Barack Obama wants to be president of these 57 United States

Ah, Oregon. The beautiful Northwest. Rain. Trees. Clouds. Rain. Friendly territory for Sen. Barack Obama, the leading contender for the Democratic Party's long-disputed presidential nomination.

So there he was in Beaverton today at the start of a two-day swing through Oregon, virtually ignoring his remaining Democratic opponent, what's-her-name from New York, as part of his new strategy to act like the actual nominee while she flails around way behind in numbers.

Naturally, this being the Northwest where everything is not ruined quite yet, his staff had Obama visit an eco-friendly company, Vernier Software & Technology, that makes products for science teachers. He could get education in there too, see?

In his prepared remarks Obama was ready to start blasting Arizona Sen. John McCain, the presumptive Republican nominee, to show the Illinois Democrat is moving on to the general election campaign.

But first the freshman senator had to go through all the....

...obligatory delighted to see you, delighted to be here part of stump speeches that also require that you actually know where you are.

Obama pulled that off O.K. But then he drifted away from the text a tad, as rookies are wont to do sometimes, forgetting how exhausting this primary process is and should be. And trusting in their instincts, their very tired instincts.

"It is wonderful to be back in Oregon," Obama said. "Over the last 15 months, we’ve traveled to every corner of the United States. I’ve now been in 57 states? I think one left to go. Alaska and Hawaii, I was not allowed to go to even though I really wanted to visit, but my staff would not justify it."

The Times' conscientious Robin Abcarian thought she heard something different there. She checked her tape recorder. It had captured what he had actually said -- 57 states now. A new Louisiana Purchase that's gone unannounced so far? Was he channeling his inner John Kerry-Heinz 57 personality?

(UPDATE: At a later stop Obama was talking with reporters and expressed concern he'd also mis-stated the number of potential cyclone victims in Burma. He said, ""I hope I said 100,000 people the first time instead of 100 million. I understand I said there were 57 states today. It's a sign that my numeracy is getting a little, uh." At that point, an aide cut him off and ushered journalists out. Before he could mis-speak again?)

Oh, and as far as Hawaii voters are concerned, they're probably delighted to learn that Obama's campaign staff doesn't think that tiny state can justify an appearance by his eminence, even though he did a lot of growing up there. Or maybe because he was there.

Let's see what they do with that in the Honolulu media, which the Republicans have probably already notifed.

Maybe it's Obama's age. He's getting up there in his forties, you know.

(ANOTHER UPDATE: Because of a new development in this situation another item on this subject has been posted here.)

--Andrew Malcolm

Photo Credit: AP / Joe Raymond

Comments

[N.E. BodybutHillary]

Wow! Andrew caught Barack in a bold face lie. Barack was clearly lying about there being 57 states.

[Gromit]

A slip of the tongue, perhaps suggested by use of Heinz condiments ("57 Varieties") on the campaign trail?

I don't think he's worried that Hillary can "ketchup," do you?

[Randy]

Obama is going to make a great POTUS!

I'm so glad Judas Clinton is on the way out!

[Marks]

Pitiful!

This will go with the flag pin, pledge of Allegiance, not using a Bible for the oath of Office blather made up news headlines and gets sent through email.

When people think Obama is a Muslim then criticize him for belonging to a Christian Church 20 years with that wacky Rev. Wright, the media has created stupid confusions.

Some don't think he's American either and how would they come up with that if wasn't lies and misinformation spread?

Add some racist tone which is likely by Clinton supporters these days, since she's looking for every white vote now, zowie got Obama!

[Marshall]

Glad to see Obama has a sense of humor after all this Clinton drama!

[steve]

The last time I looked this was the USA. Our founding fathers put into place a system whereby the citizens could speak......ALL OF THEM....

You may be a Obama supporter I am a feedom dupporter. Call it in June after everyone has their vote counted in the primaries.

