Democrat presidential candidate Barack Obama made another gaffe on the campaign trail Friday when he suggested at a luncheon hosted by the Cuban American National Foundation that Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez came to power while George W. Bush was in the White House.
Chavez was first elected president in 1998, and reelected in 2000, both occurring while Bill Clinton was serving his second term.
This was not the only gaffe Obama made in Florida Friday, for at another campaign stop, the junior senator from Illinois several times referred to the city of Sunrise as "Sunshine." This comes a week after calling Sioux Falls, South Dakota, "Sioux City," and two weeks after saying that America has 57 states.
Will Obama-loving media ever cover these gaffes?
While you ponder, here's the text of Obama's mistake concerning Chavez (video embedded upper right, relevant section begins at minute 2:50, h/t LGF):
Since the Bush Administration launched a misguided war in Iraq, its policy in the Americas has been negligent toward our friends, ineffective with our adversaries, disinterested in the challenges that matter in peoples’ lives, and incapable of advancing our interests in the region. No wonder, then, that demagogues like Hugo Chavez have stepped into this vacuum.
Are these gaffes ever going to get reported?
This is a presidential election, and the man who is likely to be the Democrat nominee doesn't seem to know how many states are in our union, what city he's in when he's campaigning, or when our enemies came to power.
Isn't this newsworthy?
After all, if McCain made these errors on the stump, media would be claiming it to be early signs of Alzheimer's, and that would be the end of his campaign.
Those interested in more on the differences between how the press cover Democrat and Republican gaffes should read Michelle Malkin's fabulous piece on this subject from last Wednesday.
—Noel Sheppard is the Associate Editor of NewsBusters. Follow him at Facebook and Twitter.
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
A Giraffe of A Gaffe
May 25, 2008 - 14:24 ET by third eyeSpeaking of gaffes
"Obama cited Franklin Roosevelt and Harry Truman
as presidents who met with enemies. Does he know no history? Neither
Roosevelt nor Truman ever met with any of the leaders of the Axis
powers. Obama must be referring to the pictures he's seen of Roosevelt
and Stalin at Yalta, and Truman and Stalin at Potsdam. Does he not know
that at that time Stalin was a wartime ally?"
The Good Dr. Charles Krauthammer in his must read article this week.
http://www.washingto...
Krauthammer shows that
May 25, 2008 - 15:20 ET by motherbeltKrauthammer shows that Obama is operating way out of his league. I love the way he asks "Does he know no history at all????? And then answers his own question. LOL
And Michelle Malkin has a collection of his bloopers (not policy blunders), which will also be swept under the rug....Barack Obama, Gaffe Machine
Thank you third and mb
May 25, 2008 - 18:49 ET by DEVILDOCMOMI had missed those columns and I really enjoyed them. I have emailed them on to friends. Charles Krauthammer is the best person on FOX. I always look for his appearances.
Sadly, to answer the question Noel posed, no, the heavily liberal, biased in favor of bho media will never even mention his ignorance of our country and its history. We all know why.
It seems as if bho is following the advice Harrison Ford gave the actor playing the president in "Clear and Present Danger" essentially embracing your mistakes and building on them. At least on these issues, that is...
Hussein O is a empty suit
May 26, 2008 - 08:10 ET by ChiefE9Hussein O. faces trouble on several fronts in the general election with blue-collar workers and other parts of the electorate who question his lack of experience, foreign-policy judgment and social liberalism
Also, remember his priority won't be Homeland Security but social liberalism.
Kraut is a cranky
May 26, 2008 - 10:25 ET by docbold clinton pusher..This is ridiculous beyond the absurb... When people have been digging into Obama's past and have come up with nothing substantive they revert to the silly and stupid.
»→ docb
May 26, 2008 - 10:36 ET by Cool ArrowSo $27,500 to an admittedly racist organization, last year alone, doe4s not qualify as "substantive"?
You must make a lot of money.
LYDSEXICS UNTIE!
docb....
