Althouse: Watch Biden make a gaffe about a gaffe right in front of Obama...

January 21, 2009

Watch Biden make a gaffe about a gaffe right in front of Obama...

... who seems to be cursing to himself.

ADDED: I see Obama retook the oath out of "an abundance of caution."

80 comments:

AllenS said...: That's my man.; 1/21/09, 6:11 PM
traditionalguy said...: That was good. The Star cowboy with an old sidekick acting as his straight man. Or is that Sheriff Andy and Barney. No harm done to the lead man Obama, in either event.; 1/21/09, 6:13 PM
walter neff said...: I get it now. You are not qualified to be vice president if you have a retarded child.

You are only qualified if you are the retarded child.; 1/21/09, 6:22 PM
Gahrie said...: When I tried to watch the video at 4:22 PM PST, I got a message that said it was no longer available.

hmmm.....; 1/21/09, 6:23 PM
Meade said...: Caroline pulled out.-- Drudge; 1/21/09, 6:31 PM
Lem Vibe Bandit said...: I'm having problems too..

Says blogger no longer available.. and a bunch of letters.; 1/21/09, 6:31 PM
Rose said...: Actually, it doesn't look like Obama was too happy with Biden.; 1/21/09, 6:32 PM
Rose said...: Blogger had a scheduled outage, I think. 4:00.; 1/21/09, 6:33 PM
Lem Vibe Bandit said...: Ok, blogger seems to be fine now.

Biden is God's answer to our Dan Quale prayers.; 1/21/09, 6:34 PM
Godot said...: Definitely not amused. Not even a little. Watch Obama right after the appreciative groans from the press. He does a little head shake and his mouth tightens. Is he stifling a smile? Or his disapproval?; 1/21/09, 6:34 PM
Unknown said...: You people are desperate. He wasn't making a joke about CJ Roberts; people took it that way, but that's not how it was meant.; 1/21/09, 6:38 PM
Lem Vibe Bandit said...: I think Obama behaved like a president there.

That was good.; 1/21/09, 6:39 PM
J. Cricket said...: I get it now. You are not qualified to be vice president if you have a retarded child.

You are only qualified if you are the retarded child.

Oh Althouse, you "hang out" with the CLASSIEST people! You must be so proud of your little "coffee house."; 1/21/09, 6:51 PM
Skeptical said...: Biden did better with his oath than Obama did. But Biden has more practice repeating others' words.; 1/21/09, 6:54 PM
Lem Vibe Bandit said...: BTW, I just heard on FOX that Obama has taken the oath a second time..

"Out of an abundance of caution"; 1/21/09, 6:54 PM
Hoosier Daddy said...: Actually, it doesn't look like Obama was too happy with Biden.

I don't think he ever was.; 1/21/09, 7:00 PM
David said...: You can just see President Obama thinking "Four more years!" but he ain't chanting it.; 1/21/09, 7:02 PM
traditionalguy said...: If the choice was Sec.of State or VP for Hillary at their pre-conventin meeting, It makes me feel better that this over the hill narcicisst is doing nothing important and is not talking to Foreign leaders for us.; 1/21/09, 7:03 PM
Palladian said...: "You people are desperate. He wasn't making a joke about CJ Roberts; people took it that way, but that's not how it was meant."

Mixalhs, embedded deep in the mind of the Biden. Only the Mixalhs knows his mysterious ways.; 1/21/09, 7:05 PM
Steve M. Galbraith said...: Interesting, as a precaution, Obama took the oath a second time with Roberts.
link; 1/21/09, 7:07 PM
Palladian said...: "Oh Althouse, you "hang out" with the CLASSIEST people! You must be so proud of your little "coffee house."

Well you seem to spend a lot of time here, AJD.

You're the no-whip non-fat sugar-free non-dairy decaf soy latte that no one ever orders but that, mysteriously, is kept on the menu.; 1/21/09, 7:07 PM
Lem Vibe Bandit said...: Biden did better with his oath than Obama did. But Biden has more practice repeating others' words.

