August 23, 2008
Posted: 04:50 PM ET

From
The McCain campaign is seizing on Obama's slip-of-the-tongue.
The McCain campaign is seizing on Obama's slip-of-the-tongue.

(CNN) – Barack Obama accidentally introduced his running mate Joe Biden as the next president of the United States Saturday, a slip-of-the-tongue the McCain campaign is calling "Freudian."

“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," McCain campaign spokesman Ben Porritt said. "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.”

Another McCain aide told CNN Obama "slipped with the truth that his own experience is too underwhelming to be president."

The slip-up came earlier Saturday as the Illinois senator introduced Joe Biden for the first time as his vice presidential candidate, saying "The next president," before quickly correcting.

Filed under: Barack Obama • John McCain


Mika, OK   August 23rd, 2008 9:55 pm ET

McCain and the Republicans are losing their touch. Today Nancy Pfotenhauer, a McCain Campaign Spokeswoman, answered a question about McCain's V.P. pick by saying "My office is under a "cone of silence'… " . She was there to talk-up the gaffe mentioned and gaffed herself. I'm sure no one in the McCain camp wanted her to remind anyone of that mistake he made.

Nathan Hale   August 23rd, 2008 9:52 pm ET

Perhaps you ought to re-write my comment so that it suits your political philosophy. There are plenty of more vitriolic, nasty comments that are anti-McCain and anti-Republican but you don't seem to mind those. Don't pretend to be an open forum when you don't take contrary opinions that are factually correct. Your censorship is no better than the Nazis was in Hitler Germany, print only what pleases the Reich.

ABG   August 23rd, 2008 9:51 pm ET

If you cannot even remember to say Vice President at this much awaited moment, then we all really need to take a look at who is running for President.

Obama's "mistake" today is just as good as saying there are 57 states. What is wrong with him?

His staff cannot blame his lapse on campaigning. He just got back from vacation.

I can only hope Hillary's 18,000,000 voters who got dissed by Obama by continually disrespecting her, rise up and say NO WAY to Obama being our next President.

Hillary 2012!

vetobeer   August 23rd, 2008 9:51 pm ET

McCain 'gaffes'??? NAH, NO WAY! I really did believe he meant to VETO BEER!!!

Audrey   August 23rd, 2008 9:50 pm ET

I don't think Obama made a mistake. In his speech, he said over and over that he found a leader and that leader is Biden. When he introduced Biden as the next President, he was only saying what he was secretly thinking. Obama wants the title of President but Biden will run the country. Isn't this what we've had for the last 8 years? I want to elect someone who is qualified to be President and who will actually serve as President.

I used to be a Democrat   August 23rd, 2008 9:50 pm ET

Well, those no doubt that Biden would be a better candidate than Obama.

We can't afford the on the job training Obama needs.

NC   August 23rd, 2008 9:49 pm ET

is this all McCain campaign got to get in the news today,President -Vice President they both will have the word president some where in front of their name so who cares as long as they win,what a sad issue ,but i guess thats just being an American adult loser you have to find something to justify your means,by the way lets forbid all adults from voting and let the children play this game come November its their future because all some of us think about is oourselves and care less about their future maybe thats why so many of them are killed,raped and abused in the US today

Nathan Hale   August 23rd, 2008 9:47 pm ET

Obama has not a single sponsored piece of important legislation. When a room full of Obama supporters of all ages were asked by the host of a town meeting to name one important accomplishment, not a one of the thirty supporters could name a single thing and I'll bet that not a single one of the bloggers on here can either. When he was an Illinois legislator, he voted present over 200 times because he didn't have the guts to vote on politically sensitive issues that might cloud his political future. Biden was right when he said that Obama isn't ready to lead. The reason for his precipitous drop in the polls in one month is that people are starting to realize for that all his rhetoric and high-sounding platitudes about change and hope, he is really not ready and has neither the experience nor the temperament for the most important job in the history of mankind in the most dangerous times in the history of the world. He wouldn't be allowed to be a CEO of any major corporation with his experience, why would anyone even begin to consider him. I agree with economist Ben Stein, Obama scares me to death, but not just on economic grounds: His friends, Rev. Wright, Bill Ayres, and Tony Rezko, tell me volumes about his lack of judgment, his real philosophy, and who he really is, more than any speech or sound-byte.

