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Obama Misspeaks, Calls Biden 'The Next President'; Biden Calls Obama 'Barack America'
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ShareAugust 23, 2008 4:52 PM
ABC News' Sara Just reports: Journalists who were awake until the wee hours waiting for confirmation that Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., was indeed Barack Obama's running mate, cannot be blamed if their hearing is a little fuzzy today.
But after today's Obama-Biden speeches to a massive crowd in Springfield, Ill., many reporters are rolling back the tape and asking each other, "Did he really say that?"
When introducing his running mate, Obama said, "So let me introduce to you the next president - the next vice president of the US of America, Joe Biden."
And then when it was Biden's turn to speak, the Delaware senator called the presumptive Democratic nominee "Barack America" instead of Barack Obama.
"My friends, I don't have to tell you, this election year the choice is clear. One man stands ready to deliver change we desperately need. A man I’m proud to call my friend. A man who will be the next president of the United States, Barack America,” Biden said, per ABC News' Sunlen Miller.
However the official Obama campaign transcript of Biden's remarks sent to reporters omitted part of the misspeak, reading: "A man who will be the next president of the United States, Barack Amer – You know, you learn a lot of things being up close with a guy."
Then, later in his speech, Biden jokingly referred to his wife's PhD as a "problem." Biden was clearly having a playful moment with his wife, who he also referred to as "drop dead gorgeous."
"Ladies and gentlemen, my wife Jill, who you’ll meet soon, is drop dead gorgeous. My wife Jill, who you’ll meet soon, she also has her doctorate degree, which is a problem," Biden said, "But all kidding aside, my Jill, my Jill, my wife Jill and I are honored to join Barack and Michelle on this journey, because that's what it is. it's a journey."
The Republican war machine jumped on the first misstatement, with the McCain campaign releasing the following statement within minutes of the Springfield event's close: “Barack Obama sounded as though he turned over the top spot on the ticket today to his new mentor, when he introduced Joe Biden as the next president. The reality is that nothing has changed since Joe Biden first made his assessment that Barack Obama is not ready to lead. He wasn’t ready then and he isn’t ready now,” McCain spokesman Ben Porrit said.
The press will not have a lot of time to study the Democratic running mates' style or stumbles on stage together this week.
Despite previous plans to campaign with his veep-pick in battleground states, Obama will pass through those swing states alone this week, as Biden heads back to his home state of Delaware to prepare his speech for the convention and the most important political speech of his career, at least so far.
The duo will not appear again together until Thursday night when they are slated to accept their party's nominations.
August 23, 2008 in Biden, Joe, Kucinich, Dennis, Romney, Mitt, Tancredo, Tom | Permalink | User Comments (858)
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Obama is a joke!!!
How did he get this far?
Beats me!!
He has nothing in him to be the President of US.
Posted by: JKan | Aug 23, 2008 5:35:10 PM
Lemme see here....Biden introduces Barack Amerrrri
(stops at caaaaa) Obama introduces him as the next President..... Hmmmmm. Freudian slip on Obama's part. Clueless on Biden's part.
Posted by: BoneheadedObama | Aug 23, 2008 5:35:48 PM
JR,
Convenient of you to leave out VALUES.
Again, why would Obama pick someone who goes AGAINST HIS VALUES (supporter war in Iraq, supported troop surge, racist comments, very partisan, ...)
Posted by: JA | Aug 23, 2008 5:38:02 PM
For those of the unfortunate 'child left behind' mis-educational system, "change" DOES NOT mean changing every last detail of the status quo.
"Change" means changing the BAD ASPECTS of the status quo.
Biden has been adamant about changing the BAD ASPECTS of Washington's status quo!
If Biden's perspective was advising the wild bush, Americans would not be losing lives, limbs and mental health in the Iraq McCaint-bush war!
Afghanistan-Pakistan would have been pacified by now.
And McCaint's Georgia would not have been involved in a genocidal attack on Ossetians.
Posted by: Patriot | Aug 23, 2008 5:38:36 PM
You would think Biden might manage to remember the last name of the person who just selected him to potentially hold the second highest office in the country......