May 26, 2008 - 11:42 ET by motherbeltWhen people have been digging into Obama's past and have come up with nothing substantive they revert to the silly and stupid. -docb
So now correcting Obama's misconception that Truman and Roosevelt met with our enemies is revert[ing] to the silly and stupid?
If he is to be allowed to spew erroneous history as "facts" without contradiction, pray tell, then, exactly what is it permissible to criticize the Obama about? Are we just to accept and marvel at the divine wisdom that spills forth from his lips?
"When people have been
May 26, 2008 - 10:58 ET by NL207"When people have been digging into Obama's past and have come up with nothing substantive"
Obama in earlier years maintained associations with the Rev. Wright and William Ayers.
Wright is an overt racist who used his pulpit to preach black radicalsim in place of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Obama attended this for many years. Either Obama agrees with this philosophy or was doing so for some kind of political advantage. Either choice speaks volumes about what kind of man Obama actually is.
Ayers is a former Weather Undergrounder who used to plant bombs to blow up public buildings. He was in the 1960's what today would be described as a terrorist. His recent students report that nothing has changed about his philosophy but the means of implementation. He is still Weather Underground. Obama has regarded Ayers as a MENTOR for years. That Obama keeps a highly suspect association like this is telling about what Obama actually believes. It is like keeping Osama bin Laden as your spiritual adviser.
Obama has been instructed and indoctrinated by two public enemies for 20 years. These two associations are enough for me to decide Obama should not hold elective office of any kind. They should be enough for the vast majority of Americans to draw the same conclusions. That is most certainly substantive. That you don't think so is indicative of your judgement skills.
3rd Eye
May 25, 2008 - 15:13 ET by BlondeExcellent link. I love Charles Krauthammer.
David Gregory, do you know which damn network you lie for? ~ Uncle Jimbo, @Blackfive
a two-fer in one weekend
May 25, 2008 - 17:29 ET by mom_roxAdd the Clint Eastwood gem presented by WTH:
That's two KO's for the "old guys".
A government that robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend on the support of Paul.
- George Bernard Shaw, 1944
Love your signature quote
May 25, 2008 - 21:06 ET by Scout FinchLove your signature quote from Shaw. Sums up the Democratic Party platform in one sentence.
don't forget the Chavistas
May 25, 2008 - 23:04 ET by mom_roxThanks SF - I first read this quote in the 1980's, but I saw it in action in 1998 when Chavez was elected. (I was living in Venezuela at the time.)
A government that robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend on the support of Paul.
- George Bernard Shaw, 1944
My........oh my. How could
May 25, 2008 - 21:05 ET by Scout FinchMy........oh my. How could anyone vote in such a disastrous simpleton for President of the United States?
For eight years, the press has labeled GWB a simpleton. But that was gratuitous name-calling they managed to make stick. But Obama, through his numerous and compounded gaffes, displays what a true simpleton is, and is very dangerous to this country.
Chavez. Obama. Doesn't matter
May 25, 2008 - 14:45 ET by Gary HallChavez. Obama. Doesn't matter. Little stuff.
What matters is whether or not Obama knows the price of a gallon of milk.
He does, doesn't he? And of course the price of a gallon jug of wine.
Me? I have no idea of the price of a gallon of milk (or the Boone's). We buy it by the quart (the milk, that is).
On the other hand, I was deeply aware of the election of Hugo the thug Chavez, and and the election failures (in spite of what Carter had to offer), and concerned about the future of our side of the globe. Hey, he's just a Senator and a candidate for Pres.
(;~>
Obama is only good at
May 25, 2008 - 15:00 ET by bigtimerObama is only good at delivering sweet nothing speeches...he is really just an empty suit with an empty head, put in place by someone wealthy people behind the scenes like Soros IMO...he is their sock puppet and it is showing more and more as time goes on...the msm will of course ignore this all, it is too late to turn back now for them....they will defend and protect him to the end....reminds me of another dem they did the same for, only difference is Clinton team wasn't as dim-witted as Obama.
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Churchill
Afternoon, bt....I agree.
May 25, 2008 - 15:11 ET by motherbeltAfternoon, bt....I agree. He is good at rhetoric, but pretty much an empty suit otherwise. That's why every rebuttal consists of they are using the same old politics.....
