for your simpleton.
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Churchill
Okay. Do you honestly
May 27, 2008 - 14:20 ET by Cureboy675Okay. Do you honestly believe that Obama thinks there are 57 states? Or do you think that he simply mis-spoke? If thats the case, then you must honestly believe that McCain is sorely mistaken about his statement about Iran (the one his bud Liebermann quickly corrected him on). I'm willing to give McCain the benefit of the doubt on that one. Because even though he's older than God, I don't think he's a total moron.
Physicians in training, and
May 27, 2008 - 14:56 ET by stratmanIt is the totality of his statements that shame Obama, though he has had some singular statements that were doozies.
Physicians in training, and even some already in practice, regularly have days as long, and longer, than Obama.
If your physician started talking like Obama, complete with innaccuracies and fabrications, how long until you find another doctor?
I sure as hell don't want a president who not only mangles fact but also makes up crap on the spot (let alone planned out ahead of time).
Bush may mangle words but Obama is an idiot talking out of turn and uttering complete bulls**t.
Being tired is not an excuse when you aspire to be POTUS. As excuses like that don't quarter with physicians, Obama's lame excuses for his ineptitude should garner little sympathy or acceptance with Americans.
I am moving from distaste to disgust with Obama the more he opens his piehole.
Save the drama for your mama, Obama.
RRAM Tough!
True. You are so right. I
May 27, 2008 - 15:07 ET by Cureboy675True. You are so right. I think I would much rather have a doctor who continues to follow the same careless regimen of the same doctor I had to deal with over the past eight years. A doctor who doesn't listen to the advice of other experienced physicians and just does his own thing and doesn't really care about my health as much as he cares about not having to admit he was actually (gasp!) wrong about something
Sorry.
May 27, 2008 - 15:17 ET by FoolicanI'm afraid I don't follow your logic.
This election isn't about George Bush, it's about the NEXT president of the United States. You can't apply the past to the future directly as there are now entirely new issues coming up. For instance, the price of oil is above an unprecedented $120 a barrel, and while Bush is perfectly willing to sign a bill on energy independence and domestic drilling, the majority of Congress is of the contrary opinion. I don't think that it's Bush who's pushing the careless regimen; I think it's Congress that's being stubborn. Didn't they promise to lower gas prices when they were elected in the 2006 midterms? And hasn't a Democrat Congressman openly admitted to deceiving the American people in order to get elected?
The executive branch is not the most powerful office in the United States; far from it. The legislative branch holds the lawmaking power.
DAN QUAYLE
May 27, 2008 - 13:34 ET by Prester JohnDAN QUAYLE
DAN QUAYLE
Relax my a$$.
Hmmm - Sniper fire; Or how about...
May 27, 2008 - 14:21 ET by ontheright...saying you've never been a "practicing" Muslim, or you've not been associated with known enemies of the state, or you've not been associated with various types criminal ilk, or you're parent's were united at an event that happend 5 years after you were born, or you didn't hear the hate filled rants spewed from the pulpit after 20 some odd years, or making the statement "...getting Taliban weapons was easier...than getting them from our Commander in Chief", or making the statement "we did not contact Canadian officials" regarding NAFTA comments, or explaining the reason for not wearing a lapel pin and/or placing your hand over your heart during the National Anthem by redefining patriotism...
I can find many, many more "goofs" (in this case read: lies) as you call them.
However, speaking for those like minded individuals who are not mesmerized by the facad of "Messianic equivalence" annointed Barrack Hussein Obamma by the MSM, we are not fooled and all the ranting and raving will not succeed in "dumbing us down".
If I had enough interest in
May 27, 2008 - 15:14 ET by Cureboy675If I had enough interest in McCain, I would sit here and drone on and on in several paragraphs about 100 years in Iraq (and yet victory will be achieved by 2013) and the supporters he warmly embraced and then had to distance himself from, or some of the really tasteless things he said (about how Alzheimers is great because you get to hide your own Easter eggs). But I'm honestly not that worried about his chances of actually winning the election. Especially if he keeps on with this Iraq kick and George W Bush keeps trying to connect himself with McCain (Please, Mr President, keep doing that!)
