Biden Calls Obama Ad "Terrible," Walks It Back (VIDEO)

Joe Biden told CBS' Katie Couric last night that an ad painting John McCain as unable to use a computer was "terrible."

"I thought that was terrible, by the way," Biden told Couric. "I didn't know we did it. If I'd had anything to do with it, we'd have never done it. And I don't think Barack, you know, I mean, I just think -- I don't think there was anything intentional about that." Watch:

Later, Biden walked back his comments:

"I was asked about an ad I'd never seen, reacting merely to press reports. As I said right then, I knew there was nothing intentionally personal in the criticism of Senator McCain's views which look backwards not forwards and are out of touch with the new economic challenges we face today.

"Having now reviewed the ad, it is even more clear to me that given the disgraceful tenor of Senator McCain's ads and their persistent falsehoods, his campaign is in no position to criticize, especially when they continue to distort Barack's votes on an issue as personal as keeping kids safe from sexual predators."

But McCain's campaign has already seized on the remark. Spokesman Brian Rogers responded:

"While the New York Times and other media outlets were silent in the face of Barack Obama's shameless and dishonorable attack on John McCain, even Obama's own running mate has now condemned the ad as 'terrible,' admitting he never would have approved it. Barack Obama has brought the sleazy gutter politics of Chicago to our national stage, exposing his call for a 'new politics' as a lie and embarrassing even his own running-mate with the low road campaign he's running."

Comments

[mosh]

Joe - shut yer trap -

[Jinxykb]

I loved that ad. The 6 1/2 pound 1980's cell phone was beautiful.

[Chapmanp2]

Are you SERIOUS??? Katie Couric??? The "negative" ad you referred to was 100% accurate.
It simply blasted McCain for being out of touch. It's not like they ran an ad claiming McCain was in favor of child porn or something. If you're gonna put the heat to him at least make it about something of substance...

[milo9]

I'm old as white thread, so I have the experience to say McCain is too old. I see my weaknesses in him all too often.

[GwenElle]

Biden is a problem. He needs to shut his trap and focus on the issues. His role is not to provide public criticism of his running mate. If he thought or thinks the ad is unfair or terrible, take it up with Barack and the campaign, not the media.

Is he really this stupid? For this kind of grief, we could of had Hillary-Bill. At least they would have brought some votes along for the aggravation. Geez.

Shut up Joe.

[Agentlady007]

He's just getting ready to be a McCain adviser.

[PumaAnn]

You people are so fringe that you have no idea what harm you bring to your cause.

No wonder today's polls show that O hasn't moved former Hill supporters a bit. He lost 25%.

Better make sure those college kids remember to vote!

[Blabbermouth]

Well said GwenElle!

[Dragonblaster]

Calm down. Take a deep breath. It's great Biden has an independent spirit. Don't let the news media worry you. That's the game they are playing. Celebrate an independent VP. At least we don't have a robotic female version of George Bush. Joe says what on his mind, and we need to make that cool, an asset. We make the game, not the Neo-cons. Offense not defense.

[4wehttam]

Geez Biden, shut your yappers. Your a walking gaffe-fest.

[SKayum]

What the hell is wrong with this guy? "McCain's campaign is in no position to criticize" should have been his answer from the beginning. And why the hell are reporters still talking about lipstick on a pig when the level of sleaze is on red from the right. I know they all want to be objective, but I hate when they say the negativity is on both sides. There is no comparing the two.

[Heavenhelpusall]

Note to Biden: It's okay to say you have to see the ad/document/report/statement/etc to make an informed comment. He went to Law School -- he knows how to say no comment.

[TuesdayMorning]

Memo to Obama surrogates including VP pick: FOCUS!

[valleygent]

Here here!! Stop being critical of your own campaign!!!

[chronic]

Exactly!!

[Denemator]

Chill all, at least Biden is his own man and doesn't walk lockstep like the sheepels in the gop, It is refreshing to see some honesty compared to the BS that comes out of the cheeks mcbush corner.

[luckyrico1]

At least Biden is allowed to talk unscripted. Further, he at least has an opinion that hasn't been written for him. I'd rather see a remark like that from him than a billion of the "Thanks, but no thanks" repeated script. As far as this campaign going too far... Well, it was the McCain campaign that hurled the first bucket of mud. I am glad the Democrats have started playing the same dirty politics that it apparently takes to win a presidential election. If I didn't know better, I'd say that Karl Rove is working both sides of the fence this time around. I say get down and dirty and sling that mud right back at the GOP. They invented the game, but I think it's time we beat them at it!

And Senator Biden, if you want to win, you'll just have to deal with the mud.

[valleygent]

Honesty doesn't win Presidential campaigns...what universe are you posting in? Naive post.com??

[Ramirez]

Biden is a gaffe-o-matic. He will be under the bus by Oct 1.

[seenitall]

fire the head of the SEC...FEC...PLO...A & P...who shuffled my index cards?????

[Ramirez]

Yup. That was stupid too. But Biden will not be saved by dumb stuff from McCain.

