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Obama Corrects 'Obama bin Laden' Slip

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April 14, 2008 2:52 PM

ABC News' Sunlen Miller and Cullen Dirner Report: Sen. Barack Obama quickly corrected a slipup about his name Monday at the Associated Press' annual luncheon in Washington, DC.

Dean Singleton, board chair of the Associated Press and a longtime newspaper executive, asked Obama about the possibility of shifting troops into Afghanistan to fight against the al Qaeda leader.

"Can you imagine shifting a substantial number of Afghanistan -- a substantial number to Afghanistan where the Taliban has been gaining strength and Obama Bin Laden is still at large?" Singleton asked

Obama, clearly a bit agitated, quickly interrupted him, “I think that was Osama bin Laden,” the Democratic candidate said, and then took a big gulp of water from the glass next to the podium.

Singleton quickly apologized.

"If I did that I'm so sorry," he said.

“No, no, no, this is part of the -– part of the exercises that I’ve been going though over the last fifteen months,” Obama said, “Which is why it’s pretty impressive that I’m standing here.”

The audience applauded Obama’s quick retort.

Watch the VIDEO HERE.

After the event, an embarrassed Singleton could be heard off camera, but on microphone, telling an unidentified man: "Can't believe I did that. I didn't think I did. But he said it so I assumed I did. So, certainly wasn't on purpose."

April 14, 2008 in Kucinich, Dennis, Tancredo, Tom | Permalink | User Comments (293)

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He impresses himself quite easily doesn't he?

Posted by: kris | Apr 14, 2008 2:57:06 PM

Surely that was a setup by the Obama camp to distract voters from the ongoing issues and garner sympathy. Politics as usual.

Posted by: mixed-american | Apr 14, 2008 2:57:14 PM

Classy and on point. Now that's the Obama I like to see.

Posted by: Keith | Apr 14, 2008 2:57:26 PM

lol so now the AP is in the tank for Obama. You guys are funny.

Posted by: Keith | Apr 14, 2008 2:58:32 PM

Whoa that was an obvious one. Obama's response was way too convenient.

Posted by: DCVoter | Apr 14, 2008 3:01:19 PM

I don't know why he doesn't go after Hillary in the same manner. If Obama even slips or slightly trips, she is there to push him down and wipe the floor with him. Her disgraced husband and her supporters and classless surrogates are all right there, ready to pounce another Democrat.

He, on the other hand, does not do that to her. He ALWAYS lets these stories in the news go by WITHOUT even a whisper or comment from the guy. He better slam her come Wednesday night on this Bosina stuff, the elitiest crap and other junk or he will lose my support.

Anyone with even half a brain knows, an elite person is someone who makes MORE than 100 in less than 7 years - I don't give a damn if they were the ex-president or first lady - that is still TO much money... So, he better go after her on that. He better let her know, the only one out of touch is the person that would vote against a bill that would make it easier for people to get out of debt if they so chose that method.

Therefore, she is the elite person, she made over 100 million and she voted against the common man, now she better answer to the Amer. people who is the elite person of the two. STEP IT UP OBAMA! Stop being NICE, THAT S//T DOESN'T WORK WITH GHETTO STYLE POLITICIANS AND TACTICS...........

If he can correct and comment on stupid comments such as the above, surely he can take on the POOREST MANAGED CAMPAIGN IN MODERN HISTORY and its candidate - and a campaign run by seasoned vets.....

Posted by: E. L. | Apr 14, 2008 3:06:04 PM

I don't know why he doesn't go after Hillary in the same manner. If Obama even slips or slightly trips, she is there to push him down and wipe the floor with him. Her disgraced husband and her supporters and classless surrogates are all right there, ready to pounce another Democrat.

He, on the other hand, does not do that to her. He ALWAYS lets these stories in the news go by WITHOUT even a whisper or comment from the guy. He better slam her come Wednesday night on this Bosina stuff, the elitiest crap and other junk or he will lose my support.

Anyone with even half a brain knows, an elite person is someone who makes MORE than 100 in less than 7 years - I don't give a damn if they were the ex-president or first lady - that is still TO much money... So, he better go after her on that. He better let her know, the only one out of touch is the person that would vote against a bill that would make it easier for people to get out of debt if they so chose that method.