Remy   August 23rd, 2008 9:20 pm ET

Mccain is a real dumb and he is not a person with world politics. His Bom-Bom theory is to boast his financiers in the GUN industry and not for any American working family who are suffering from the republican foreign policis as well the internal policies.

Are the McCain camps telling to believe the comments during the primaries? Primary campaigns are over for ever and those comments were rejected by the voters. I hope Biden now realise the fact. That is why he agreed to be the VP to Obama.

yellowdoggie   August 23rd, 2008 7:20 pm ET

Go ahead and pick on Obama's mistake. You know what they say about karma, don't you?

buddha23   August 23rd, 2008 7:17 pm ET

And, uhhhh, McCain's repeatedly confused Iraq and Iran, Sunni and Shia, the various ethnicities in that region (and having to have Lieberman there to correct his myriad gaffes on his last Mideast trip). This also comes from the guy who walked through the market in Baghdad last year and essentially called it 'safe' – whilst being protected by a company of our nation's best young people and a bevy of combat helicopters. C'mon, Sen. McCain, grow up and start playing ball like a big boy.
By the way, John, what in hell does your POW experience have to do with you and the number of houses you own now. To hear his flacks talk, it's obvious he thinks that his unfortunate experience makes him immune to any form of criticism. Grow up, Senator McCain.

ron   August 23rd, 2008 7:17 pm ET

typical obamanites if mccain gaffs it's fair game when obama does it out comes the whining

Dave C - NJ   August 23rd, 2008 7:16 pm ET

Ha let's make a list of McCain slip ups….they are a lot worse than skipping the word "vice" during an introduction.

And Hillary is not worthy of dog catcher to all of you Spite Voters lol.

McGaffe   August 23rd, 2008 7:12 pm ET

Can we talk about the Sunni's and Shiites…the Iraqi Palistinian Border…lying about Tax Cuts…100 years in Iraq…not being opposed to a draft…the list goes on…

McCain is the last person to talk about gaffes/lies/outright stupid statements of any sort.

What?   August 23rd, 2008 6:39 pm ET

I hope McCain and camp have more then this. McCain has made so many mistake and he was reading from q-cards.

This is just as sad as those die heart Clinton …stalkers…ops…..supporters who are voting for McBush, but not paying her debt balance in full.

God help US………………………….

Geo Be.   August 23rd, 2008 6:32 pm ET

Too bad that Obama didn't have the kahones to pick Hillary. She has more kahones that he does.

But here is the cruxt of it all. I don't think that this country will survivie another 4 years of Republicans. So I will vote for Obama.

Really, I don't understand anyone who wants more Republican rule.
I guess the people who vote Republican are afraid that it might cost them a few bucks to get this country turned around.

I asked some acquaintances why they were going to vote Republican. He said that he would save $2100 on his taxes by voting Republican. Is that it? You'd sell out this country for a $2100?

Greed! Greed! Greed!

It makes me want to weep.

Redneck from Kentucky   August 23rd, 2008 6:31 pm ET

Al lthe McCain camp knows how to do is sit around looking for an opportunity to slam Obama over some stupid, insignificant stuff. Obviously they have nothing of significance to say about themselves. Same old dirty, negative, do nothing Washington politics. And McCain is embracing it as he has always done. Go Obama/Biden!

Enough Already!!!!!!   August 23rd, 2008 6:30 pm ET

To-Rosemarie Obama is a liar..Hillary was not on his short list…He never said she was on his Short list ….He said she could be on anyones Short list ….There you go nose into something that is none of your business The reporter visiting Obama half brother did not take a care package and you can always send one.Hillary is liar and she's fake…. Hillary stood before thousands and lied about Bosnia…I wonder if she had won the nomination would she have picked Senator Obama for VP…..No!! Help her pay her DEBT 18mil just $1.00.You guys just love to keep it going or you are posing as a Hillary supporter ….If Hillary had won no way I would demand her to put Obama on the Ticket or else …..That's BS

Oladayo Olaleye Lagos Nigeria   August 23rd, 2008 6:30 pm ET

It is not a new thing for someone to slip-up.Out of excitement,anything can be said by mistake by anybody and this can not be presumed to be factual ,provided it is immediately corrected.In the light of this,I don't think MCcain Camp should see this as a form of an attack.They had better look for a another strategy to launch a negative attack .Otherwise,they would turn themselves into a laughingstock.

tinpa   August 23rd, 2008 6:30 pm ET

mccain /clinton 08

Mike, Neb.   August 23rd, 2008 6:15 pm ET

BLAH BLAH BLAH, like McCain doesnt mix up his words on a daily basis. Someone is reaching for straws here…

Pam   August 23rd, 2008 6:15 pm ET

If this election is going to be lost on slips of the tongue, McCain might as well quit right now.

