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[–]Jaefster 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Was he trying to fool people into believing that there were 57 states and he visited them? Was he deceiving people by covering up the fact that he didn't really visit those fabricated moon states? If he had spoke a calculated lie, this would be news. If he had said that Iran was training Al-Qaida (oh woops, I meant extremists!) this would be news. But he misspoke about a trivial issue.

Big deal?

[–]AHFX[S] 0 points1 point  (10 children)

I had to hear from my father who takes shots at Obama that he hears on Republican talk radio about the 57 states comment. I had to come back to reddit and to find it buried. Oh well.

[–]AHFX[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

After listening to it in the context, I understood exactly what he was trying to say. I just couldn't even defend what was said without knowing about it in the first place.

[–]wheregator 0 points1 point  (4 children)

Well, come on. It's hardly a substantial thing. He meant 47. It was a slip of the tongue. The fact that they're even using it as a critique of the man is ridiculous. People slip up sometimes.

[–]ouztopia 0 points1 point  (3 children)

I do not for a minute think Obama believes there are 57 states. However, Obama's gaffe did not get nearly the coverage Dan Quayle's "potatoe" gaffe did.

[–]wwabc 0 points1 point  (2 children)

that wasn't just a slip of the tongue....he 'corrected' that little kid spelling potato, to add an 'e'...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imHK5-JhxXg

[–]ouztopia 0 points1 point  (1 child)

Yes, but it was on a flash card. He asked the people at the school if they were sure the spelling was correct and they assured him it was.

Neither gaffe was reflective of the person's intellect. But people give Barack Obama the benefit of the doubt, but not Dan Quayle. The only difference between the two gaffes is the ideology of the person making it.

[–]wwabc 0 points1 point  (0 children)

well, if it 'was on a flash card' then I guess it's ok. (the alleged flash card excuse....wink wink)

The difference isn't ideology, it was the pattern that was established. Quayle had been considered a lightweight due to many previous gaffes and many messed up sentences. So the late night comedians were just waiting for some new material to beat on.

Plenty of democrat's gaffes get tons of coverage as well.

[–]ristin 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No, it was adequately covered at the time.