LOL.; 1/21/09, 7:13 PM
David said...: CNBC is reporting that Obama retook the oath of office tonight. "How many Harvard Laws Review editors does it take . . . . "; 1/21/09, 7:15 PM
David said...: I watched Obama carefully. You are right. He was not amused.; 1/21/09, 7:18 PM
Bruce Hayden said...: I never thought to say this, but let's all hope that Obama stays healthy and alive the next four years, so we don't have bozo the clown for a president.; 1/21/09, 7:19 PM
Anonymous said...: traditionalguy said...The Star cowboy with an old sidekick acting as his straight man. Or is that Sheriff Andy and Barney.

Obama has Andy's ears.; 1/21/09, 7:20 PM
Ophir said...: Lem said...
I just heard on FOX that Obama has taken the oath a second time..

SMGalbraith said...
Interesting, as a precaution, Obama took the oath a second time with Roberts.

David said...
CNBC is reporting that Obama retook the oath of office tonight.

In case you haven't heard, Obama has taken the oath again.; 1/21/09, 7:23 PM
TitusPanicInTheStreetsofDundy said...: Thank God the past eight years we didn't have a "retard" to hear speak at the podium.; 1/21/09, 7:24 PM
Palladian said...: Uh oh, look out, the sour, humorless "serious" titus is posting comments tonight.; 1/21/09, 7:26 PM
Steve M. Galbraith said...: In case you haven't heard, Obama has taken the oath again.

Okay, wise guy. I missed the earlier post.

And I at least provided a link.

Anyway, who reads the posts of others? This is all about me.; 1/21/09, 7:27 PM
Ophir said...: It's okay, you each reported from different sources: Fox, AP, CNBC.; 1/21/09, 7:36 PM
JohnAnnArbor said...: So, wanna bet Obama picks a different VP for 2012? I mean, Biden's not going to stop being stupid between then and now.; 1/21/09, 7:40 PM
Steve M. Galbraith said...: It's okay, you each reported from different sources: Fox, AP, CNBC.

Yeah, but mine was the best.

I used an "Interesting.." opener, which is always a killer introduction. Just grabs the reader. Pensive but erudite, expressing thoughtfulness with a measure of sophistication.

And a link too. Correctly done.; 1/21/09, 7:40 PM
Anonymous said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 1/21/09, 7:44 PM
vbspurs said...: From the Oath Retaking link:

"Are you ready to take the oath?" Roberts asked.

"I am, and we're going to do it very slowly," Obama replied.

Geez, speaking of serious, humourless types.

The private swearing-in ceremony, sans Bible, took 25 seconds.

Wow. That's interesting. I guess when it really counts, one can dispense with the Christian faith.

Sorry if I sound bitter, but I don't like people who do things just for "show". I'm sure they could've found a Bible in the whole of the White House.

Cheers,
Victoria; 1/21/09, 7:59 PM
campy said...: I just hope the inevitable tax increases don't get done twice.; 1/21/09, 8:01 PM
Steve M. Galbraith said...: "I am, and we're going to do it very slowly," Obama replied.

It's pretty clear from this and how he behaved with Biden that the President is none-too-pleased about this mess up.

He's extremely good at watching how others watch him. Now, when the intensity is a little higher it'll be revealing, I think, to see how he responds to a different environment. Coolness turns into aloofness?

Games within games within games.; 1/21/09, 8:11 PM
Palladian said...: "Sorry if I sound bitter, but I don't like people who do things just for "show". I'm sure they could've found a Bible in the whole of the White House."

As a joke, the outgoing Bush administration took all of them. Unfortunately no one in the Obama administration noticed.; 1/21/09, 8:15 PM
Palladian said...: Wouldn't it be really funny if he'd retaken the oath using a Koran?!

I smell conspiracy!; 1/21/09, 8:15 PM
Ophir said...: Sorry if I sound bitter, but I don't like people who do things just for "show". I'm sure they could've found a Bible in the whole of the White House.

