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McCain Web Video Attacks Biden As Gaffe Machine
October 02, 2008 2:44 PM
It's been said up here on Capitol Hill that Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., picked the only vice presidential nominee who could lose a debate to Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.
I don't know that that's a fair charge, but it does get at the Democratic jitters up here about the senator's propensity to open mouth, insert foot.
Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., launched a web video today called "Embarrass" that assails his Senate colleague and (now erstwhile?) pal Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., as a embarrassing gaffe-machine. The video for the most part hews to legitimately cringe-inducing Biden-isms, though it also contains some distortions as well.
The script is as follows, interspersed by some context where needed.
ANNOUNCER: "What might Joe Biden say at tonight's debate? Anything's possible."
JOE BIDEN: "I think I probably have a much higher I.Q. than you do…"
(Yikes. This is even worse than it sounds because it's the beginning of a Biden 1988 exchange that ended up being riddled with inaccurate boasts about his college record. More on that HERE.)
ANNCR: "We know he has impeccable tact."
JOE BIDEN: "You cannot go to a 7-Eleven or a Dunkin' Donuts, unless you have a slight Indian accent. I'm not joking…"
(Yikes. This was a comment Biden made to an Indian-American in 2006 shown on C-SPAN's "Road to the White House." Biden also said: "I've had a great relationship. In Delaware, the largest growth in population is Indian-Americans moving from India." A spokeswoman for Biden later said: "The point Senator Biden was making is that there has been a vibrant Indian-American community in Delaware for decades. It has primarily been made up of engineers, scientists and physicians, but more recently, middle-class families are moving into Delaware and purchasing family-run small businesses. These families have greatly contributed to the vibrancy of the Indian-American community in Delaware and are making a significant contribution to the national economy as well.")
ANNCR: "Maybe he'll send Hillary in his place?"
JOE BIDEN: "Hillary Clinton is as qualified or more qualified than I am...Might have been a better pick than me…"
(Biden indeed said this, but in fairness he was defending Clinton from a man who said how glad he was that Obama picked him over Hillary, "not because she's a woman, but because, look at the things she did in the past.")
ANNCR: "And what might he say about his vote to raise taxes on those making just $42,000 a year?"
JOE BIDEN: "It's time to be patriotic Kate, time to jump in, time to be part of the deal."
(This is totally spurious. Biden was telling ABC News' Kate Snow what he would tell those individuals making over $200,000 a year, or couples making more than $250,000 when asked why their taxes should be increased. It had nothing to do with people making $42,000.)
ANNCR: "We know he'd never embarrass himself."
JOE BIDEN: "Stand up, Chuck. Let them see you! Oh, God love you, what am I talking about?"
(This wouldn't make sense if you didn't know the story, but Biden was talking to someone in a wheelchair.)
ANNCR: "Ready to gaffe? Yes. Ready to lead? No."
- jpt
October 2, 2008 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (83)
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It's all over. Resistance is futile.
Prepare for the New New Deal coming to your neighborhood soon. Economic justice is on the way.
Posted by: Woody | Oct 2, 2008 5:45:27 PM
Speaking of gaffes
Sarah Palin has committed yet another political blunder after claiming she had held talks with a British ambassador - talks that never actually took place.
In an answer to questions about her foreign policy experience ahead of tonight's make-or-break vice presidential TV debate, her aides listed numerous contacts with foreign officials - including Britain's ambassador to Washington, Sir Nigel Sheinwald.
However the meeting never occurred. Officials at the embassy swiftly contacted the McCain-Palin campaign to inform them of the discrepancy.
A British Embassy spokesman said the error arose after Sir Nigel's name was listed among those who had attended a US Governor's meeting in July.
Posted by: Ryan C | Oct 2, 2008 5:38:04 PM
McCain camp spinning the truth to shield the McCain:
Obama's an elitist.
Truth McCain has 7+ houses and 13 cars on his second wife spent his life in the senate with government paid for health healthcare.
Flying on private jets his campaign is ran by lobbyist for lobbyists!
Obama's Dangerous.
This is from the guy who was the cheerleader for the war in Iraq bassed on a lie which will be known as America's biggest foriegn policy mistake ever! "BOOMB BOOMB BOOMB IRAN" and lets "LETS NUKE NORTH KOREA"
The same guy who has picked the worlds most ignorant (can't name a newspaper she reads, "I can see russia from my house") political candidate ever
in Sarah Palin.