What are all you Obama supporters so afraid of......something true and really scary may come out about your inexperienced arrogent canidate?

GIVE IT A REST...THEIS IS AMERICA LET THE SYSTEM PLAY IT OUT AND SHUT UP...WE ALL KNOW YOU LOVE THE CREEP....

[Mitchell in New York]

Ah, but Hillary thinks she still may have Florida and Michigan...

See, “Hillary and the Genie Do Florida and Michigan: A play in one very short act”

http://msa4.wordpress.com/

[chris]

I agree with "steve" - Just like Ron Paul, Clinton is still in the race. Clinton and Ron Paul both have about an equal chance to win.

Who knows, It might be Clinton Vs Ron Paul in November!

[Franky]

to steve:

The Founding Fathers did not support political parties - infact George Washington said that if political parties are formed, it would be the downfall of our system.

I believe they would be laughing their butt off at what a broken system we use now.

You can vote in November for ANYONE.

P.S. Its also funny that you say to call it in June, then demand that it be let to play out. LOL - must be nice to be able to randomly decide when is the "right" time to end this process. Why not just follow the party rules?

[Stuart KD]

There are 50 US states, and six US territories.
Puerto Rico
U.S. Virgin Islands
American Samoa
Guam
Northern Mariana Islands
Minor Outlying Islands (Wake Island and Johnston Island)

And one US-administered region, Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

Obama may have misspoke about 57 states, but in all US territories and administered regions, the head of state is the President of the United States.

[dkny]

Guam, Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Washington D.C., Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa all territories not states. I recall is vacation to the Virgin Islands and trips elsewhere. I think people need to use their heads a little more on this one.

[BJ]

Wonder how Obamabots would react if they woke up and found out this was all a dream, and Obama WILL NOT be the nominee?

They have been so offensive, I can not even feign sympathy for them.

But I caution, this is not over! There is more lurking in the background that could rear it's ugly head. 6 weeks is a lifetime in politics.

And don't bother to be conciliatory. We know it's only because you need our votes. Well, it's not going to happen.

[JB]

@ BJ -

How's that Operation Chaos working out for you so far? LOL - you ReFUDlicans are all the same.

Dividing the great nation is the only way the extremist views of the republicans could have a chance. Sorry, but this nation is done with the republican terrorists. You and the other Rush stooges will have a long 8 years ahead of you!

BJ - Maybe you should join "Operation Get out of Mom's Basement" next!

[mariann]

A lot of wishful thinking seems to be reflected in these posts, as in I-can't-believe-it's-butter-it's-Obama for the Democratic Party Nominee. Let the primary voting system play itself out on June 3rd. Eeven Obama agreed and expressed that with CNN's Wolf Blizter. He needs to continue campaigning in the remaining six states and be gracious about it (unlike someone else we all know). When it's all over, Hillary can write her next book about her experiences running for President as the first viable female by Disney-fying all of her accounts.....

[Robbie]

We're going to have a brilliant person in the white house. A real leader. Obama will make a great President. What a thrill.

[mary]

This is like when he said that Oregon was part of the great lakes. What a fool. To think he his from Illinois that has part of the great lakes. I think he also bought his degree like the SD.

[linda]

point is the dummy can't speak "eloquently" unless he is reading from a teleprompter.

Another ad for McCaini if he has the guts to use it.

[The Bag of Health and Politics]

Who cares? There was a time when journalists corrected people who misspoke with crap like this to reflect what they were trying to say instead of playing gotcha. But playing gotcha is such a critical issue to the country. For the record, Obama was trying to say he's campaigned in 47 states, and hasn't campaigned in three. I believe he has not campaigned in Utah, Florida, and Alaska. (He went to Detroit before the Michigan Primary was de-certified back in 2007).

[AVWrobel]

Obambi is desparate! He is trying to create the inevitable. Florida and Michigan have 200 delegates (elected and super) and they are angry at Obambi's continual screw job. This is nowhere near over. Contribute at HillaryClinton.com. chipped in $220 two days ago. Let's go Hillary!

