Barack Obama not so sure what Senate committee he's on

Maybe it's simple fatigue from the grueling pace of campaigning for American votes in the United States for 18 months and then campaigning for American votes all over the Middle East and Europe for nearly a week. He might need four years to rest up.

Or maybe it's simply Barack Obama's advancing age. After age 28, you know, the body and mind start to go. And in only 13 years Obama will be 60. And will have endured two teenage girls.

The freshman Illinois senator slipped up again Wednesday on his foreign field trip. In a news conference answering a local reporter's question about what he'd done to protect Israel's security, Obama cited a bill "we passed" just last week tightening sanctions against Iran in the Senate Banking Committee -- "my committee."

Of course, everyone but Obama knows that isn't Obama's committee. If Obama was the chairman of the Senate Banking Committee, he would have been getting preferential loan interest rates from Countrywide Financial like the real banking committee chairman, Sen. Chris Dodd, who has endorsed Obama, who isn't even on that committee. (See the video below.)

Some blogs like WakeUpAmerica and HotAir (video hat tip) interpreted Obama's misstatement as an intentional attempt to overstate his efforts. That would indeed be shocking in the middle of a political campaign.

This is the whole Obama news conference quote: “Just this past week, we passed out of

the U.S. Senate Banking Committee -- which is my committee -- a bill to call for divestment from Iran as a way of ratcheting up the pressure to ensure that they don’t obtain a nuclear weapon.” Frankly, he certainly doesn't sound very uncertain there about who did what.

This gaffe follows one in Oregon back in May when Obama said he'd visited 57 states with one more to go. That was the same day he suggested a recent typhoon might have killed 100 million people in Burma, which he later corrected to 100,000.

Previously, he talked about conferring with the president of Canada, which doesn't have one. And then that bitter small-town-people-clinging-to-their-guns-and-religion remark that was just mis-speaking but didn't help him in central Pennsylvania precincts soon after. 

And then in May the Illinois senator bounced onto the stage before an enthusiastic crowd at a Midwestern primary rally and exclaimed, "Thank you, Sioux City!" The crowd fell silent because all these years those people thought they'd been living in Sioux Falls, which is in South Dakota, not Iowa. Obama realized his mistake and corrected himself. And everyone was relieved.

Marc Ambinder, the political blogger at TheAtlantic.com, wondered online then if the very same serial gaffes would be so quickly and easily dismissed as quite obviously and simply fatigue-related had they been made by an older candidate, say, someone in their 70s in a different political party. Or would they ignite suspicions of senility? It's a good question.

Republican Sen. John McCain and Democratic ex-Sen. Sam Nunn keep talking about Czechoslovakia, which disappeared as a country 15 years ago. McCain has also apparently confused Iraq and Afghanistan and Somalia and Sudan, also the Packers and Steelers. And Hillary Clinton often told a now-famous tale, later also blamed on fatigue, about undergoing sniper fire during a visit to Bosnia, which had been filmed and showed no such thing. McCain is 71. Nunn is 69. Clinton is 60. Brett Favre is 38.

Fortunately, these folks have staff who can scurry around after the stumble and straighten things out. Obama's office late Wednesday offered that the senator had meant to say, "my legislation." Nice try.

The country can only hope that when that 3 a.m. call comes in the White House next year, it doesn't concern Czechoslovakia or Obama isn't too tired.

-- Andrew Malcolm

Comments

[Ben]

I might call the company i work for 'my company', but i don't mean that i own them.

I don't see a gaffe here.

[dave]

in favor of irresponsible individual behavior, people overrule innate human values to externalize rules and laws they hope will exempt them from responsibility. this is the source of power that creates its own immunity, and the demise of freedom. until people realize that they cannot try to delegate their responsibility and cheat their conscience without impunity, they will create their own slavery. what wonder if people empowered by individual irresponsibility, will by the same corruptness, proceed to increase their power? the only sane reason to vote for anyone is to defend your own interests and principles. otherwise you lose. your country, your freedom, and your principles. even by listening to any of the candidates, it is perfectly possible to determine whether they are qualified to represent your principles. the choice is easy if you narrow it down by simply excluding all the would-be presidential nominees you've seen deliberately lying about anything. even once. you just can't afford that.

