McCain Explains His Repeated Czechoslovakia Gaffes (VIDEO)

McCain said "Czechoslovakia" instead of the "Czech Republic" at another town hall today. But this time, he caught himself and offered a bit of self-mocking explanation. That makes it the third time in the past three weeks.

"As you know, the Czech Republic and Slovakia split years ago," McCain said with a chuckle. "From time to time some of us misstate and say Czechoslovakia when the fact is, it's the Czech Republic."

"Some of us" could refer to retired senator (and Barack Obama supporter) Sam Nunn, who helpfully made the same gaffe a few days after McCain. But unless Obama picks Nunn for VP, McCain is still alone among office-seekers on this one. Watch the video:

Comments

[MegInPA]

"Some of us" make this mistake. haha. That was almost painful. I feel sorry for him.

[Diogenis]

Feeling sorry is not a good enough reason to vote for him Meg!

[NoSandwiches]

He makes these mistakes for the same reason that my grandmother sometimes calls me by my sister's name or even by my mother's name. He is old. The more tired he is, the more likely he is to say the wrong thing, wander off message, or say something wholey inappropriate and not at all funny, like the remark about increasing exports of cigarettes to Iran in order to kill off the population. Rested, he is able to pass. He needs naps and weekends off. That's just normal for a man of his age. A nice house near a golf course would be a fitting place for him.

[tressie22]

it could be that i have a sick sense of humor but I LOL'd at this entire comment. He does need naps and weekends off. LOL

[swift goat pet for truth]

"As you know, the Czech Republic and Slovakia split years ago," McCain said with a chuckle. "From time to time some of us misstate and say Czechoslovakia when the fact is, it's the Czech Republic."

I don't know that.
I know Czechoslovakia split into the Czech Republic AND SOLVAKIA.

[mookworthjwilson]

HUH? It's Slovakia..­.

[yambartsumian]

If his campaign were smart, it'd keep him out of the media as much as possible. What is this? Every day now, we get another McCain mistake or a repeat of a previous one.

Then again, I wonder if the rest of the country is paying attention. How many people at that town hall meeting knew that "Czechoslovakia" no longer exists? I'm not trying to be patronizing or supercilious, but come on. Let's be realistic.

[kotipup]

You're right, Senator McCain. I am far less concerned about your mistake in calling the Czech Republic Czechoslovakia than I am about your assertion that we should keep our troops in Iraq for maybe a 100 years, or your sudden decision during the campaign that offshore drilling is a good idea and a gas tax holiday is what we *really* need, or your negative ad stating that Barack Obama is to blame for high oil prices. (Wow... who knew an "inexperienced", junior Senator could have THAT much power?)...­.

[harriscrl3]

He is living in the PAST which is where he plans on taking us. The man just learn to use the freaking internet. If he is elected we deserve what we get. Just like we did with Bush since we ELECTED him.

Carol

[Shashi0224]

McCain is truly not very bright. We've been there, done that with Bush, it doesn't work. It's time for McCain to rock on his porch and take it easy with his wife's beer fortune, as President Obama leads us toward better times! Watching Obama today, I felt proud. The negativity of the republican party is over. We can all unite under Obama and we can work toward improving our economy and bringing respect and honor back to the United States.
Thank you Barack Obama!
Good Night McCain - it's past your bedtime.

[HeIsTheOne]

"From time to time some of us misstate..­."

Yeah, it's OK for my 81 year old dad not to know pertinent geographic info...but dude, come on, you're asking to be the POTUS!!!! FGS, ask your wife, if you don't know. Maybe your daughter should ride with you like the old days. She could show you how to use a correctable selectric typewriter.

[vonny]

Hey hufpot, show BO saying today that "Israel is a friend of Israel, and it will always be a friend of Israel."

[mindlessmissy]

Yep ... Since he can NOT be the media , he has to resign himself to watching the media to realize he has been making gaffes all along ... SAD .....

[Bitsko]

Since we've been suspending the constitution for the past seven and a half years, can't we hold the election tomorrow so we can elect someone with a lick of sense? And I don't mean Duff Man.

[MajorKong]

I expect better from someone who's running for President on their supposed foreign policy credentials. Knowing the difference between Sunni and Shiite might be start. Knowing which countries border Iraq couldn't hurt either.

[DontBanMeBro]

WOW is that pathetic. I'm guessing that news of Czechoslovakia's split in '93 was news to that audience.

A fat, old, failing audience for a fat, old, failing candidate. He makes Bob Dole downright energizing, by comparison.

[BabsfromKS]

Czech out the kid in the back row at the very en -a redumb in the making!

[GuidedByEwoks]

That is hilarious! Someone needs to do a zoom in on that kid! Daily Show: moment of Zen.

Why does the press love these town hall meetings? Oh, yeah, because his prepared speeches are horrible. He should be thankful the press are ignoring him.

[hu.man]

I used to like McCain in 2000. I did respect his positions. But he is clearly too old to be the president. He reminds me of Reagan in his closing years, constantly making gaffes and poking fun at himself. If nothing, Obama needs to underscore this fact. Would this be considered ageism?

[DRaymond]

Wow, he even gaffes while trying to laugh off his own gaffes.

[UnknownSoldier]

Remeber that candidate that said She and John McCain had passed the Commander and Chief test, and Obama only had a speech. I guess questions about the Czech Republic and Slovakia weren't on that test.
McCain is using another page out of the Hillary Clinton play book: Blame the Media
The Media is biased against Obama, Don't let'em fool ya.

[helonias]

My friend go home a take a nap

I mean you have 7 of them or even use the jet.