Unfortunately, he is enamored of his own eloquence. I have no doubt he thinks if he keeps talking, he can turn it around and explain it all away....
Howdy howdy mb... I tell
May 25, 2008 - 15:19 ET by bigtimerHowdy howdy mb...
I tell you Obama's arrogance is getting mighty sickening to me...it is so obvious too anymore....he wont change it either, believing in his own press with the msm aiding him all the way...I wished he would fall flat on his face soon...but I know that is only dreaming...unless Hill has something up her sleeve to come yet, which I don't think she does or she would of put it out there already you would of thought...of course you never know about the Clinton machine...lol.
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Churchill
I have no doubt he thinks if
May 25, 2008 - 21:10 ET by Scout FinchI have no doubt he thinks if he keeps talking, he can turn it around and explain it all away....
Some kids use the same strategy with their parents. I hope it smacks Obama in the forehead like a screen door the same way.
That's no Gaffe..that's History as the Democrats know it
May 25, 2008 - 15:02 ET by JayTeeWait till the Dems re-write History and eliminate Obama's Gaffe's retroactively.
That's the REAL Obama out there....and his Staff ain't much smarter than he is, they gots lots of money, but no Brains.
I'm beginning to question our Harvard graduates ....Michelle ....and where ever Obama Gradumated frum.....
60; not 57
May 25, 2008 - 15:02 ET by scamoramaActually, he said he'd been to 57 states, with one left to go, and couldn't go to Alaska or Hawaii.
That makes 60.
I caught that the other
May 25, 2008 - 15:13 ET by motherbeltI caught that the other day...I sent a comment to the guy who made the pin, kidding him that he might have to make a new one. He said he knew, but the "57" was what stuck out and became familiar, so he went with that.
Obama's 57 Varieties
May 25, 2008 - 15:50 ET by scamorama57 might be better in another way, too.
4 years ago we had Teresa Heinz's John Kerry, with his "57 ways I voted for/against the war."
Now, we have "Obama's 57 Varieties".
Chavez failed under Bush to get more terms for himself
May 25, 2008 - 15:12 ET by Dee BunkRemember that constitutional ammendment he was trying to pass Mr. Obama you clueless one?
It is beyond rediculous the kind of stuff these people spew. The MSM won't report it because they don't even think it's a mistake. They probably think Chavez came to power under Bush also. They are as stupid as Obama is.
Constitutional amendment,
May 25, 2008 - 15:14 ET by motherbeltConstitutional amendment, Dee? What did I miss??
Hugo tried to amend their
May 25, 2008 - 16:57 ET by ckc1227Hugo tried to amend their Constitution so he could basically rule indefinitely.
Oh, yeah, I had forgotten
May 25, 2008 - 17:10 ET by motherbeltOh, yeah, I had forgotten about that. Thanks! I was thinking here.
To paraphrase Dee Bunk:The
May 25, 2008 - 20:48 ET by the strugglerTo paraphrase Dee Bunk:The Mainstream Media is as stupid as Obama.
Ha!Excellent.
Hey, a few mistakes about
May 25, 2008 - 15:21 ET by zhombreHey, a few mistakes about the small stuff doesn't detract from Obama's electability. So what if he talks about Washington and the Continental Army spending a long hard winter at Pigeon Forge before going on to defeat Lord Vader and the British troops at Appomattox? This is a candidate who graduated from Harvard and like taught Constitutional law.
Hey zhombre... I just
May 25, 2008 - 15:25 ET by bigtimerHey zhombre...
I just heard about him teaching Constitutional law this week, somewhere all these months I have missed that fact...
SPOOKY isn't it?
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Churchill
Having heard his opinion on
May 25, 2008 - 15:38 ET by zhombreHaving heard his opinion on what kind of judges he would nominate to the SCOTUS if elected, I'd say I'm appalled by the fact. I'd rather Penn & Teller lectured to law students.
Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?
May 25, 2008 - 21:19 ET by Scout FinchWas it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor? Obama might have received his diplomacy lessons from Blutarsky in Animal House. About what you'd expect from a Harvard grad.