The truth   August 23rd, 2008 6:15 pm ET

See, people can always make mistake no matter what. But you guys the Obama supporters always fire and attack aggresively everytime McCain slips his tounge as if it were a big huge mistake.

Anyway, by looking at the primaries how well Joe Biden was in the primaries (even much lower than Bill Richardson, the 4th rank.), I don't think this is a good idea for Obama to pick Biden as VP. Don't hope too much they will win, fellows.

lynda   August 23rd, 2008 5:53 pm ET

I am so glad the Obama did not chose HRC for his running mate. If he had picked her I am sure the Democrats would have won. Now I don't think so.

Stupid Repubs   August 23rd, 2008 5:53 pm ET

Feable minded take simple thing and make it so big. That should show the character and the depth. As Obama said, instead oof lefting the country up, these McIdiots tear the decency out.
McBomBom-you have to control your champaign. Have a backbone.

Clinton/McCain   August 23rd, 2008 5:53 pm ET

Good one McCain.

McGaffe   August 23rd, 2008 5:53 pm ET

I think it's serious. . . . It's a serious situation, but there's a lot of things we need to do. We have a lot of work to do and I'm afraid it's a very hard struggle, particularly given the situation on the Iraq/Pakistan border," said McCain, R-Ariz., said on "Good Morning America."

Iraq and Pakistan do not share a border. Afghanistan and Pakistan do.

R, TX   August 23rd, 2008 5:53 pm ET

This coming from the self-proclaimed Georgean whose 'tangue' got 'tungled' pronoucing the name of country's president?

Max   August 23rd, 2008 5:53 pm ET

Czechoslovakia, Sunni and Shi'ite, four houses…

And this guy has the nuts to talk about Freudian slips. Yeesh.

David Newport, OR   August 23rd, 2008 5:46 pm ET

Is that the best they can do? How about a complaing that the 'ticket" isn't experienced enough? Oh wait…is that no longer is true? Awwww

Becky Montgomery   August 23rd, 2008 5:36 pm ET

Shall we make a list (and it will be loooooong) of McCain's gaffes? They have to do with countries and important facts a president should know, like how many houses he has and what car he drove? I'll bet he has never reconciled a checkbook.

Let's compare gaffes vs. gaffes. Winner takes all.

jimmy   August 23rd, 2008 5:36 pm ET

Y'ALL GO TO YOUTUBE AND GET MORE INFO AND POST YOUR COMMENTS.
CNN POSTS COMMENTS FAVORABLE TO THEIR CANDIDATES

Dem for McCain   August 23rd, 2008 5:36 pm ET

Obama was speaking the truth.

Jorge   August 23rd, 2008 5:35 pm ET

Funny that the McCain camp isn't talking about family values these days.

Tommy Hussein in St. Louis (I only have one house...that I know of)   August 23rd, 2008 5:18 pm ET

Even if this does somehow prove that Obama is not ready to be president (which, in my mind, is a really big IF), it's not necessarily a reason for us to vote for McCain. Even if we don't vote for Obama, we could still vote for Barr or Nader or countless other candidates.

I think it would be a good idea for the McCain campaign to stop jumping on every little pet peeve and hang-up they have about Obama, and tell us what McCain will do as president.

Rosemarie   August 23rd, 2008 5:17 pm ET

Obama is a liar..Hillary was not on his short list…He lost me way back anyway so no matter. What I have found intresting is a few days ago I saw a very short piece on Obama 's brother.. Living in proverty beyond belief and then nothing more said about this.. I mean what makes the American people think for a second he is going to wake up every day thinking and worrying about us when he could care less about his own blood not even a care package !!! I don't trust him never have he is no diffrent than most that runs for any office.. wants the power and money that goes along with it . God help this country !!!!!

Elly   August 23rd, 2008 5:16 pm ET

I never took that as a slip !
i thought he meant welcome to the next president (meaning himself) and vice-president Joe biden
i think people took it out of context as usual
its just McWar getting desperate!!!

