"Biden Fires Up the Gaffe-o-Matic" - Newsweek, this needs to be fact checked and debunked

[steve2470]

http://blog.newsweek.com/blogs/stumper/archive/2008/09/23/biden-turns-on-the-gaffe-machine.aspx

Biden's string of slip-ups started last Monday. Asked by NBC's Meredith Vieira whether the Fed should bail out insurance giant AIG, the senator said no: "I don't think they should be bailed out by the federal government." Unfortunately, the remark had more in common with McCain's initial position on the bailout (instinctive opposition) than Obama's carefully cultivated claim that he would not "second-guess" the government. When the bailout went through, both Biden and McCain bowed to reality. But the shift left Obama in a tricky position--as Matt Lauer pointed out this morning on "Today." Noting that Obama had been hitting McCain for flip-flopping on the AIG bailout, Lauer asked the Illinois senator how he could criticize his Republican rival when his own running mate had made the same mistake. His answer? "I think Joe should have waited, as well." Awkward.

The past few days have been even worse. Speaking Thursday on ABC's "Good Morning America," Biden not only acknowledged that the wealthy would pay higher taxes if if he and Obama won the White House but said that doing so would be "patriotic." "It's time to be patriotic," he said. "Time to jump in, time to be part of the deal, time to help get America out of the rut." Whether or not you agree with that sentiment, emphasizing that Obama would raise rates on rich folks (instead of saying that he'd lower them on the middle-classes) was clearly off-message--and the "patriotism" sound bite gave the GOP something catchy to hang its "redistribution of wealth" hat on. Accompanied by a sarcastic ad, McCain's response was scathing: "Raising taxes in a tough economy isn't patriotic. It's not a badge of honor. It's just dumb policy." Expect to hear more on Biden's idea of patriotism before Nov. 4.

Incredibly, though, the senator seems to have saved the worst for last. Asked last night by Katie Couric on the "CBS Evening News," Biden delivered what has to be most off-message statement yet: that one of his campaign's own ads--the spot released earlier this month mocking McCain for not being able to use a computer--was "terrible." "I didn't know we did it and if I had anything to do with it, we would have never done it," he said. The campaign was soon forced to issue a less-than-convincing clarification in Biden's name. (Apparently he'd "never seen" the ad.") Meanwhile, video surfaced this morning of Biden telling a rope-line environmentalist in Ohio that he and Obama "are not supporting clean coal" in America--even though Obama, well, is. McCain quickly pounced, using Biden's error to pivot away from Wall Street and make the case that Democrats don't support comprehensive energy solutions; conference calls and ads are in the works. Biden may have opposed the technology in the primaries--he's on record as saying "clean-coal ... is not the route to go in the United States"--but he should probably brush up on his briefing books (or pay attention to his own speeches) now that his boss disagrees.

more at link above

[elleng]

1. Its the HEADLINE that should be 'debunked!

The 'substance' ain't nuttin! (except he has a mind of his own??? Imagine THAT!)

[theoldman]

2. I guess his debate with Palin will show if he is smart or dumb.

[tazkcmo]

3. I agree with Joe on all points

Fuck AIG and all the other leeches. We ALL need to pay taxes so we can pay down our 10 trillion dollar debt. I also think we should be talking about Keating 5 and not computer literacy to sink McCain.

[Youphemism]

4. I tend to agree that these are gaffes. But he stumbled while Palin fell headlong into dog poop...

They definitely need to talk to Biden about this stuff -- I'm sure they have. But while these are embarrassing goofs, they don't impact anyone's assessment of his ability to do the job. Every candidate in this election (all elections) have some flipflops under their belts.

Palin, on the other hand, desperately needs to convince voters she's not a joke. But her interviews have been doing the opposite.

It's like chopping down a tree. Take one swing at a time, don't try to fell the whole bugger in any one whack, and once you hear the crackling and groaning, just stand back and let nature take its course.

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

6. These are minor, off-the-cuff remarks

Some of which are factually correct, just not packaged the way the Democrats would like them presented to the public.

Compared to Palin's public utterances, Biden is not a problem.

[Kdillard]

5. Huh those aren't gaffes. They show he has a mind of his own.

I may or may not agree with him on all points but I wouldn't consider them gaffes. It is why Obama wanted him in the first place. He is honest and I like those qualities in the man who will hopefully be our vp. The media is really stretching to try to build this gaffe narritive around JB. I also think he has been very on message.

[A-Schwarzenegger]

7. If that's the worst they got ...

[1corona4u]

8. I don't think much of any of it....

but I have debunked the coal thing, like 500 times now. Biden, and Obama both support the clean coal technology exploration. There are many videos on the internet that back this position up. Do a search for Biden on energy on YT.

As far as the rest of it; I'm tired of simple minded people building mountains out of fucking molehills, because they have nothing better to do with their time.

Oh, and he was right about that ad. For 2 days, on this board, everyone bitched about it. Now, all of a sudden, Joe was wrong for saying it outloud? Bullshit.

Fuck Newsweek, and anyone else who continues to put this trash out to start trouble. Even on this board.

But I did just give the writer a piece of my mind.

[dsc]

9. Biden was very right about the ad

My dad, who is 72 and doesn't use a computer, found the ad downright offensive. He is voting for Obama but one has to wonder what a similarly positioned swing voter would have done.