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

[JGxHitzert]

It was a silly ad that was harmless. Biden needs to toughen up and not talk outside the family, lest he become some kind of political Fredo.

[IForgotMyName]

He can easily turn this to his advantage. Just mention that you are known to be blunt and that you will always speak truth to power and that you will tell it to Obama if you don't like something. People appreciate that.

[rock2casbah]

I can see if it were truth. It was just his dumb assss opinion. Then when he saw the ad he backtracked. So much for speaking truth to power. If this had of been an issue of big porportions like nuclear disarmaent of Iran would he say later I'm sorry Barack, I thought wou were talking about Iowa. Biden get your act together.

Biden are stomping with big boys now. Obama does not need anything dragging him down he has the rethugs to do that.

[longislandlol]

Joe- listen to mother-- this is what happens when you go on these interviews without getting a good night's rest--please you need to remember to stop burnin the midnight oil-- you'll be 65 soon-- drink lots of green tea with ginseng for memory before you find your comments skewered by Faux News~! we luv ya Joe-- but why do you talk frivilous instead of substantive? who gives a rat's a-s about that ad--

[DWP]

At least Biden is allowed to think and speak for himself. Not so with Palin.

[Midnightrain]

Bravo!

[DrCahill]

What is wrong with Joe Biden?? Of late, he's been criticizing and contradicting Barack - which isn't really playing for the team!
If he doesn't like the way Barack is running his campaign, I say, get off the truck and let Hillary ride shot gun! The Nerve!

[RedneckDem]

Some people may think that Obama and Biden disagreeing with each other publicly is a bad thing, I don't. The only way to learn is to listen to others opinions and not be afraid to ask questions. To me, its embarrassing how repubs never disagree in public or ask questions of leadership until the s%&* hits the fan. Thats not an American trait, nor is it in the best interest of John Q. Public.

[McChimp]

didn't Obama say that he wanted someone who would challenge him?

[rock2casbah]

Right now Obama needs a running mate that is supportive not his overseer. That was a dumb move by Biden. What would be refreshing is if a politician doesn't know something for him to say I haven't seen the ad as yet. Instead of running off at the mouth like Biden seems to keep doing.

[Seriouslynow2]

This is just one more reason why we need to take action to eliminate these ads and the way they subvert the democratic process. I would submit that all political advertising, sleazy or otherwise is biased and by definition one sided. No one can make an objective decision based on biased information. More importantly, perhaps, the pictorial and auditory nature of these ads are intentionally designed to go directly to the emotional centers of our brains and bypass those areas capable of rationally parsing such information.

The solution is not more campaign finance legislation, nor is it repeal of the First Amendment. We need not censor the hogwash they try to feed us, we need only exercise our right not to watch or listen! Indeed, the solution is in our own hands - literally. When any political advertisement comes on the tube (ditto radio) use your middle finger on that dreaded remote and flip 'em off. View my blog on blogspot.com under mrliebling or "Eliminating Big Money from the Political Equation" to see how a campaign to"flip 'em off" during this election can eliminate attack ads and neuter Big Money at the same time.

[MDCambridge]

McCain must have had a hundred photo ops with Bush; why aren't there ads that show him over and over again, meeting with Bush, smiling approvingly, etc.

[rock2casbah]

There is one coming out from TruthHope it is on already in the battleground states. See Truth and Hope ads. It does just that. You have to feed these ads to people at the right time for it to make the most impact. To keep seeing McCain and Bush every 5 seconds months ago would fade to memory.

Now to be reminded of what they are going through and Bush's approval ratings just dropped again to 19, will make it stick and stay for Nov 4th.

[FiveFortyOne]

Have you been following the campaign? I believe McCain-Bush pix are in every negative ad from Obama.

[ElectAThinker08]

No excuse for not knowing how to use a computer. We're talking about the possible president now, not just anyone...
On another note, I wonder what Palin thinks of some of McCain's ads? Oh wait, that's right, she doesn't speak to the press. Sorry. Maybe instead of Sarah showing up for the debate with Biden, we'll get Tina Fey? At least then we can all laugh in earnest and not disgust.

[wandering girl]

yeah, right - like pointing out the obvious about McCain is somehow worse than flat out painting Obama as a baby-killing pro-pederast. sorry - the ad was tasteless, but it wasn't execratory.

[ailbhe]

I love Biden's honesty!

Both Biden and Obama are very likeable men with a lot of integrity (and the only ticket capable of running the country), people need to see more of them and less about them from other people.

They need to define themselves strongly and not allow their campaign to be hijacked by their more divisive supporters in the media who seem to have attached themselves like parasites to the ticket and scare/repu­lse/convin­ce the not yet converted to the other side.

Let the two speak for themselves, can't wait for the debates.

[PumaAnn]

Biden is right. It was a terrible ad.

[McChimp]

Ashamed to admit your sidekick invented the blackberry, but can't use a d a m ned computer PumaStan?

[rock2casbah]

It was a great ad. It spoke the truth. He must be able to at least grasp how important computers are to everyday Americans.­. This generation's whole business, social, communication and educational networks revolves around the use of the computer.

[LynndaMaree]

Was not a terrible ad, how in the world can you run a White House when you can't even operate a PC? Why is it that he can't operate a computer but he help invent the Blackberry? Hmmmmmm, makes you wonder, doesn't it? ha ha ha ha ha

[ebanks84]

You people don't seem to read very well because Biden never once dissed Obama about that ad. Read his words, for heaven's sake and not what you want to think he said.

It never ceases to amaze me at how little people understand because they only "half" read!

[LynndaMaree]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/23/biden-calls-obama-ad-terr_n_128515.html

ebanks, evidently you read very well. Biden did diss Senator Obama. Read it for yourself.

[middlemarch]

it is a bad ad. i thought so when i first saw it. don't run it again. you can talk to some amazing and wise and supremely intelligent people who have no use for computers. mccain, in my opinion, isn't one of them but even if he used the computer as well or better than i do, he wouldn't be ready to be president.

that said, his camp saying he can't use one because of his injuries is, in my opinion, more phony outrage whining. i've seen him wave, and lift his arms (which sean hannity says he cannot do), and i assume he can drive a car. it doesn't take a lot of motion to slam some keys and move a mouse. i think it's because he's had a class of servants/aides for so long. he's never had to have a computer. i mean, what? does he order online from amazon? from lands end? check out sarah palin on you tube?

forget this biden blunder, if you even want to call it one. i love obama but it wasn't his best ad by a longshot.

[MattThorn]

WHAT was Biden thinking? If he has a problem with some aspect of the campaign, wouldn't it make more sense to talk about with Barack than, say, KATIE COURIC ON NATIONAL TELEVISION!? Let us pray that this is not a foreshadowing of things to come.

[BTJ46]

Well Matt, I disagree. I am reasonably certain that Biden did express his problem with the campaign and I haven't seen it running anywhere anymore.
I happen to agree with Biden on this one. While there is a good argument to be made that a presidential candidate (or a CEO) should have a good understanding of information technologies and applications, I don't think it is a key differentiator for the candidates in this campaign and the ad certainly had some potential for alienating other older voters.
But more importantly and positively, I think Biden is giving Barack exactly what he wanted -- an independent voice that is not restricted to being a talking point robot. It is about, in Doris Kearns Goodwin's phrase, a 'team of rivals'.
We should expect Biden and other members of the Obama administration to 'go off script' on occasion and probably stir up some noise from the media -- but what an improvement over the Bush robots that only speak their mind once they've left the administration.