YOLA   August 23rd, 2008 5:16 pm ET

Is this for real? McCain is a walking gaffe!

Chris   August 23rd, 2008 5:14 pm ET

This coming from the guy who talked about the Iraq-Pakistan Border? Pathetic…

Jay   August 23rd, 2008 5:13 pm ET

McCain has about THREE times as many Gaffes as Obama!!!
I would keep quiet if I were him.
This is yet another lousy attempt distract from John W. McBush's real record of siding with Dubya time and time again!!!

Cheese Aisle   August 23rd, 2008 5:07 pm ET

Green background or cheese aisle. McCain still can't do it any better.

Nate Hussein   August 23rd, 2008 5:06 pm ET

Man these republicans are clowns, looking for anything negative. November can't come soon enough!

Marcelo   August 23rd, 2008 5:05 pm ET

Boy, McCain's team is really desperate to find anything to turn attention away from the ruin of this current administration (and McCain's role in it) and focus on these ridiculous ideas.

McCain, can't you point out why you're better on the policies??!?!??! Why do you have to resort to these childish games. It's plain pathetic.

chippyarm   August 23rd, 2008 5:05 pm ET

McCain's camp is becoming more ridiculous, insulting to Americans, and grasping at anything. How sad that McSame can't run on his own record, but must sit by like little girls saying, "Oooh! What he said." We are Americans. We have brains. People slip up. This Republican team is out of touch.

Dealt   August 23rd, 2008 5:05 pm ET

Gosh… these guys would do better to look at their candidate's slips of the tongue… One would think simple prudence woudl keep them quieter.

informed voter   August 23rd, 2008 5:05 pm ET

Seriously, if was a McCain campaign staffer, I think I would be the last to criticize another candidate for 'gaffes'! (Since McCain is 'Mr. Gaffe' himself).

They can't want the dems to get started on McCain's many, many gaffes, can they??

john   August 23rd, 2008 5:05 pm ET

Putin is the president of Germany McCain and Ben Porrit has been divorced 3 times, he also abandoned his kids with wife number one.

jFA   August 23rd, 2008 5:05 pm ET

Put your money where your mouth is!

Else all you disgruntleds are merely posers and frauds >period<.

Navigate over to http://www.hillaryclinton.com, and donate to retire her debt, if not you're too stupid to be given a forum to air your nonsense.

Real support and commitment is shown by appealing to a wide and broadbased coalition, by the financial sacrifice those millions are willing to make towards your candidacy. If not you are not a viable candidate just a big fat phoney and a fake.

Disgruntled voter   August 23rd, 2008 5:04 pm ET

How about instead of calling Obama on his slip of the tongue they simply said that these things happen when people are excited or otherwise confused. It would have made sense considering all the slip ups McCain has said.
I don't fault McCain for any of his mis-speaks and I certainly wouldn't fault Obama on his. These things happen. Big deal.

Now can we get to the issues?

Really   August 23rd, 2008 5:04 pm ET

My thoughts exactly. When I heard Obama introduce Joe Biden as "The Next President…" I didn't think he made a mistake. I think he was telling the truth, and it's going to come back to bite him in the rear.

Tommy Hussein in St. Louis (I only have one house...that I know of)   August 23rd, 2008 5:04 pm ET

Oh, get over it. It's easy to make slips of the tongue when you're a public speaker. I have seen just about everyone speaking in front of an audience do it at one time or another. I've also done it when speaking in front of others.

The McCain campaign wants to pretend they stumbled on some fascinating truth about Obama and want to teach the rest of us? The real truth is, anybody can talk out of their rear end calling another person's slip-up Freudian. It doesn't mean anything. I think Ben Porritt is really reaching.

Peachy Keen   August 23rd, 2008 4:47 pm ET

Gees Ben, you are surely the pot calling the kettle black. If McCain's slipups were published, it would be the length of 'War And Peace'.

By the way, when the press was allowed to view McCain's medical records, where did he hid the section on dementia?

lol   August 23rd, 2008 4:47 pm ET

biden should be at the top of that ticket, obama with his thin resume, and inexperience, is tanking in the polls. biden can't save that sinking ship. hillary on the ticket would have guaranteed a democratic win. mccain 08! hillary 2012!

Debby   August 23rd, 2008 4:47 pm ET

Maybe Obama's teleprompter had a gliche. LOL

Matt   August 23rd, 2008 4:47 pm ET

Can they possibly get any more petty?