One word: Strategery. :-)
May 25, 2008 - 21:26 ET by balboaOne word: Strategery. :-)
"Strategery" is not a
May 26, 2008 - 10:35 ET by NL207"Strategery" is not a candidate for President. "Visited all 57 states" is.
"Strategery" has been prez
May 26, 2008 - 10:40 ET by balboa"Strategery" has been prez for 8 years. So I don't see why "Visited all 57 states" can't be.
Well, bal, President Bush
May 26, 2008 - 10:47 ET by motherbeltWell, bal, President Bush never actually said "strategery".....that's an urban legend. It is from an SNL skit, with Will Ferrell using it while playing President Bush.
I know. It's just come to
May 26, 2008 - 10:49 ET by balboaI know. It's just come to symbolize the verbal acrobatics of Bush.
»→ Thanks bal
May 26, 2008 - 10:54 ET by Cool ArrowSo if we repeat it often enough, is it OK to have Larry Sinclair become the symbol of Obama's Liberal slant? (not that there's anything wrong with it)
LYDSEXICS UNTIE!
Bal
May 26, 2008 - 11:03 ET by motherbeltBal, so you are saying your comment was "fake but accurate"? Right...let's keep track starting now of how long the "57 states" is allowed to tar Obama before someone on his side throws a fit.
And if you think that is his only gaffe...read the Malkin column I linked to. He will probably surpass Bush before November.
And balboa prooves our point
May 26, 2008 - 11:07 ET by Dee Bunkhow the media and Hollywood can leave false impressions and mold one person who makes mistakes into a bumbling idiot (to the point where people attribute things to him that he didn't say) and another person who makes mistakes into a scholarly Professor, eloquent speaker, and so called moderate even though none of it is true.
»→ Dee
May 26, 2008 - 11:11 ET by Cool ArrowI'm still trying to figure out if the "professor Obama" thing isan attempt to boost the prestige of Professors or Obama.
LYDSEXICS UNTIE!
Dee, that is the same thing
May 26, 2008 - 11:34 ET by motherbeltDee, that is the same thing that happened with Limbaugh and the "Magic Negro" comment. Libs didn't care when a white LA Times columnist called Obama that, but when Rush made his use of it into a parody, the story ended up being that he was the one who called Obama the "Magic Negro" and they were all outraged.
Balboa thinks that Obama's revision of history in order to justify his present policy position (IOW either lying or brazen ignorance) is the equivalent of President Bush's mispronouncing words.
Right MB
May 26, 2008 - 11:43 ET by Dee Bunkthey do it all the time. It's amazing that any of us are able to be conservative with all the brain washing out there. Rush is mild in comparison to the stuff liberal hosts and commentators spew and yet he is successfully portrayed as this evil person. He's a very nice man, nicer than Al Franken, Bill Maher, Paul Begala, Carville, Maureen Dowd, Katrina Vanden Heuvel, Dick Durbin and thousands of other liberals who are not demonized by the press in the same way.
»→ MB?
May 26, 2008 - 10:51 ET by Cool ArrowWhat makes you think a Liberal is required to verify his/her comments?
He's filed "strategery" away as fact by now.
LYDSEXICS UNTIE!
Obama can take his sweet
May 25, 2008 - 15:54 ET by badger.Obama can take his sweet strutting time to explain himself as often as he wishes. MSM has his back all the way to the white house, no matter what. The educated MSM journalist will translate exactly what Obama meant to say, (in the right context of course) whether we like it or not. To the uneducated, racist, Bubba Factor/Donut Counties/Fly Over States.
The Facts Don't matter
May 25, 2008 - 16:13 ET by ChasvsNothing, I repeat Nothing this guy does or says that is racist, stupid or sexist is going to amke a difference with the MSM and Liberal Facists out there.
Saint Obama is going to be annointed as our new Lord and Saviour in November. Any "issues" he has as a candidate and President/Lord will be the fault of us biggoted Conservatives!
We are So Screwed!