Posted by: Lee | Aug 23, 2008 5:38:53 PM
ABC sure like to stir the beehive don't they? I think they do it just to get us all going at each other and sit back and watch the fun!
Great work if you can get it...
Other than that this is about one of the stupidest stories I have seen out you guys yet. Each guy gives a 15 minute speech and each one makes a one word error and you guys are right on it, fantastic reporting! NOT.
Posted by: Davis | Aug 23, 2008 5:39:54 PM
Verimus Opposumus.....
Barack America for president.
What screw balls.
Posted by: BoneheadedObama | Aug 23, 2008 5:41:05 PM
You Conservatives have a lousy track record when it comes to electing anyone qualified to be President. Point in fact this one (Alfred E Newman Bush) aka G W the village idiot from Crawford (the middle of nowhere) Texas.
Posted by: Ronaldraygun | Aug 23, 2008 5:42:38 PM
What are the Dumocrats thinking. This looks like Kerry/Edwards all over again. America doesn't want a lame flip-flopper like Obumma! Biden goes well with this kind of losing ticket! See you in the funny pages!
Posted by: Ed | Aug 23, 2008 5:43:31 PM
The slip by Obama is very significant. It shows he actually thinks of Biden as more fit to be president.
I have NEVER seen something like this before. It is very telling.
As far as Biden's Barack America....no idea.
Posted by: JA | Aug 23, 2008 5:44:25 PM
You liberals have a good track record...for picking losers!!!!
Looks like you have done it again!
Posted by: Ed | Aug 23, 2008 5:46:40 PM
Davis: It beats McCain standing there mouth open for minutes staring into space saying nothing and htis occurs time and time again. He's either in the first stages of alzheimers or he's just punch drunk from all the beatings he took as a POW just what you need in a time of crisis someone else like Alfred E. Bush who just sits and stares.
Posted by: Saddlesablazing | Aug 23, 2008 5:46:59 PM
You mean a loser like the Great decider ED?????
Posted by: Ronaldraygun | Aug 23, 2008 5:48:38 PM
Barack and Biden, two sick hypocrites!
Posted by: Ann | Aug 23, 2008 5:48:51 PM
Obama consulted the polls on this decision. Biden in NO WAY represents the ideals that Obama has been hyping.
Kaine and Sibelius would have been better choices consistent with his message of change and new politics.
Barack Obama has essentially abandoned his mantra from the primaries. Once again, Barack Obama has CHANGED ON US!
WHO IN THE WORLD IS BARACK OBAMA? From Independent newcomer, beyond partisan politics and negative campaigning, post-racial candidate............to ultra liberal.......to moderate democrat.....to this....
Posted by: JA | Aug 23, 2008 5:48:57 PM
As far as Biden's Barack America....no idea.
__________________
He probably FORGOT Obama's name.
Posted by: Texas Lil | Aug 23, 2008 5:49:46 PM
Biden has been friends with John McCain for over 20 years. He said he would be proud to on the same ticket with John McCain. Since John McCain didn't choose him, he accepted Obama's offer.
BIG FLIP FLOP -- since Biden said earlier this year that Obama wasn't qualified to be President.
Same old politics -- just power --- that's what this is all about.
Politicians -- saying anything to get elected.
The worst of the economy has been for the past 2 years with the Democrats in control of the purse strings.
They have made things worse not better.
When all is said and done you need Americans for America in congress -- not Democrats and Republicans who put party first and spend 99% of the time trying to make each other look bad.
Posted by: gracie | Aug 23, 2008 5:50:20 PM
Ooow, a one word "slip" in a 15 minute almost flawless speech, you McCrazy's and Hillary sore losers really got something there - WOW!
The only slip that is going to happen in the next week is going to be McCain slipping in the polls!
Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha!!
Obama/Biden '08-'12!!!
Posted by: Davis | Aug 23, 2008 5:51:31 PM
Next time try Beavis and Butthead! They would be equivalent to Obumhead and Buten! Either way, I don't care who you stick along side a loser like Obumma!
Posted by: Ed | Aug 23, 2008 5:51:51 PM
Saddlesablazing, get a real blog to address you bad comments on.
Posted by: William | Aug 23, 2008 5:52:30 PM
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