Oh wait, I forgot that McCain is being advised by Rove now. Of course they can!

Eric ( Minnesota)   August 23rd, 2008 4:47 pm ET

THESE PEOPLE ARE SERIOUSLY DELUSIONAL. MCCAIN DID THE SAME EXACT THING TWO DAYS AGO. I DONT KNOW IF THE MCCAIN CAMPAIGN IS DUMB, OR JUST NAIVE. EITHER WAY THEY ARE TOAST!!!

Realpolitik   August 23rd, 2008 4:47 pm ET

They're stretching now that they're scared lol

Publicus   August 23rd, 2008 4:47 pm ET

Where does McCain find advisers – from list of those who didn't make it through the psychological testing part of the Wal Mart application?

Nick - Arlington, VA   August 23rd, 2008 4:47 pm ET

PATHETIC WITH A CAPITAL P-A-T-H-E-T-I-C

Jeff Long   August 23rd, 2008 4:46 pm ET

LOL!! This ticket is really weak!!!! How is it that the Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee (FRC) is the VP nominee while the Junior Chairman of the FRC is the presidential nominee? This ticket is a joke!!

debkansas   August 23rd, 2008 4:46 pm ET

Didn';t anyone write him a speech. Obama can't think for himself. Why anyone in their right mind would want to be his vp. Hillary for President. Keep your superdelegates and be the demo nominee.

Obama = Carter the 2nd!!!   August 23rd, 2008 4:46 pm ET

WOW. So to all those out there that made a big deal out of McCain and the house, what are you going to say about this?????

I know he did not mean to say Biden was the next prez of the 57 states!!!!!!! Ops…..I mean VP of the 50 states……I pulled an "obama".

Bibek   August 23rd, 2008 4:46 pm ET

Oh, Give me a Break!

McCain slips more than he flips.. so cut it out. Seriously.

Obama '08 :-D

Kathryn   August 23rd, 2008 4:46 pm ET

Freudian…just like how Iraq and Pakistan share a border. Does John McCain really want to go there?

Jill-IN   August 23rd, 2008 4:45 pm ET

This is a ridiculous quip by McCain, et al. We've been treated to months of McCain pauses and gaffs and frankly, he gets off lightly for most of it.

Franky   August 23rd, 2008 4:45 pm ET

In that case, can you hook it up with a House??? I don't think you'll mind if you can sell me one….

But Shhhhhhh!!! Don't tell anyone, O.K?

Delay man   August 23rd, 2008 4:45 pm ET

Oh come on. Rovian tactics is what McCain is using.

Douglas S.   August 23rd, 2008 4:45 pm ET

Wow, now the Republicans are psychologists?

May come in handy. American need its head examined eight years of Bush, and will need a lobotomy if we get four more years of ….McBush.

misanthropicus   August 23rd, 2008 4:45 pm ET

Since Barry Soetoro will be busted for fraudulent claim of US citiozenship, this tricky devil Bidden is next in line… man! What calculations!

jay   August 23rd, 2008 4:45 pm ET

Some one needs to remind him of the many gaffes he has. Especially the one about his eight homes. And Obama is an Elitis? Whatever

Obama/biden 08

KB   August 23rd, 2008 4:44 pm ET

I found that slip up pretty telling as well.

Ed   August 23rd, 2008 4:44 pm ET

Biden IS far more qualified to be president than a measly one-time senator.

Cleduc   August 23rd, 2008 4:44 pm ET

Grow up McCain campaign

Jim   August 23rd, 2008 4:44 pm ET

Nice try McCNN however it went like this. "I would like to introduce the next President, Vice President of the United States". He never said President of the United States. I see CNN still just repeats everything McCain says without bothering to check it out.

Sue   August 23rd, 2008 4:43 pm ET

Ole boy John has FAR more Freudian slips then Baracks.

Proud Democrat   August 23rd, 2008 4:43 pm ET

The Mccain camp is kidding right :)

McCain the king of misspeaking/slip ups

Go Bam/Biden

Donny from California   August 23rd, 2008 4:43 pm ET

Oh yes, YES, Y E S !!!!! Obama made a verbal gaffe. Maybe that will cover up my confusion of not having a clue as to how many houses I own. Or maybe I just married into. Or maybe I'm too old to remember.

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