The dems keep making verbal
May 25, 2008 - 17:04 ET by ckc1227The dems keep making verbal gaffes because their sole objective is to say something bad about Bush, or tie something bad to Bush, no matter what. As a result, they don't actually think about what they say when it comes to Bush, they just say it, knowing that they'll never get called on the accuracy of the statement.
Gaffe attack
May 25, 2008 - 18:02 ET by dboIn a debate last August Obama also referred to "the President of Canada" when in fact Canada has a Prime Minister.
Obama keeps talking
May 25, 2008 - 18:47 ET by jefflebowskibut he doesn't say anything. "We need to perfect America." Now that's a great line. I'd love just once to hear how imperfect America is and how he plans to perfect it. What a incredible tool representing the left.
Hitlery must be hating life wondering how she could have squandered her coronation to this!
The Nutty Non-Professor Obama
May 25, 2008 - 19:22 ET by Jack BauerI was shocked to think that a University Professor could make so many basic mistakes...
Then I found out that the OMSM (Obama Mainstreet Media) was lying there to...
Senator Obama is NOT and never has been a Professor (though he is mad).. he was a PART TIME LECTURER at the University of Chicago -- a grade or three below professor)
Jack, Thanks so much,
May 25, 2008 - 19:32 ET by bigtimerJack,
Thanks so much, here all this time I thought I had missed something somewhere with Obama and him being a Professor of Constitutional Law...leave it to the msm to attempt to embellish his record, if I were them I sure wouldn't use that for a reference, my gawd, they have to know there is a thing called the internet and people like you are going to delve into it...
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Churchill
bt -- definitely only a
May 25, 2008 - 19:49 ET by Jack Bauerbt -- definitely only a part-time "lecturer" in constititional law. I think the ranks go like this
Also for follow up.. we've all heard about Michelle Obama's Princeton graduate thesis... but she ain't actually running for President.
So... where's Obama's thesis?
Jack...and the msm will not
May 25, 2008 - 19:59 ET by bigtimerJack...and the msm will not ask him for it either now will they?
Makes one wonder, they must already have a clue to what is in the thesis, or are afraid of what they may uncover about their little leftist messiah.
Inquiring minds want to know.
Wonder how long it may take someone like Hannity to get to that...
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Churchill
From The University of
May 25, 2008 - 22:47 ET by stratmanFrom The University of Chicago Law School's web page:
According to Wikipedia:
In essence, Obama began as little more than a Teacher's Assistant, but was titled as Lecturer because he had already obtained his advanced degree (JD) instead of still working towards his advanced degree as TA's do.
Obama was never an actual Professor because he was neither tenured nor bestowed high rank or recognition by the department/school.
strat -- thanks for the
May 26, 2008 - 05:11 ET by Jack Bauerstrat -- thanks for the research.
Three courses in a WHOLE year?
Wow -- he was really stretched. That must have taken its toll.
So while I just winged the titles, I was essentially correct in that he is WAY below the INFLATED status and prestige the MSM still tries to bestow upon him.
He is constantly misleadingly refered to as a Law "Professor."
I heard it again on Hannity's America last night when some guy from the Chicago Tribune, who has written a book on Obama, said just that.
This is patronizing racism at its worst, and reminds me of TV shows in which every young black victim of something is always an "honor" student. Can't be just an ordinary Joe -- has to be extra-special.
Show us your thesis Obama.
Even the Chicago University
May 26, 2008 - 10:39 ET by stratmanEven the Chicago University Law School fuzzes the issue by referring to Obama as (lower case "p") "professor", an informal reference to any teacher while not technically referring to rank in any fashion.
So, yes, it is inflated, misleading and propaganda particularly when used ingeniously by those who should and do know better.
I was not aware Obama had written a thesis. If it has been withheld from release, why do I suspect that its contents would have a connection to the Marxist leanings of his young adulthood? If it was about the USSR, why not release it and prove his intellect on foreign matters?
RRAM Tough!
Wow - they fooled me Jack and Strat
May 26, 2008 - 10:52 ET by Dee Bunkthanks for setting the record straight about the professor status. I also didn't know that he had not released his thesis. The media are pathetic. The Republicans better demand this in the General. How unbelievable that a Presidential candidate can think their thesis should be kept secret especially one who complains about secrecy.