[ericmiami]

Why didn't Malcolm list all or even most of McCain's serious gaffes?

Fox "News" awaits you, Mr. Malcolm, if you ever felt like you'd be more comfortable among your own kind.

[memy]

Ben commented: I might call the company i work for 'my company', but i don't mean that i own them. I don't see a gaffe here.

Well, Obama is not even a member of this committee, and he bill hes talking about is of course a bipartisan bil.

[Reader in Indiana]

This is such a non-story. There are more important things to report on in the world. Someone can say - "my committee" and simply be saying - it's a committee they're concerned for - or invested in. If we're going to focus on real gaffes - we should ask why Senator McCain called his wife a "C_NT" in public. That's the worst gaffe that anything I can imagine. No one should disrespect their wife like that. We need to stop sexism and hatred against women. I believe we must respect women. Senator McCain is not an ally to women. Senator Obama is an ally to women. To see what I mean - go to http://WomenForBarackObama.com

[Robert Dale]

The gaffe is the LA Times' putting a link to the words of this useless excuse for a journalist Andrew Malcolm on its web page.

This type of talk does not help anyone. Malcolm needs to grow up, after he finds a job he is qualified for.

Heaven forbid that Malcom was President and Putin were to scratch his nose.

[Robert Dale]

It was Obama's bill Malcom. He deserves credit, just not for the committee. Why don't you try doing some research once in a while. Get your pal McCain to show you the Googles.

[carolyne]

BHO is the worst canidate and the most arrogant SOB that has ever run for prez of the USA - what a disgrace. Obamanation is a liar, over exaggerates every chance he gets, and is a stupid idiot. I saw on Fox news BO thought Fox news was being watched more in the military because someone like the commander and chief told them to watch only Fox. How paranoid can you get? That is what smoking those drugs does for you. He was standing there on the plane - arms folded with that snub nose elitist look talking down to people attitude when he said that! It was caught on video so he can't deny that gaffe of many, IMO he has made many, many gaffes - thinking he had been to 57 states, Yea right, there are 57 Islamic States. Barrack Hussinsane Obama just forgot where he was for the moment. Obama is loyal to Islam not Israel and Israel does not need to fall prey for that BIG LIE. Neither is he loyal to Hispanics, or Americans - just long enough to get elected - God Forbid! God Bless the USA!

Elect John McCain and keep it the White House and you are right Dave we cannot afford to elect a liar like Obama! Thank You!

Curse the NYT - they are an Obamanation to our Country~ May they get their just deserves along with the traitor Demorats, and Queen Nancy Pelosi, plus the rest of the Mafia Media - of which I have boycotted.

[AK]

Ben is wrong, but in his defense, this post could have been written more clearly. The post spends a lot of time pointing out that Obama isn't the chairman of the Banking Committee, but never gets to the heart of the gaffe: Obama is not a member of the banking committee.

[debeer]

Ben commented: " I don't see a gaffe here" Of course you don't. You drank the kool aid. Unreal

[concerned reader]

who cares about minor gaffes. i want some real news

[nan]

Objama can't get the capitol of Isreal straight. The man can't speak...he needs some notes or telepromter. It's sad but he can't speak that is why he won't have a Town Hall with Mccain. Mccain may not be the choice of half the country but he can speak. Maybe "rock Stars" don't have to? After all he has 400 advisors! Ever heard of such a thing?? This is serious stuff.

[coolrepublica]

Ben #1

You might have a point there. That's why when it's time for a raise I go to my boss and I tell him I need more of "my money" that "my company" owes me. He is always very understanding of the fact that "my money" should be handed to me ASAP.