[Kelly]

This isn't the first time Obama has forgotten how many states there are.

Obama giving a talk to his fans at the Associated Press: "And I've now campaigned in 47 states, actively. And I think South Dakota is the last state that I have not had a campaign event in.

Now that doesn't mean that I expect that I will win all 50 --or 48 states and Alaska and Hawaii -- all 50 states..."

[Kay Dye]

so.. more media driven false controversies! Seriously, does anyone really care if a politician mispeaks?

McCain is a corporate shill whose wife refuses to release her tax returns and they get a pass.

[dean]

57 states? That ranks right up there with Quayle misspelling potato. This guy is a real brain trust.

[Joe]

Obama will not be a president of any states this year.

[Jeremiah Wrong]

The empty suit.

[John]

He was joking! Please tell me you are all not this dense. The guy graduated from Harvard, and is a US Senator - I think he knows how many states there are!

[BJ]

TO JB

No problem... actually the past 7 years have been very rewarding. And I am a registered democrat, but you may be right... I might just keep taking those tax cuts, thank you very much!

I was willing to accept a tax hike, if Hillary were the nominee, for a more equitable distribution of the tax burden... but I will not pay for the sloths of society! And this is what your candidate is suggesting.

[Linda C.]

Maybe we are going to have 57 states in some future world of hope and change.

[Patrick]

The Democratic primary season contains 57 events (including Michigan and Florida), so that might be where he got the number. I'm sure some aide said it at one point.

Still, yeah, 50 states is sort of a thing an American says relfexively, which means Obama is unamerican*. Quod erat demonstradum.

*-Offer not valid outside the contiguous 53 states**
**-yeah, I am kidding around here

[Mike]

Actually, BHO thinks that there are 60 states. He has visited 57; there is one more to go to; Alaska and Hawaii are to far away to be worth the bother.

So, 60. That's real Chicago-style vote counting!!!

[sc341]

This is hysterical, when Dan Quayle spelled potato with an E, potatoe the Media went totally nuts. I can't wait to see how they give him a pass. Also, I think this is a little worse than John McCain getting his Shiites & Sunnis mixed up. He forgot how many States there are? Maybe he's been smoking too many funny cigarettes lately.

[Geoffrey Lane]

Andrew Malcolm, you are clearly so rabid in your anti-Obama stance that you have 'lost your bearings'. The article reads like an out of control rant. Are you seriously suggesting Obama does not know how many states there are? Can we move on?

This kind of tripe rises from the small minds of Obama detractors because there is nothing substantive to complain about. Articles like this are so childish and destructive. I am not a democrat, but I am impressed with Obama because of the kind of campaign he has run. This is the first election in my adult life where the candidate is clearly calling for you and all Republicans to unite under one flag. I can't speak for everyone, but we've tried hating each other and polarizing the electorate with pigeon holing and smears, but I, for one, and ready for something different.

If you would just take a deep breath, Obama would listen to all your brilliant proposals. He has made a career talking to both parties and building consensus. To all the Republicans reading this, I hope you guys take a second look at this guy. He is not nearly as far left as you think, and he has shown he is willing to accommodate opposing views. I am a proud Republican, but this is a once in a lifetime candidate. I like capital gains taxes low, but if people at the bottom cannot fill up their gas tanks, I will gladly sacrifice 10% of my investment income and pay a few more taxes.

I may be naive, but I have a very good feeling about Obama, and what he says he will do. As long as he keeps telling the truth he will have my support and I am willing to support, even pay for, a different strategy for America.

(Lighten up, Geoffrey. We're equal opportunity offenders if you'd ever read anything other than the ones about your fave. Be sure to return here in a few hours because we'll have the actual video of Obama announcing the new states. Plus news of an amazing political gadget for his campaign.)