A woman who as mayor charge woman for their own rape kits costing approximately $5,000 to $14,000...
Imagine that working to pay off your rape kit.
Palin's then Police Chief Charlie Fannon told the Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman, the local newspaper. "We just don't want to see any more burden put on the taxpayer."
Should you get pregnant due to the rape she believe you MUST have the baby.
So not only are you attacked and violated against your will you also lose your right to choice to be a parent or not!
How does anyone support this **** ?
Vote smart vote Obama!!
Posted by: James | Oct 2, 2008 5:16:14 PM
we can create an entire whole movie of McPalin gaffes. Dumb Dumber Dumbest!
Posted by: yolanda | Oct 2, 2008 4:52:40 PM
RCP Electoral Count
Obama 259 McCain 163 Obama +96
No Toss Up States
Obama 353 McCain 185 Obama +168
Needed to win 270
Posted by: James | Oct 2, 2008 4:50:56 PM
Do you want the most likable guy in the room fly the airplane, or the most competent and trained pilot?
Do you want the most likable doctor operating on your kids, or are you going to pick the person you want to have a beer with?
Trying to spin for Caribou Barbie has got to be one of the most painful tasks for the McCain campaign surrogates. Just watching Joe Loserman claim that her lack of knowledge is a plus is downright scary. No wonder the US is the laughing stock of the world.
Posted by: Done Gone | Oct 2, 2008 4:50:56 PM
"She had the book on pre-order since August. McCain didn't oppose her then. McCain is just doing what he always does play politics."
McCain didn't oppose her yesterday either.
But hey today is a new day so its time for a new position.
Posted by: Ryan C | Oct 2, 2008 4:37:54 PM
Mack
McCain has a bad habit of doing that. 1st it was Iraq, the Election, the debate... What's next?
Posted by: MM | Oct 2, 2008 4:07:31 PM
squitnz,
remember, this ad does come to us from the campaign that put out an ad claiming their candidate won the debate...before the debate occurred.
Posted by: Mack | Oct 2, 2008 4:00:59 PM
(Peeks head in room)
Nope, no random acts of intelligence here.
Posted by: The Two Jakes | Oct 2, 2008 3:55:29 PM
"McCain supporters are working, and of a certain age that they will make the grown up choice for McCain."
Of a certain age?
That's how women approaching menopause are described.
I have more respect for McCain supporters than that.
Currently Obama leads in all age groups but 65+ and he's within a few points there.
Posted by: Ryan C | Oct 2, 2008 3:24:46 PM
----------------------------------------
Ryan C., hadn't heard much from you today.
Of a certain age; also includes men with ED, and I am not referring to McCain.
Posted by: George | Oct 2, 2008 3:54:58 PM
What total nonsense. Biden has an actual grasp of the issues while Palin is a parrot.
Posted by: Howard, New York | Oct 2, 2008 3:52:44 PM
AP is confirming that McCain is pulling ads in Michigan
Posted by: MM | Oct 2, 2008 3:50:57 PM
Bob Barr just called McCain a hypocrite and refuse to call Obama one. (McCain talking points - Barr is in the pocket of obama).
Posted by: MM | Oct 2, 2008 3:48:39 PM
Funny ad. That said, I'd take Biden's gaffes over Palin's ignorance any day.
Posted by: El_Pajaro | Oct 2, 2008 3:44:03 PM
squitnz
Hey we agree, I nearly wrote the exact same thing earlier in the blog. You wrote it better though.
Posted by: MM | Oct 2, 2008 3:43:40 PM
Brenda
She had the book on pre-order since August. McCain didn't oppose her then. McCain is just doing what he always does play politics.
Posted by: MM | Oct 2, 2008 3:40:34 PM
Now wait a sec. I thought the pre-debate spin was to downplay your own candidate's strengths, not the other sides'. Now if he doesn't make a foolish gaffe he looks good? Doesn't sound like a winning bet to me, McCain team.
Posted by: squitnz | Oct 2, 2008 3:37:45 PM
You know what...Biden has a higher IQ than you do
Posted by: Captain America | Oct 2, 2008 3:37:39 PM
Does Crazy Joe suffer from flashbacks due to his helicopter being forced down by al Qaeda and the Taliban?
Does he wake up at night in a cold sweat with guns ablazing? (remember: Obama don't take my guns away)
Posted by: Captain America | Oct 2, 2008 3:34:46 PM
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