Jokes aside, you are a moron. if John Mccain had called some committee he doesn't serve on "his" and tried to take credit for legislations it had passed, you would again be the first one on this blog calling him delusional.

Earth to Obama and his team. He is not president. There are only 57 states. "The bomb" did not fall on Pearl Harbor. Memorial day is not Veterans day and the banking committee is not his committee.

[dan]

This is not a gaffe, nor is it just a general ownership of the senate...he said "look at my deeds" and then said what a comittee that he has nothing with passed!!! We could excuse the 57 states, or any of the other goofs of the tongue, but here he was for sure answering a question by crediting to himself this stand!!!

[tchanta]

Senate Banking Committee Passes Obama Provisions on Divestment in Iran Sanctions Bill
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Printable Format

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Michael Ortiz, 202 228 5566

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Barack Obama today applauded the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee's passage of the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability and Divestment Act of 2008, which includes provisions Obama offered last year in the Iran Sanctions Enabling Act of 2007 (S. 1430). The Obama provisions clarify that state and local governments can divest from companies that invest $20 million or more in Iran's energy sector and provide safe harbor for private fund managers who divest from such companies. The Committee approved the measure by a vote of 19 to 2.

"Preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons is a vital national security priority. In addition to an aggressive, direct, and principled diplomatic effort, we must continue to increase economic pressure on Iran to convince its government to halt its nuclear program, support for terrorist activity, and threats toward Israel.

"This important bipartisan legislation will allow state and local governments and private fund managers to divest from companies that support Iran's energy sector, reducing the revenue Iran uses to expand its nuclear program and sponsor terrorist groups like Hezbollah and Hamas.

"I commend Chairman Dodd for his leadership on this important issue, and I call on the Senate to quickly pass this legislation."

[Matt]

Barak is as dis-ingenious a person as there is on the planet. McCain is not a great alternative. It's time we stop this Democrat vs. Republican crap and move forward with a TRUE representative republic. One where our liberties are preserved. The 10 Amendments to the U.S. Constitution did not GRANT us rights, they GUARANTEED rights that already existed and said that government can not take them away! By the way, I mean all 10, not just the second or first or fourth, but all collectively. Until we wake up and demand honesty and stop settling for the lesser of two evils we will never again be truly free. Socialism or Fascism, take your pick... or make the better, but harder, choice and choose FREEDOM!
www.commonsenseguy.wordpress.com

[We take no prisoners and we eat the wounded]

Stuttering Barack is realy loosing it ...Ya ? Of course he is and who cares ? He will cling defeat from the jaws of victory like a good liberal dem.

[Mindy Cakalovitch]

Well I sure dont want this friend of Amadinedjad as potus
and as a matter of fact,I sure hope he resigns as senator and joins Rezko in the slamer

[I hate LA times]

Its the haters of OBAMA like LA times just spreading malice and propagada! your days are numbered! RAPPER NASH will be on your ass soon!

[I hate LA times]

nan - I hope you are not a nanny of one of LA times journalists! coz you plain sucjk just like lA times

[steve]

Obama will make Bush look good after just two years if he is elected. Look at the bright side, we will get plenty of entertainment from him.

[Bill]

If you want to keep score on gaffes, McCain wins hands down. He wants to run the Iraq war and thinks Iraq borders Pakistan! You don't get much worse than that.

[Brooks]

Oh praise messiah Obama.

[skylark]

Are you serious?

It was Obama's bill. He sponsored it. Sort of obvious he meant to say "my bill," not "my committee."

Not such great research, Andrew.

And really, come on, look at the clip...you honestly don't think he meant to say "47 states"?

Are you that desperate for something to print?

[bosnie]

It wasn't even his legislation.

The Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability and Divestiture Act was sponsored by Christopher Dodd and Richard Shelby. Dodd being the chair of the Banking committee and Shelby being ranking member.

So for his staff to further make it a mess by saying he meant "my legislation" is not so good.

Also, on Capital Hill when you say "my committee" that does mean that you are the chair.