BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) – The famously free-wheeling Joe Biden found himself in an unaccustomed situation Thursday: asked to comment on a White House gaffe that wasn't his own.
The vice president was asked by CNN what he thought of President Obama's unguarded moment earlier this week, when he was caught calling entertainer Kanye West a "jackass" for grabbing the microphone from teenage singer Taylor Swift at MTV's Video Music Awards earlier in the week.
Biden responded cautiously. "I honestly didn't know that. I have no comment on that," he told CNN's Chris Lawrence, adding with a laugh: "For someone who occasionally says things that I shouldn't say, I have no comment."
How does it feel to be on the observing end of an administration verbal slip? "Well first of all, (Obama) very seldom has a slip of the tongue," said Biden. "But I really can't comment. I truly don't know the incident. I heard it for the first time from you."
Biden is in Iraq this week, his third visit to that nation so far this year.
From CNN Politics
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We Love you Joe!!
You call Obama's comment a gaffe? I did'nt think it needed further explanation nor did it call for an apology.
You did good, Joe!
One has to wonder if the roles were reversed would be be hearing about this. First, M. Jordan, next Serena Williams and then Kayne (they all have something in common). While it was not an intelligent thing to do for any of them – Kanye and Serena have apologized for it and rightfully so. Why would Vice President Biden know what's in President Obama's mind? He should not be asked to comment on what someone else was or is thinking. It won't be long until Obama will be apologizing to Kayne anyway when he hears some back lash. I'm no Kanye fan but this is something he didn't need to get involved in. Another lesson learned.
give me a break!
There is a lot worse names the man should have been called. This is one that I totally agree with Obama on. Taylor Swift had the best album hands down and that is why her peers voted for her. African Americans need to settle down. Your boy winning the White House couldn't have been done with out a whole lot of White people voting for him. He can not count on this happening in 2012. When you make a mistake you soon correst it. BOY WHAT A MISTAKE HAS BEEN MADE HERE.
what white house gaffe? he called him what he is! its refreshing to hear after years of being talked down to by an idiot saying something that was written down for him!
Uh, it wasn't a verbal slip. It was an entirely appropriate response to the behavior of someone who had clearly acted like a donkey...In any case, way to go Joe for not putting your foot in it. CHANGE must really be coming to the USA
Obama/Biden 2012
Yes Obama did make a mistake, he should have said he was a "BIG jack ass". The truth is the truth and no reason to shy away from it.
Just shows what why I voted for Obama because he is a Normal America who is doing a great job. A thousand times better than the 8 years prior.
Obama described him very effectively.
Please the PRESIDENT TOLD THE TRUTH!!!
That was FUNNY! Obama was so RIGHT!
Vice-President Biden is smart not to comment on the story. Now he knows how it feels for the president to explain VP Biden's slip-ups!
If this guy had another brain, it would be lonely. Buffoon.
I can't fathom why this "flap" is news. The President called a spade a spade. Move on.
WHY does CNN try to provoke a gaffe from Joe Biden?
WHAT do they gain by trying to make him look foolish?
Isn't there more pressing things to cover on the news?
Why not show all the footage of the hate-filled republicans and their racist signs and racist language?
WHY not report the horrible wars and how the republicans misled us into those wars?
Why not report the real news instead of crap that means nothing – like the Joe Biden stories?
Come on CNN – you use to be the best of the best – why not regain that standard of news coverage.
Obama called this one right - Kanye's actions were abominable and if the modern era "freedom of speech" is reduced to uncontollable whining whenever things don't go the way you want, we are really done. He did act like a J-A.
According to Biden, "Obama very seldom has a slip of the tounge"...except for when he's making fun of quadriplegics who can't bowl! This president has too many "gaffes" for my taste.
Thanks Joe you know your course. Don't take the bait because the fish is not going to bite.
He must have been in cave not to have heard about this.
Why did they pull the sound bite from the mike that wa left on?...during the campaign when Bush and Cheney errantly spoke iwith 'still live' mikes in the vicinity the satements were constantly replayed on all networks...oh yeah, it's that double standard again...and I suppose it was also fueled by racism too...
There is no need for Biden to open his yap and show his ignorance and incompetence. His boss is doing a very good job of that already.
That's a first for Biden, good guy, but he does speak too "bluntly" sometimes.
I didn't see media talk this much about a President when Bush gave a one finger salute to Kerry.
If Cnn spent more time on reporting and less time on trying to play gotcha. they might do better reporting than they did with the coast guard training exercise that they flubbed up on last week. By the way has anyone heard any more about that? Just curious. I know everything else is reported over and over and over. Just saying.
why is this worthy of a news website? I wish we could find real journalism again in this country!