Under the bus by Oct 1.

[Stevie57]

I'm with Joe, although I don't think it was poitic for him to say this.
The add was silly, and also it might seriously p*ss off many older people who are not computer literate.
Wwhether or not McCain can use a computer has nothing to do with his unsuitability to be President.
So he's old....and we all know he's old.
That's not the problem.
It's his lack of judgment, his erratic temperament, and his coziness with big business that we should be criticizing.

But we also need to remember that Barack said he did not choose Joe to be a sycophant. He wants someone who will tell him when he's wrong, and people in both parties respect Joe for his blunt "truth-telling".

[Denemator]

exactly

[GwenElle]

Stevie57 wrote "But we also need to remember that Barack said he did not choose Joe to be a sycophant. He wants someone who will tell him when he's wrong, and people in both parties respect Joe for his blunt "truth-telling".

Noone is taking exception with Joe's truth-telling. It is who he is telling it to. Joe is demonstrating poor judgment by voicing his criticism to the media. He should state his position and opinions to Barack, directly, and like what I thought he was -- a statesman. Statesmanship implies wisdom and good judgment. Biden showed neither here.

This is not the first gaffe he has committed. His "Hillary is a better V.P. choice than me" was also ill-advised and over the top.

[PumaAnn]

It did, but his remark served to dial down the heat, too, which is good. These ads are just that.....ads.

I don't really think chewing doublemint will double my pleasure.

Nor do I believe political ads.

[TNFarmer]

First, I doubt Senator Obama meant for his VP nominee to be telling him (Obama) that he's wrong in public, especially during a close race. Second, "truth-telling" is a little different than offering an opinion on something that you have no knowledge. This comment and the one on "clean coal" isn't helping show that these two are on the same page..... get it together guys!

[raskolnikov72]

WATCH: Our economy is burning and you can't have more substantive and understandable coverage of what this means for our election and future ....

[NoonienSpock]

So... does McCain use computers, or not?

[BrighterStar]

He cannot type because of war injuries which limits his ability to use a computer.

[kimbari]

Those war injuries why he looks like he's incubating a ginormous wad of chewing tobacco?

I mean... that's how he looks...

[obamagal]

Simply amazing, though, how many quadriplegics have no problem at all... Hmmm....

[RadLeftVetPatriot]

Right. I'm a son of a sea cook.

[rmreddicks]

That's a bunch of nonsense.

[CaliTLC]

Come on. You can't possibly believe that - do you? There are adaptable computers and keyboards for all manner of limitations. Don't drink that cool-aid PA-LEEZE. John McCain should know how to use a computer - PERIOD. What - he plans to hire someone to read the world's news to him because he can't get on line to see for himself. That also means that he won't be receiving e-mail from his staff. Come on. That is absurd. It's a harmless computer - not rocket science. BTW, plenty of seniors his age are computer literate.

[slowhand0728]

Is Biden trying to lose this thing? What is he doing? Obama has to get him under control, heck hide him like Palin from the media!

[luckyrico1]

No way. He just needs to look at these ads and learn that it is a tactic that his campaign learned from the GOP's Karl Rove. Should they ask him about it he needs to just say that they are playing the same game that Rove taught us about presidential elections and he is going to beat them at their own game this time around. Terrible? Yeah. Mean? Yeah. Do the Dems intend to win this election? Hell yes! Get used to it, Senator Biden, this election is much closer than it should be.

[jazzence]

I thought it sucked too but that doesn't mean I'm not for Obama. Joe's gonna have more gaffes, this is the least of them.

[jacqmac]

This is no gaffe. None of Biden's comments are gaffes. I didn't think the ad was really that spiffy either and I didn't see it until it was aired on the news shows. I'd let that comment AND the 'backtrack' stand. It's not really fair to be attacking someone based on age-NOR is it fair to be attacking someone based on RACE. It was aimed at the 'YOUTH VOTE', but wasn't exactly brilliant. Necessary? Probably!
Brilliant approach? Nope! Not EVEN Rovian!

And I'm SIXTY and I'm voting Obama/Biden!

[PumaAnn]

I agree, and I'm voting mac. Biden's entire appeal is that he's experienced. He can't be like Pal, and be the young VP candidate who never disagrees.

Frankly, this is the ONE good thing about him as the pick.

[TNFarmer]

I'm over 60, and the age of a potential POTUS is a concern. To me, there's a difference between one's race (or gender) and one's age when it comes to voting that person into the highest office in this Nation. One's age (too old or too young) is a factor in one's ability to handle certain jobs or other activities - age, to a large extent translates into the person's accumulated experiences, physical capabilities, and mental capacities.

Kinda like spending one's life in Alaska and then trying to convince the world you're an experienced national policy expert and otherwise capable of leading the USA. To be an effective POTUS takes a combination of experiences, intelligence, and physical stamina - to question any one of these sounds bad, but it is reality.

I know, I know, it isn't politically correct, but it's what I believe.