The Classes of Campaign Gaffs

There are three types of gaffs candidates can make on the campaign trail ranging from a innocent slip of the tongue to an outright, fact checked lie. Below are examples of Barack Obama making each.

Simple Misstatement



These are only good for cheeps laughs. Its the kind of misstake anyone could make in an speaking extemporaneously. No one thinks Obama is confused about the number of states. On the other hand these are the types of gaffs that have made President Bush the butt of jokes for over a decade.

Shooting from the hip not knowing what you are talking about:



This is a dangerous one. It sounds so reasonable if left unchallengened it will become conventional wisdom. It is also gross exaggeration.

Outright lying:



Barrack Obama is not on the Banking, or any of its sub-committee. It bends credibility the think he forgot that. It was a lie told to make himself look better to his audience. It was told with the grace and ease of a man who is used to lying.