If I had enough interest in
May 27, 2008 - 16:40 ET by FoolicanIf I had enough interest in McCain, I would sit here and drone on and
on in several paragraphs about 100 years in Iraq (and yet victory will
be achieved by 2013)
That's a metaphor, and it shows his dedication to fighting terror in the Middle East, particularly in Iraq. I don't know how you could drone on in "several paragraphs"; it seems as arbitrary a number as 100 years.
and the supporters he warmly embraced and then had
to distance himself from
Better than claiming that "I didn't know this guy, I was only 8 years old" at the spur of the moment, and then having to make a press release two weeks later saying "these comments outrage me."
, or some of the really tasteless things he
said (about how Alzheimers is great because you get to hide your own
Easter eggs)
He has the right to say that; he's 72.
But I'm honestly not that worried about his chances of
actually winning the election. Especially if he keeps on with this Iraq
kick and George W Bush keeps trying to connect himself with McCain
(Please, Mr President, keep doing that!)
Yep. We're ready for 4 years of Marxist-influenced socialism, all right. You guys enjoy it, I'm moving to Ireland.
"He has the right to say
May 27, 2008 - 17:35 ET by Cureboy675"He has the right to say that; he's 72."
Are you for real? Because he's older than a lot of people, he has the right to make jokes about a devastating disease? That makes me wonder why he doesn't tell that little gem of a joke on every leg of his campaign tour. I mean, all the families with somebody dealing that disease would just slap their knees and chuckle and say, "Gosh dern it, that McCain is a pistol. He can say it because he's 72!"
"He has the right to say that; he's 72" Good grief, that is some wacky logic. I certainly wouldn't try to defend my candidate saying something like that...I would agree that it was tacky...Or, more likely, I would avoid the topic...But I certainly wouldn't try and defend it!
Well...
May 27, 2008 - 17:46 ET by FoolicanThat makes me wonder why he doesn't tell that little gem of a joke on
every leg of his campaign tour. I mean, all the families with somebody
dealing that disease would just slap their knees and chuckle and say,
"Gosh dern it, that McCain is a pistol. He can say it because he's 72!"
But he doesn't. :\
In any case, your original criticism is rather insignificant in my eyes. I would rather have a president that is willing to be a little politically incorrect, instead of having to adhere to arbitrary "good taste" benchmarks. People seem to be so easily offended nowadays - that goes for a LOT of Republican footdraggers on NewsBusters - that they simply can't laugh at a slight joke or dig as innocuous as this. (And don't say I don't know what Alzheimer's is, I hear horror stories daily from friends who have to deal with their families' pain.)
Really? You'd rather have
May 27, 2008 - 18:10 ET by Cureboy675Really? You'd rather have a president who tends to make off-color jokes in bad taste...Then have a president who prefers to be thought of having good taste and not wanting to offend people?
I guess I can see your point. I mean, we only have the entire world to impress.
"...I mean, we only have
May 28, 2008 - 12:40 ET by red_dragon311"...I mean, we only have the entire world to impress"
so i gues you agree with Soros asking the world to vote for OUR president?
so should we vote for say ........Iran's new president?
why do the Obama's have no trouble insulting:
white people
gun owners
religious people
Veterans
or in other words AMERICANS
A government big enough to give you everything you want, is strong enough to take everything you have.
-Gerald Ford
Here we go again...
May 28, 2008 - 00:25 ET by JWFLord in heaven, it is not a gaffe when it is historical policy.
I was stationed in Japan, where we have been 63 years now.
I was stationed in the Philippines, where we were for 93 years.
Other places -
Germany - 63 years
Cuba - 109 years
South Korea - 58 years roughly.
Other long term bases in Panama, England, Spain, Taiwan (left) , Iceland, etc.
One place we left, Vietnam, look what happened after we abandoned the idea of a long term base.
Oh, and there are those of us who LIKED George Bush and supported and still supported what we are doing in Iraq. So keep trying to connect McCain & Bush, that really hurts our feelings. NOT!