[BarryManilow]

Andrew Malcolm, well he made some mistakes because he is a rookie. But what's your girl, Hillary's excuse? With all those incedible 'experience' she has been trumpeting about, not to mention her not so young years and the connections the 8-year stint in the White House guarantees, she has done a pretty miserable job, don't you think?

Oh, she also had an ex-president going around like a person on some substance rallying behind her while Obama had to clean up the mess his crazy ex-pastor created. Despite all this, this 40 something rookie still managed to keep his grace and cool under fire whereas you girl was all over the place from shotting down whisky to gun totting while dropping lies after lies.

It has been one hellavue test of character and we all the who the losers are and they are the last to know, as always.

[SandyS]

I just don't understand why so many Obama supporters feel the need to bash a very intelligent, experienced stateswoman like Senator Clinton. I like Obama, but Senator Clinton is my choice based on her experience. After 8 long years of total disaster, I truly don't want a learning curve - I want someone who knows what they're doing from the very beginning. Why do you folks do that? I suspect it truly is misogyny. When will it ever end? What woman would be good enough for you people - maybe not to vote for, but good enough not to bash and denigrate?

[liamascorcaigh]

His remarks imply 60 (sixty) states: 57 (inc. Oregon) which he has visited plus one (1) more to visit plus Alaska and Hawaii (2) which his staff won't let him go to. Sixty.

He's obviously exhausted and misspoke. Still, no more cracks about McCain's "bearings" anytime soon.

For mor epolitical comment visit my blog "Chris Mathews Other Leg" by clicking on my name.

[Ward Tipton]

He may have said fifty seven states. What I like was the one more being both Alaska and Hawaii. So now 57+1 =59 which is the same as 50 right? Hmmm. I understand how tiring campaigning must be but ... ummmm ... from someone to want to run this country, that is not very comforting.

[James]

You guys should get a grip on life and move on...

The guy was joking...

He was born in the USA, He graduate from Harvard; he was in charge of Harvard law review; he was a consitutional Lawyer; he was teaching law in the university; he was a state senator for about 7 years; he has been in the US senate for about 3 years.....

Do you guys really thing a guy with such a history does not know the number of states that are in the US.

This is the bases for that joke...

There are 50 states in the US....

Six US territories.

1. Puerto Rico
2. Virgin Islands
3. American Samoa
4. Guam
5. Northern Mariana Islands
6. Minor Outlying Islands (Wake Island and Johnston Island)

And one US-Administered region:

1. Guantanamo Bay

If you do the maths, the US president is in charge of these 57 states, territories, regions...

(Nice try, James. He wasn't joking. Did you watch the video? But it is hilarious.)

[zach wilson]

Jesus Christ, it was a joke. Humor by exaggeration. I don't think Obama is pandering to the Guantanamo Bay Statehood faction up there.

[Bobc]

I'm not a McCain supporter, but can you imagine what the press and others would be saying about him, if he had said this?

Where are the politicians with the common sense and pride of country of our forefathers......they were much more intelligent than the ones we have now!

[Clintonfatigue McCloned]

the guy is saying the truth...the US have 57 states, territories or regions...

Obama must have been joking or applying a more advanced analysis of USA's laws & boundaries, the type you see from constitutional lawyers that knows the law and US territories. His problem was talking about it as if, this is a common knowledge to the everyday American.

He was born in the USA, He graduate from Harvard; he was in charge of Harvard law review; he was a consitutional Lawyer; he was teaching law in the university; he was a state senator for about 7 years; he has been in the US senate for about 3 years.....

Do you guys really think that a guy with such a pedigree does not know the number of states that are in the US.
This is the bases for his thoughts...

There are 50 STATES in the US....

Six US TERRITORIES.

