Only ABC Highlights Biden's Gaffe About 'Dead' Mother of Irish PM, Stephanopoulos Lauds VP's 'Smile'

Only Good Morning America on Thursday played the cringe-inducing clip of Joe Biden incorrectly asserting that the mother of Ireland's Prime Minister is dead. Speaking at a St. Patrick's Day event, Wednesday, the Vice President ad-libbed, "His mom lived in Long Island for ten years or so. God rest her soul. And- although, she's- wait- your mom's still- your mom's still alive. Your dad passed. God bless her soul." [Audio available here.]

However, the ABC hosts then attempted to cover for Biden. News anchor Juju Chang lauded the Vice President's "quick recovery." Co-anchor George Stephanopoulos excused, "And that smile takes him a long way as well." Chang agreed, "Exactly. I think it gets a lot of forgiveness."

Journalists weren't quite so anxious to award forgiveness to Sarah Palin for any perceived gaffes she may have committed. However, at least ABC covered it. CBS's Early Show and NBC's Today both skipped the embarrassing moment.

A transcript of the brief segment, which aired at 7:15am on March 18, follows:

JUJU CHANG: And, finally, Vice President Joe Biden is known for going off script, like this little mix-up last night with the Irish prime minister.

VICE PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN: His mom lived in Long Island for ten years or so. God rest her soul. And- although, she's- wait- your mom's still- your mom's still alive. Your dad passed. God bless her soul. [Laughter]

CHANG: A quick recovery. Of course, Biden then quoted an Irish proverb, saying a silent mouth is sweet to hear. And that's the news at 7:15

GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: And that smile takes him a long way as well.

CHANG: Exactly. I think it gets a lot of forgiveness.

STEPHANOPOULOS: It certainly does.