Therefore, she is the elite person, she made over 100 million and she voted against the common man, now she better answer to the Amer. people who is the elite person of the two. STEP IT UP OBAMA! Stop being NICE, THAT S//T DOESN'T WORK WITH GHETTO STYLE POLITICIANS AND TACTICS...........

If he can correct and comment on stupid comments such as the above, surely he can take on the POOREST MANAGED CAMPAIGN IN MODERN HISTORY and its candidate - and a campaign run by seasoned vets.....

Posted by: E. L. | Apr 14, 2008 3:06:08 PM

Did everyone get that. Was the mic on loud enough. She didn't do it on purpose. Good to see he still has the water prop from the staged faintings

Posted by: geevill | Apr 14, 2008 3:06:51 PM

I saw the speech and the Q&A session.
Senator Obama was not agitated- he actually made a joke and kind of laughed it off.

These reporters are always adding there own interpretation which is biased. I don't know why they do this- it's sad most people will never get to see how genuine and down to earth Obama is. Plus, he knows how to laugh at himself.

Posted by: Nancy Kandel | Apr 14, 2008 3:07:15 PM

"clearly a bit agitated"? I was watching it and he didn't interrupt him, he responded at the end of the question, smiling. What he interrupted was the apology to tell him it was alright and his answer broke the tension getting a lot of laughter before applause.

Come on. Even the google mews summary of Fox's report on this was
"After a pause and a smile, he said “I think that was OSAMA bin Laden.”"

You know if he was agitated they'd want to report it.

Posted by: Joyn | Apr 14, 2008 3:07:52 PM


Barack Obama himself never mentioned the name "Osama", he always say "Bin Laden". I do not know whether others have already noticed this!

I think to avoid the confusion we should also get used to say "Bin Laden"!

Posted by: Peace | Apr 14, 2008 3:08:45 PM

I think Obama is cracking up to be quite honest. This bitter-gate has damaged his campaign. You can see the stress on his face and the angst in his words.

But to be fair, this article is everything we Clinton supporters have been FURIOUS about since January.

Taking something like this and giving it national exposure doesnt help Obama and further fuels the fact he is not a mainstream american.

We Clinton supporters have put up with this type of behavior to bash Bill and Hillary for months, so part of us is GLEEFUL seeing Obama get roasted.

But mostly we object to this low kind of media mudslinging.

Posted by: tomdavie | Apr 14, 2008 3:11:20 PM

No, no, no, this is part of the -– part of the exercises that I’ve been going though over the last fifteen months,” Obama said, “Which is why it’s pretty impressive that I’m standing here.”


Obama is so arrogant...so impressed with himself. Elitist, out of touch.

Posted by: Lezident | Apr 14, 2008 3:11:59 PM

No, no, no, this is part of the -– part of the exercises that I’ve been going though over the last fifteen months,” Obama said, “Which is why it’s pretty impressive that I’m standing here.”


Obama is so arrogant...so impressed with himself. Elitist, out of touch.

Posted by: Lezident | Apr 14, 2008 3:12:01 PM

Obama's comment regarding small town PA is an honest comment (and truth hurts to some people....). Who knows? maybe they (people who got emotional over the comment) will vote for Hillary or maybe they will go with Obama and vote for their interest. We shouldn't make same mistake as we did in last two elections (poor white working people voting for George Bush...they got messed up badly by Bush) Let's not vote against our interest...Hillary is for rich people only!!! I hope American wake up and vote with our interest and that is voting for Obama who will stand up for everyone including middle class America!!!

Posted by: newmusicnme | Apr 14, 2008 3:12:02 PM

I'm surprised Obama didn't say that Singleton was "clinging" to "Obama bin Laden, because he lost his job in the factory. Obama you old marxist you.

Posted by: Gonzalo | Apr 14, 2008 3:13:09 PM

Singleton will be taking a very nice vacation in the Virgin Islands next week courtesy of the Obama campaign...

Posted by: rs | Apr 14, 2008 3:16:02 PM

Obama is so proud of himself! He is the chosen one, so he thinks. What a fake bunch of BS he is.

Posted by: al | Apr 14, 2008 3:16:24 PM

I ma glad he is impressed with himself. ugh can he get any more full of himself. what a crock

Posted by: Chipo | Apr 14, 2008 3:18:09 PM

There is a story in USA today interviewing people who knew obama's grandmother who said she never made negative comments about others or even swore. i think obama made that up.

Posted by: al | Apr 14, 2008 3:18:49 PM

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