This coming from Lynn Sweet
May 27, 2008 - 13:25 ET by bigtimerThis coming from Lynn Sweet is what shocks me...there has been absolutely nobody more supportive and half in love with Obama than her from the beginning....makes one wonder what may come on down the road from other columnists...
Just kidding folks....
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Churchill
Obama history
May 27, 2008 - 14:11 ET by KC MulvilleBLUTO: Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor? Hell, no!
OTTER: Germans?
BOON: Forget it, he's rolling.
Obama Gaffes!!!
May 27, 2008 - 15:48 ET by SyriusMaybe we should start a Barakisms just like Bushisms!!!
Let's not forget the absolute humor of the mangled language of our President, the Mangler in Chief!!!
"I'll be long gone before some smart person ever figures out
what happened inside this Oval Office."—Washington, D.C., May 12, 2008
"Take the Middle East seriously because that's the center of—that's the
place where people get so despondent and despair that they're willing
to come and take lives of U.S. citizens."—on advice he would give the
next president, Washington, D.C., May 12, 2008
"Removing Saddam Hussein was the right decision early in my presidency,
it is the right decision now, and it will be the right decision
ever."—Washington, D.C., March 12, 2008
"And so, General, I want to thank you for your service. And I
appreciate the fact that you really snatched defeat out of the jaws of
those who are trying to defeat us in Iraq."—meeting with Army Gen. Ray
Odierno, Washington, D.C., March 3, 2008
And these are recent!!! Thanks Mr. President for the beautiful and articulate language we've all had to suffer through for the past few years!!!
I do look forward to the same with whoever will be President after you.
Syrius
Um... those aren't gaffes,
May 27, 2008 - 16:37 ET by FoolicanUm... those aren't gaffes, sir, those are truisms.
Okay, then...
May 27, 2008 - 16:44 ET by SyriusFoolican,
Truisms? Surely you jest? You do see the mistakes in each one of the statements, correct?
Syrius
Rather
May 27, 2008 - 17:02 ET by JoelCTI have been saying since 2000, for three straight elections now:
"I would rather have a truthful language-mangler for President than an articulate liar."
Lost in translation.
May 27, 2008 - 17:36 ET by SyriusJoelCT,
That's the scary part. I think Dubya is speakin' the truth most of the time. He has a disconnected wire somewhere which allows for his true beliefs to be spewed out. So, you have to start asking yourself how do you overcome your bias and find the truth? If the truth is in the facts and the person omits the facts is he being truthful or misleading. If the person misspoke and corrects it with a fact, is he considered lying or showing he is only human. I joke about Dubya's speech with the understanding he may have misspoke. It's when he doesn't correct himself and digs the hole deeper is when I begin to question his intention. Look at Hill and her statements on Obama and RFK. She said it not once but twice. It wasn't a mistake. It was a tactic.
I would like to avoid, or at least minimize, the
mistakes of self-deception or common patterns of error. I know we aren't perfect, nor will we ever be perfect, but trying is better than not trying.
Syrius
People simply aren't cut
May 27, 2008 - 17:48 ET by FoolicanPeople simply aren't cut out for the public speaking portion of the presidency. The greatest difficulty is that the ability to publicly speak is attributed to the public's opinion. This means that Obama could do a horrid job in his next presidency, but if he's still able to articulate his words he'd still be able to catch a 65% approval rating.
Obama's gaffs are more surprising because he is considerably more hostile to his opponents than Bush.
Obama lies...
May 27, 2008 - 17:56 ET by ontheright...Democracy dies.
Caviat!
May 27, 2008 - 17:58 ET by FoolicanThat doesn't make sense any way you look at it. I would prefer that democracy dies - it's mob rule. U.S. was founded on the basis of a constitutional republic, not a democracy. Why we went this direction I have no idea.
Let's define our terms...
May 28, 2008 - 00:09 ET by Tom1969caOkay, that's not a "gaffe". That's a lie.
"Barack Obama: Your business-as-usual candidate!"
~~~
I admire FDR for not insisting on getting the approval of France and Germany before going to war.
--Anne Coulter