Election 2008 Gaffs

With the aim of clarifying what the 2008 Election candidates might have or might not have said according to the printed media and the blogosphere, here is a list of the most well known alleged gaffs to date. Gaff scores are purely subjective.

While John McCain seems to be content with a continual stream of average gaffs and the odd highlight, Barack Obama hits a couple of home runs, Joe Biden just keeps coming back with whoppers and Sarah McCain hasn't been in the public eye long enough to be caught out. Watch this space for updates.

John McCain

Well, it’s common knowledge and has been reported
in the media that Al Qaeda is going back into
Iran and receiving training and are coming back
into Iraq from Iran. That’s well known. And it’s
unfortunate.”

“I’m sorry, the Iranians are training extremists,
not Al Qaeda,” he said

Score On Gaff Scale 6/10

McCain told The Pueblo Chieftan that he
wants to renegotiate the 1922 Colorado River compact

Score on Gaff Scale 7/10

“It’s indisputable that (autism) is on the rise amongst children,
the question is what’s causing it. And we go back and forth and there’s
strong evidence that indicates that it’s got to do with a
preservative in vaccines.”

Score on Gaff Scale 6/10

When asked about current fuel prices McCain went on to say, "I don't
recall, and frankly, I don't see how it matters

Score on Gaff Scale 3/10

“Oil executives” tell me my energy plan is awesome

Score on Gaff Scale 7/10

"The fundamentals of our economy are strong"

Score on Gaff Scale 7/10

"All the king’s consultants can’t keep this tube pumped"

Score on Gaff Scale 3/10

Confusion over whether Spain is in Europe or South America

Score on Gaff Scale 7/10

McCain unsure how many houses he owns

Score on Gaff Scale 9/10

Barack Obama

"I've been in 57 states, (with) I think one left to go."

Score on Gaff Scale 6/10

"Lipstick on a Pig"

Score on Gaff Scale 10/10

Obama regrets saying soldiers' lives 'wasted'

Score on Gaff Scale 8/10

Joe Biden

Biden asks man in a wheelchair to stand up

Score on Gaff Scale 9/10

Joe Biden contradicts his own running mates policy favoring clean coal power plants

Score on Gaff Scale 1/10

Biden on Clinton: She 'Might Have Been a Better Pick Than Me'

Score on Gaff Scale 8/10

Biden says he and Obama could pursue criminal charges against the Bush administration if they are elected in November

Score on Gaff Scale 10/10

About Illinois Sen. Obama: “I mean, you got the first mainstream African American who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy.”

Score on Gaff Scale 10/10

“you cannot go to a 7-Eleven or a Dunkin’ Donuts unless you have a slight Indian accent.”

Score on Gaff Scale 10/10

"When the stock market crashed, Franklin Roosevelt got on the television and didn’t just talk
about the princes of greed,” Biden told Couric. “He said, ‘Look, here’s what happened.’”

Score on Gaff Scale 8/10

Sarah Palin

"many" other vice presidential nominees in history hadn't met a head of state either.

Score on Gaff Scale 6/10

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