1. Puerto Rico
2. Virgin Islands
3. American Samoa
4. Guam
5. Northern Mariana Islands
6. Minor Outlying Islands (Wake Island and Johnston Island)

And one US-Administered REGION:

1. Guantanamo Bay

If you do the maths, the US A president is in charge of these 57 states, territories or regions...you know this from civil classes and before one becomes a USA constitutional lawyer or in charge of Harvard Law review, he will know this and more..

[Patrick]

Obomba said children were a punishment. The only punishment for him is looking in the mirror day after day.

[Stevo]

Hussein is just trying to give Hillary a little HOPE that things can CHANGE for her before the primaries.

[raven]

OMG! Is this what we would have to look forward to
W.O.R.M.? My family, which includes veterans, says to
Sen. Clinton, carry on! Every voter has a right to cast their ballot and be heard. We need the strongest candi-
date to run as our nominee. The MSM does NOT get to
pronounce who that individual is .
Sen Obama is seeking to make a "victory" speech of a
sort on May 20th before he's secured the nomination.
That is the height of disrepect for the process, those
who've yet to vote, and Sen.Clinton. What is the need
to further alienate her supporters?
Sen.Clinton is fighting to represent ALL of us. Not as
Donna Brazile identified the "new coalition" of the Demo-
cratic party. So, she would just dispense with the rest
of us. Donna ihas really gotten on my third nerve! As a
multi-racial person, I say run til the end. We are be-
hind you and proud of you! We are now telling our daug-
ters...ONE DAY THAT CAN BE YOU!!!

[Radarmel]

What a fool... if this guy is elected it will make GW look like a Yale gradutate... oh, wait he was... and look how that turned out. I can't believe that everyone is so snowed by this guy, It remindes me of 2000, how the Republican zealots stood up for GW, defending him around every turn and miscalculation and everytime he misspoke his team and army would correct him... "oh, what he meant to say was...blah blah blah"
And here we are again... defending him, correcting him and carring him.... DO WE WANT ANOTHER 4 YEARS of someone that is so out of touch with what is really happening in the USA??? I don't and good luck keeping him up while he is falling.

[Duros Hussein 62]

Geez, Andrew, editorialize much?

[Andrea]

Who cares if Hillary won states like New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, California, Texas, Nevada, and is poised to slam Obama in West Virginia and Kentucky? Obama was annointed from the start by a Republican-owned media who used every tool at their disposal to derail Hillary. If I were her, I'd shun the VP spot and lead millions of white working voters to victory in 2012. McCain will have really fouled things up by then.

[John Wayne]

57 states??? Well, it will go with all his other things.... flag lapel pin etc. Individually they are nothing, together they are something. While I do think he made a mistake in this one, there has been a lot of them in his candidacy, and it does bring up his inexperience yet again.

[Are you kidding me?]

So I guess McCain should be President now. After all, Obama said "States" instead of "States and Territories".

But then McCain said: "Bomb-bomb-bomb ... bomb-bomb-Iran"

And McCain said: "We should stay in Iraq"

And McCain said: "Sunnis come from Iran"

But hey, if you mis-speak about something REALLY important, like "57 States" instead of "57 States and Presidents" ... well, that's just too important.

I'd rather have McCain, and his promised 100 years of protracted war in the wrong country, and an inference that we'll further invade the rest of the region.

McCain's eternal war sounds much more appealing than Obama. After all, Obama omits words like "territory". That's so important to me as a voter.

[Ken Pressley]

It appears Obama thinks there are 60 states not 57. He said he has been to 57 with one to go but was not allowed to go to Alaskea and Hawaii.

[Laurence McCabe]

Obama thinks Iraq, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, Pakistan , Cuba and Mexico are the other states in The 57 States.
Great, just what we need more aid to dependent children.

[Trevor]

Come on, he obviously meant to say 47 not 57, big deal, so his misspoke. 47 would be correct because he said there is 1 to go to and he didn't go to Alaska or Hawaii, hence 47. The guy doesn't get much sleep and he said 57 instead of 47, give him a break, damn.