Because of your bitterness you're clinging to religion.; 1/21/09, 8:21 PM
vbspurs said...: LOL, Ophir.; 1/21/09, 8:27 PM
traditionalguy said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 1/21/09, 8:31 PM
vbspurs said...: It's pretty clear from this and how he behaved with Biden that the President is none-too-pleased about this mess up.

No, he's not, you're right. Although what you can see in this click is two things.

1- Clearly Joe Biden is making an inside joke, after the President and he probably spoke about this in private. Joe, being Joe, likes to drop little hints about how important or smart he is (remember the Syracuse IQ thing?), and it's emphasising to Obama that this character can't be trusted to keep his counsel to himself.

He looks pissed at Joe Biden.

2- But he is also very pissed that the Oath, the one which will be in the history books and in the newsreels, was totally botched.

Remember the whole 'Mission Accomplished' mess? Bush never again tried to craft a visual like that again.

In Obama's administration, get ready to expect one pompous visual after another -- but unfortunately, as Simon mentioned as it happened, the very first one, perhaps the most important one, didn't go according to plan.

Cheers,
Victoria; 1/21/09, 8:34 PM
Simon said...: vbspurs said...
"Wow. That's interesting. I guess when it really counts, one can dispense with the Christian faith."

I have no reason to believe he took it seriously when the Bible was there, so I can't think he took it any less seriously without a Bible.; 1/21/09, 8:37 PM
traditionalguy said...: Which oath was the real oath? Was Biden the true President for a day? If not, why did Biden recite the oath? Did Biden beat Obama to it? Did that make Biden Pres. until he resigns? This could cause us to re-count oaths. I blame this mess on the Canadian Blackberry that was put into Obama's hands. Canada is next to Russia where Putin's soul plays its games. Was Biden ever in Manchuria?; 1/21/09, 8:42 PM
Nichevo said...: Blogger SMGalbraith said...

Interesting, as a precaution, Obama took the oath a second time with Roberts.
link

Glad that's settled. Why do Valley Girls wear two diaphragms? Fer shurr, fer shurr.

As long as we're being cautious and doing due dilligence - hey Obie! Whyncha whip out that birth certificate, that Columbia transcript, etc., etc.? Just to be on the safe side.

Funny how the moron, George W. Bush, evidently got it right the first time. (Of course he had practice, having joined the military.)

Do community organizers take oath to support, protect and defend the Constitution? I'm not sure...; 1/21/09, 8:45 PM
Richard said...: "You people are desperate. He wasn't making a joke about CJ Roberts; people took it that way, but that's not how it was meant."

Did Obama take it the wrong way?; 1/21/09, 8:50 PM
George M. Spencer said...: Symptoms of Early Dementia:

Word-finding difficulty - May be able to compensate by using synonyms or defining the word

Forgetting names, appointments, or whether or not the person has done something; losing things

Difficulty performing familiar tasks - Driving, cooking a meal, household chores, managing personal finances

Personality changes (for example, sociable person becomes withdrawn or a quiet person is coarse and silly)

Uncharacteristic behavior

Mood swings, often with brief periods of anger or rage

Poor judgment

Behavior disorders - Paranoia and suspiciousness

Decline in level of functioning but able to follow established routines at home

Confusion, disorientation in unfamiliar surroundings - May wander, trying to return to familiar surroundings

-Web MD.; 1/21/09, 8:55 PM
Wince said...: So, wanna bet Obama picks a different VP for 2012? I mean, Biden's not going to stop being stupid between then and now.

I suspect at the core of the deal with Hillary was that she gets the VP nod in 2012, if she wants it, with the promise that she won't run against Obama in 2012, even if she refuses the VP slot.

It's the deal that makes the most sense for both of them.; 1/21/09, 8:56 PM
campy said...: with the promise that she won't run against Obama in 2012, even if she refuses the VP slot.

How much is a promise from a Clinton worth?; 1/21/09, 9:15 PM
Anonymous said...: It seems that President Obama gets things right on the second or third try. I recall his statement about the Russia/Georgia incident going two or three rounds.

