Perino: I Didn't Know What The Cuban Missile Crisis Was

Still looking for that last-minute Christmas gift for White House press secretary Dana Perino? May we recommend a gift certificate for the forthcoming book on the Cuban Missile Crisis by our colleague Michael Dobbs, "One Minute to Midnight: Kennedy, Khrushchev, and Castro on the Brink of Nuclear War," due out next summer?

Appearing on National Public Radio's light-hearted quiz show "Wait, Wait . . . Don't Tell Me," which aired over the weekend, Perino got into the spirit of things and told a story about herself that she had previously shared only in private: During a White House briefing, a reporter referred to the Cuban Missile Crisis -- and she didn't know what it was.

Read entire story here.

Read more about Dana Perino from HuffPolitics reporter Jason Linkins.

Comments

[circusfifthfloor]

To some of those who seem to be offended by some the posts regarding Dana's moment of UNclarity. She works for the idiot who said it won't matter how historians treat his presidency, because, now get this, "It won't matter, because we'll all be dead". If you do not understand the total lack of responsible stewardship in this goon's character, then you are among the elite 18 percenters, and there is no cure for stupid. Damn this man and what he has done to my wonderful country..CFF

[MANK]

Say what you will, 50% +1 elected Bush the second time. WE can't blame the Supreme Court

[eddiestardust]

And how old is this woman?
And she is the President's Press Secretary?

[antiblather]

STUPID
IS
AS
STUPID
DOES

[zigzag1]

She's probably another Liberty University graduate that got a job in the monkeys administration because Jesus called her to serve. Graduate degree from the RNC school for dumb blonde spokespeople.

[McSnarky]

Please remember that Dana was hired under Bushes "No Smurfs Left Behind" program. So it's a bit unrealistic to expect too much from her beyond her one true talent - standing at the podium and looking moderately attractive in an icy Republican sort of way.

[lip11]

Why do you think she would get hired for her historic and political knowledge?

She got hired because she's a great liar and concealer of the truth.

[KOisGod]

A hundred thousand years from now, when more sentient beings dig up our civilization, they will wonder what happened.

After careful consideration, the will come up with the following two conclusions.

1. They allowed assholes to be in charge.

2. They shit in their own nest.

[Fathoms]

Expecting intelligence out of this aggregation of corporate hacks is an exercise in futility. We're discussing the White House. They're one-trick-ponies; parrots on message, nothing more.

[KOisGod]

The only ones left over at bushcon are third stringers like this empty head, speaking for it.

If one were to look out, oh, a few hundred thousand years, more sentient beings would come across our civilization, and wonder, what brought about its demise?

Two things would finally be settled upon.

1. They put assholes in charge.

2. They shit in their own nest.

[fourex]

Les Moonves, I see another news reader for you here.

[Roses]

Excuse me, but I think if one is a diplomat or someone who engages in diplomatic policy, I think that the entire history surrounding the Cuban missile crisis (sometimes known as the Cold War) GREATLY influences today's foreign policy.

If Ms. Perino did indeed graduate with a college minor in poli. sci. I would seriously question either if her degree exists or the quality of the college she attended.

[Dejack]

We are being led around by the nose by a bunch of Cunning Dumbos.
Heaven help us all.

[geddy]

Due to her recent behavior towards the press and her decision to defend this administration and propagate its disinformation, how can one feel bad for such an unethical person? She’s a willing tool of a corrupt immoral system.

You do remember when the human race came inches away from annihilating itself (only 40 years ago)? Oh, you don't. Great. Super!

Granted she's just a puppet, but I would hold a high-schooler up to the standard of knowing what the Cuban Missile Crisis was ...and... maybe college educated to know that through the leadership, strategy, and diplomacy of Kennedy, we were able to avoid it.

But, I'm sure Dana would say that somehow Reagan got on a secret phone and talked Kruschev out of it.

Everyone is being controlled by the Neo-cons...(that includes all but the highest level conservatives - but, conservatives, I'm sure they tell you you're going to heaven or something...). Or that this will defeat evolution or some twisted logic.

Yes, Liberals (like myself) and Conservatives are being controlled by immoral idiots (though, importantly and admittedly, smart enough to gain power)

wise up:

http://www.newamericancentury.org/RebuildingAmericasDefenses.pdf

(and no I'm not a 9-11 conspiracy theorist - if that's the only thing you determine from reading document above then good luck)...

[hannitizer]

There is simply no excuse to explain this lack of serious experience in a White House Press Secretary. As previous posters have voiced, I find no comfort in believing that it's okay to be ignorant of the single most precarious man-made countdown to anihilalation this world has ever known just because "alot of people probably didn't know either until they googled it".
The best and brightest minds should be counted as part of any administrations cabinet and staff. Instead, what we have is an incompetent staff being managed by an incompetent Chief of Staff, who answers to an incompetent president.
Bush most likely could not have given a plausible summary on the Cuban Missle Crisis with or without talking points. Shameful.