McCain Hits Biden Gaffes In Debate Day Ad

The McCain campaign is out with a video press release Thursday designed to make Sen. Joe Biden seem unsteady and gaffe-prone in anticipation of tonight's vice presidential debate.

Titled "Embarrass," the spot is a veritable greatest hits list of Biden verbal blunders. But considering the seriously wobbly roll out of Gov. Sarah Palin and the McCain campaign's recent denunciations of "gotcha" journalism, putting out a web ad like this requires a certain amount of political chutzpah. Not to mention, a campaign usually tries to raise the expectations of its opponent prior to the debate, not deflate them. Should Biden get through the debate without gaffing, would it now be considered a success for him?

Here is the full script:

ANNCR: What might Joe Biden say at tonight's debate? Anything's possible.

JOE BIDEN: I think I probably have a much higher I.Q. than you do. ... What am I talking about?

ANNCR: We know he has impeccable tact.

JOE BIDEN: You cannot go to a 7-Eleven or a Dunkin' Donuts, unless you have a slight Indian accent. I'm not joking. ... What am I talking about?

ANNCR: Maybe he'll send Hillary in his place?

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JOE BIDEN: Hillary Clinton is as qualified or more qualified than I am. Might have been a better pick than me. ... What am I talking about?

ANNCR: And what might he say about his vote to raise taxes on those making just $42,000 a year?

JOE BIDEN: It's time to be patriotic Kate, time to jump in, time to be part of the deal.

ANNCR: We know he'd never embarrass himself.

JOE BIDEN: Stand up Chuck. Let them see you! Oh, God love you, what am I talking about?

ANNCR: Ready to gaffe? Yes. Ready to lead? No.

Comments

[milo h minderbinder]

Now that the debate is over and Biden nailed it, sure looks like this ad was a misfire in a HUGE way.

[AmandaBC]

This is like the "I'm a Mac" commercial that backfired big time, making Apple's own product look like something for rich snobs and the PC like unpretentious and truly for the rest of us...

[pupbayer]

I love Joe, too, but he does say the dumbest stuff. One minute is too short a time to get many of them in. I thought it was very clever to play the "what am I talking about" as a theme. It's nice to see Republicans can have a sense of humor. They're usually sooooo dry.

[monyae]

I LOVE JOE BUT THATS HELLA FUNNY!!! LOL! ITS LIKE A TRAILER TO A COMEDY. "WHAT AM I TALKIN ABOUT"? LOL! LOVE YA JOE

[YouDisgustMe]

weak ad....joe biden's already known as a "gaffer" so his gaffes don't matter as much as they would with other politicians

[pupbayer]

I think you're right but why is it that his gaffes, mistakes, whatever they are don't matter as much as they would with other politicians?

[YouDisgustMe]

uhhh...because he's a "gaffer"? lol

he's had so many gaffes (3 decades worth) that it just no longer matters....we're talking about someone who has gotten away with NUMEROUS racial gaffes but somehow is still here...the guy's immune

[MellyKat]

I think that ad made me like Biden even more. That's all they could come up with from Biden's last 30 years? At least he doesn't look like a moose caught in Katie Couric's headlights when he screws up...

[veggiequeenmo]

big deal. btw - was that palin's governors mansion wallpaper in the backgound?

[TrooAmerican]

Ok, Joe, its time to get real. John McCain doesnt give a Rip about you, so stop calling him a "good friend of yours" he'd sell you out in a hearbeat, insult you and call you names without blinking.

Its time to say, "the old John McCain was my friend, not this John McCain, he's changed for the worse and this man has lost his way, his honor, his integrity and his honesty."

[LeftLeftLeft]

Good grief! That's the kind of ad soundtrack that would make me hit the mute button. . .

Sorry, McCain . . . "What did you say?"

[RAFord24]

As usual the McCain-Palin camp has to fight dirty because they have nothing to run on but condesending and rude ads. You can't call McCain honorable...he's trying to win by any means.

[redhead55]

As usual, McCain's concentrating on those important issues. But this one seems especially funny with the running mate he chose. These guys reek of desperation.

[themodernleader]

Such an ad suggests that McCain's propaganda arm is simply going through the motions to fulfill their contractual agreements. This is simply not the year for Republicans. Hopefully, a new opposition party will develop that shows fidelity to our Constitution.

[dav8d777]

Well, actually they might have let old Joe off easy. For a guy who's been hanging around the senate for 30 years, this wasn't much of an indictment.

The whole ad also gets way outside of the "expectations game" the campaigns have been having. Why would the McCain campaign try to lower expectations of Biden? It seems to be outside of the conventional wisdom.

[Tobiason]

I say an ineffective ad. People might not care for mild gaffes to lighten up a little bit.

[pomawg]

Give until it hurts, if McCain wins we'll feel real PAIN. DONATE: http://www.barackobama.com