Victoria: You could write Chapter Two of your penny dreadful with that line: "I am, and we're going to do it very slowly," Obama replied.

"Come here, Fool," barked Michelle...; 1/21/09, 9:26 PM
Richard said...: Does Biden’s comment come from an attempt at humor, or does it come from a desire to point out that Roberts made the error? Things like him getting hair plugs and interjecting his IQ to that interviewer in 88 make me think the later. I view this as complete weakness.

Obama’s reaction, however, shows incredible strength. It looks like he shows no worry about how others may view his intelligence. He doesn’t look like he wants to dwell on something clearly beneath him.

I find this hopeful.; 1/21/09, 9:35 PM
Lem Vibe Bandit said...: BTW - In case you haven't heard, Obama has taken the oath again.; 1/21/09, 9:57 PM
Lem Vibe Bandit said...: This is not bad for a first day ;); 1/21/09, 10:02 PM
raf said...: I am relieved that Obama took the oath again. Otherwise, people would be commenting about it incessently.; 1/21/09, 10:11 PM
vbspurs said...: Helen Parr wrote:

Victoria: You could write Chapter Two of your penny dreadful with that line: "I am, and we're going to do it very slowly," Obama replied.

"Come here, Fool," barked Michelle...

LOL.

That line is suddenly pregnant with meaning.

Cheers,
Victoria; 1/21/09, 10:25 PM
Anonymous said...: Victoria: Is there an Obama Baby Bump watch going on now?; 1/21/09, 10:35 PM
Mark O said...: FDR repeated the oath by himself, without prompting. Roberts seemingly had a small stroke and BHO didn't even repeat what Roberts said the second time.

Toobin (ha) said that the 20th Amendment pre-empted the oath. Really?

Someone else may already have posted this, but I had to send it to appropriate friends:

The Significance of the Flubbed Oath: To my mind, the flubbed oath at today's inaugural teaches one important lesson: The answer to the question, "How many former editors of the Harvard Law Review does it take to administer the Presidential oath properly?" is "More than two."; 1/21/09, 10:36 PM
Anonymous said...: "I, state your name, do solemnly..."

This looks like it was thrown together in five minutes. Or maybe Joe is off his meds.; 1/21/09, 10:38 PM
Anonymous said...: "Out of an abundance of caution" perhaps Obama should search for a way to get born again in order to convince everyone that he has a bona fide US birth certificate. Just sayin'....you can't be too cautious.; 1/21/09, 10:39 PM
vbspurs said...: Victoria: Is there an Obama Baby Bump watch going on now?

Funny you should say that, Helen, as Ruth Anne mentioned all the way back in November that Michelle's red/black dress made her look as if she were hiding "a bump". The first time you are pregnant, you look like the Titanic. With each successive pregnancy, it's less and less noticeable, even far along (one of the reasons Palin got away with it, as did my grandmothers).

But Michelle? I don't know.

I think the nation would love it though. Unlike Cherie Blair and Leo, people would actually give a damn about a little Barack Obama III.

Cheers,
Victoria; 1/21/09, 10:44 PM
vbspurs said...: Trivia: re-taking of the Oath.

Which two other presidents re-took the Oath of Office? From the AP link.

Two other previous presidents have repeated the oath because of similar issues, Calvin Coolidge and Chester A. Arthur.

In Coolidge's case, I remember that his dad was a notary public and he administered the Oath (to date, still the only time a Judge hasn't done so).

The wording of the AP post makes it sound as if he flubbed the lines, but I am wondering if it's just about the office holder's position.

With Chet Arthur, I have no idea. He was a clotheshorse ninnyboy, so he probably screwed it up.; 1/21/09, 10:52 PM
Palladian said...: "He doesn’t look like he wants to dwell on something clearly beneath him."

The problem is that he looks at everything that way.; 1/21/09, 10:58 PM
vbspurs said...: The photo of the 2nd Oath is out.