»→ professor Obama
May 26, 2008 - 10:59 ET by Cool ArrowIf I, or my mom or dad, were a real Professor, I'd take it as an insult that just anybody can be called Professor at the whim of the media.
But obviously Liberals have no problem with it or we'd have heard from them by now.
I guess being a Professor isn't such an honor after all.
LYDSEXICS UNTIE!
IIRC, Hilary's thesis was
May 26, 2008 - 12:21 ET by stratmanIIRC, Hilary's thesis was also not released. And her university changed their policy on releasing students' publications to the general public when Hilary ran for the Senate.
RRAM Tough!
It has since been released.
May 26, 2008 - 14:39 ET by motherbeltIt has since been released. If you ever need something to put you to sleep, you can read it here.
Motherbelt: Thank you for
May 26, 2008 - 16:58 ET by stratmanMotherbelt:
Thank you for the link. It is a sleeping aid.
And it's non-addictive. Who wants to keep reading the mewlings of a twenty year old poor little rich girl radical wannabee.
bt, Now we know who "The professor," who posted here WAS!!
May 25, 2008 - 19:54 ET by upcountrywaterthat piece of work is going to be CIC...NOOO
Liberals62%
IranianUranium
with all of his ignorant comments
May 25, 2008 - 19:39 ET by mister josephi keep waiting for him to turn into annie lee moss.
Gaffes? What gaffes?
May 25, 2008 - 19:45 ET by needleWill Obama-loving media ever cover these gaffes?
If you would only check out the latest Post-Modern dictionary of the American Language, you would learn that:
Gaffe refers to “a silly blunder that a non-liberal or anti-liberal person makes.”
(If you have trouble actually finding the above mentioned dictionary, don’t worry about it; it itself is a Post-Modern fiction[ary].)
Impunitas semper ad deteriora invitat.
Reminds me of Bill Clinton
May 25, 2008 - 19:53 ET by bigtimerReminds me of Bill Clinton and his little snafu's when convenient...with the msm loving to use that word ad nauseum, when he was caught in outright LIES.
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Churchill
BO is a gaffe
May 25, 2008 - 20:44 ET by j17ghsBO stinks! He is a complete idiot. There are 57 Islamic states. Gee, I wonder how Hussein, a/k/a BO boy, confused that with 50 U.S. states?!?
The emotion being poured into his candicacy makes him a Hitler-type figure. And don't forget that western Muslims aligned themselves with the Third Reich, especially in Africa. He will destroy us because he is an idiot backed by psychopaths.
Is this typical of Harvard
May 26, 2008 - 04:03 ET by marvlIs this typical of Harvard educated politicians? God help us. I think William F. Buckley Jr hit the nail on the head when he quipped, “I'd rather entrust the government of the United States to the first 400 people listed in the Boston telephone directory than to the faculty of Harvard University.”
Preview of the future
May 26, 2008 - 06:41 ET by Blogger Guy00001A sign of things to come. Obama will be given a free pass much longer than most new presidents. Any criticism will be called racist.
Independence Day celebration?
May 26, 2008 - 08:25 ET by CharliedocBHO opens his speech, thankful to be joining in this "Independence Day celebration."
The date on the video clip is 23 May 2008.
Did I miss another month?
»→ Noel
May 26, 2008 - 09:47 ET by Cool ArrowIs this really a gaffe?
Is it not just as likely a lie?
We can by now safely say anything Obama says will be accepted uncontested by the MSM.
I swear, If Obama were to say the Republican who followed FDR, Harry Truman, had no right to bomb Hiroshima, the MSM would be three stories into the expose' before starting their backpedaling.
LYDSEXICS UNTIE!
Good point Cool
May 26, 2008 - 10:05 ET by Dee Bunkthey often intentionally put stuff like that out there to make the public see false correlations. It's hard to say. Obama and the dems certainly do it with other things like quoting homeless numbers and other bogus stuff that they can't back up and the media take it as fact.