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

[CaptainVideo]

Biden still is under the illusion that this campaign can be carried out on a civil basis. There is absolutely nothing civil about the McCain campaign which is being run by the same fear and smear people who slandered Gore and Kerry. You need to recognize that these people are conservatives without concience who will give no quarter, and the Obama campaign has to approach them as such.

Biden was a bad choice for this position and has already made some othe blunders, such as saying that Hillary is more qualified than him. Obama has to put this lose cannon on a very short leash.

[pkafin]

Gotta love Biden. Says what he's thinking, even when he shouldn't.

What's equally impressive and perhaps more relevant, however, is the strength of character and level of confidence Obama has shown by picking him. Biden said some dumb things about Obama during the primaries. Did Obama get upset? NO. Did Obama hold a grudge? No. Did Obama feel that he needed a tightly controlled yes man to watch his back and prop up his image? Apparently not.

Obama has shown that he believes enough in himself that he can have Joe Biden running around being Joe Biden. IMHO we want and need Biden running around being himself (and by we I mean the whole country not just the Dems). Does anyone remember, back when Bush was branding anyone who disagreed with him as a traitor, Biden questioning some aspect of the Iraq War and then saying "And don't ask Rumsfeld. He doesn't know what the H*ll he's talking about!"

We need that kind of clarity. Obama is better served by that kind of clarity. The fact that he (Obama) is not afraid of it speaks volumes to his integrity. Has anyone heard Palin espouse upon a point of contention or flat out disagree with McCain and/or campaign decisions that have been made by his team?

[kathy001]

Right on, pkafin!!! I agree with every word you said!

[aOsO]

This will be a McCain ad in the morning. Damnit Joe.

[pkafin]

If so, it will be an ineffective ad.

Republicans lose when they don't control the talking points. If McCain runs ads based upon what Biden said the previous day, then he's toast.

[DieHardObamaSupporter]

Joel, please remember which team you are on. I know you have worked with Mc.Gut.ter for sometime

now, so there is a history. Put that to the side, and think enemy. THIS IS WAR!

You are still a cool dude in my book. Just bridle your tongue until Nov 5.

[FiveFortyOne]

I hope Biden doesn't become the Bill Clinton of the general election. Distractions - no matter how petty - are just what the opposition and the media want. Why should Barack have to waste time in an interview answering for something Joe said? Jeez!

[Waltb31]

While Joe was trying to be a "nice guy" to his "friend" McCain, his friend John and his campaign uses Joe's words to try to smear Obama.
Joe Biden should drop all the pretense of civility; McCain has no honor, and he will use the familiarity of their past relationship to continue to use "gotcha" moments against him.
Same with the debate with Palin; she's hidden from the press, and will expect deference from Biden. He would be advised to treat her as any other politician, and eviscerate her.

[FiveFortyOne]

Didn't he learn when the McCain campaign used the patriotism remarks against him? I'm beginning to wonder if something is wrong with him. I hope the Obama campaign takes the cover of interest in the economic crisis and the upcoming debate to bring him up to shape. I'm assuming Team Obama anticipated this and can deal with it.

[CaptainVideo]

Biden's "friend" has already told some atrocious lies about Obama, such as, for example,
claiming, without any basis, that Obama called Palin a pig. His "friend" has quetioned Obama's patriotism. It is time to stop treating people who are not civil with civility. McCain had shown himself to be an amoral sociopath who is willing to do whatever it takes to win, no matter how underhanded, and needs to be approached on that basis.

[wm1066]

I have no prloblem with that ad, and I was floored by Biden denouncing it.
Buck up Biden, don't lose the election for Barack. Grow a spine!
His failure at understanding how to fight is why I didn't go for him in the primary.
He made a big deal about his knowing how to fight but the proof is in the pudding.
He will let the cornered fox get away every time.

[wrylass]

It would be nice if he could know what he's talking about ...

I personally loved the ad. Someone who can't send e-mail (invention of the Blackberry notwithsta­nding--rol­ls eyes) has no business leading the largest economy in the world in the 21st century. Coupled with his apparent dementia (Spain) and well-known Roman candle temper ... suffice it to say there are many more than a top 10 list of reasons not to vote for John McCain.

[L3ftofC3nter]

AGREED!

[RobertAndropolis]

With Joe and Bill on Obama's side, a McPalin victory is all but certain.

[researcher]

good point

few see what you see

[jwatso7]

Sure, Biden made a blunder. Let the McCombover crowd try to make hay with this. Quite frankly, the economy is being sucked into a monster black hole. I can't imagine people are going to care about this petty nonsense right now. A week ago? Sure. Now? No way. I think it just makes the Republicans look even more out of touch.

[aOsO]

Whoa! Joe, what are you doing? Undercutting your boss' message is not part of your job description, get back to the economy and stay there.

We don't need these verbal gaffes.

Obideno8

[DinSea]

I always said Biden was a loose canon .... he needs a pat script to stick to.

[jwatso7]

Agreed. It's a long way to November 4. Something else is sure to pop up.

[aOsO]

he's basically offering the McCain campaign the high road here. This was a very stupid gaffe on his part.

[BradPittsburgh]

Making fun of a disabled POW is what passes as humor for the O messiah thugs.

[TheHandyman]

You're talking about McSame's mental defeciencies, right? Having been a POW is not a get out of jail free card nor is it a go to the White House and be President card. I know you and the other trolls think so but it isn't!

[Waltb31]

McCain is a collaborator, not a hero.

[pkafin]

Where did you get that from? McCain's self avowed lack of computer skills have nothing to do with his status as a disabled POW... former POW, actually, as in 40 years ago he was a POW. Today, he is a US Senator with no excuse for remaining unable to perform basic functions on a computer.

[Bluejay00234]

So your a child molester?

[CaptainVideo]

There is nothing from McCain's POW experience that prevents him from using a computer. His inability to do so shows how far out of it he is and is a genuine issue.

[apoyo]

You're playing in the big leagues now, Joe. Stay with the program.

[SouthpawSass]

Joe, I like ya, but you gotta shut up. You're not talking to your neighbor, you're talking to a reporter who will use what you say as headline news... Geez.