Groundhog Day

(I hat-tipped Theo). :); 1/21/09, 11:03 PM
Ralph L said...: Arthur took over on Garfield's death, didn't he?
The history channel yesterday said another pres took the oath at the WH the day before a public one, but I can't remember which one it was now.; 1/21/09, 11:06 PM
vbspurs said...: Arthur took over on Garfield's death, didn't he?

Exactly. Not sure why the first one wouldn't have been binding.

Wasn't Teddy Roosevelt on a hunting trip when a boy scout or something came rushing up to inform him President McKinley had succumbed to his wounds? Who administered the Oath up there? He certainly didn't retake it.; 1/21/09, 11:09 PM
From Inwood said...: Giving new meaning to the terms “Philadelphia Lawyer”, “pettifogger”, “law monger”.

Oh, well, at least they didn't add any you knows to the prescribed wording.

(Aside: This sorta illustrates the kinda situation for which the principle of "substantial compliance" is the all-purpose cure-all; or the legal maxim: de minimis non curat lex.); 1/21/09, 11:36 PM
Anonymous said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 1/21/09, 11:42 PM
Eric Hammerbacher said...: Ann, what do you think of The Rolling Stones? I love "Ruby Tuesday" and "She Smiled Sweetly" but I've never really been able to get with the Stones and I can't articulate why very well. Same thing with Led Zeppelin and especially Pink Floyd. Everybody seems to love Pink Floyd and to me it's always been way too sentimental/political. It's like something was supposed to happen to me when I turned 14 or 13 that never happened.; 1/22/09, 5:54 AM
Michael Haz said...: Obama has been sworn in for a second term.

The over/under on Biden is four years.; 1/22/09, 6:35 AM
AllenS said...: Can you imagine Biden as president? I can visualize the country laughing half the time, and crying the other half.; 1/22/09, 6:38 AM
Bob said...: Biden as President - that would sure cause many people to rethink National Health Care.; 1/22/09, 8:56 AM
Bob said...: BTW, the picture showing the second swearing in doesn't show a bible. This will no doubt cause some issue for some. Doesn't speak well to Obama's staff or the SCOTUS CJ managing this. They needed one prop and manage to talk thru one set of lines and so far neither have not been successful after two attempts. Has anyone heard of having a couple of rehearsals first?; 1/22/09, 9:10 AM
Original Mike said...: The thought of President Biden scares the bejeezus out of me.; 1/22/09, 9:10 AM
Bob said...: Biden is like Cheney - assassination insurance. Another way Obama continues Bush policies.; 1/22/09, 10:36 AM
David said...: Victoria sez:

"Are you ready to take the oath?" Roberts asked.

"I am, and we're going to do it very slowly," Obama replied.

Geez, speaking of serious, humourless types.

I took Obama's "very slowly" comment as humor and self deprecation. He knows the Oath started going off kilter when he jumped the gun right at the start.

I think it's a good line. Not as good as the one attributed to Sasha when they visited the Lincoln Memorial, though. "First black President, Dad? You better be good."; 1/22/09, 11:24 AM
Anthony said...: I thought LBJ took it twice, too.; 1/22/09, 12:04 PM
Trooper York said...: No, Doris took it twice from LBJ.

Allegdedly.; 1/23/09, 1:02 PM
jeff said...: "Thank God the past eight years we didn't have a "retard" to hear speak at the podium."

Boy no kidding. Thank God. Dodged two bullets there. One back at his huge mansion trying to get rich(er) from stupid people and global warming and the other back in the Senate where his damage can be mitigated.

Good call sour, humorless "serious" titus. Good call indeed.; 1/24/09, 12:07 AM
LorbGood said...: You are all getting a firsthand look at the complete jerk Biden is (not to mention thief, ask the contractors in DE who have been burned by a not-so-funny and threatening Mr. Biden, when he was dunned for owed money) by seeing what an immature smirky washed up fool he is. I am no fan of Obama, but clearly, he was annoyed with his choice of VP in this video. It was staged and rehearsed and ole Joe probably practiced that line all day before the little performance. Loved the comment about how much practice he has repeating others' words. Classic, and true.; 1/25/09, 7:06 PM