The LA Times Top of the Ticket blog reports that Obama stated at a campaign stop in Oregon yesterday that over the last 15 months he’s visited “57 states” (via Memeo):
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.
Here’s the video:
He made these gaffes almost one year to the day after he claimed “10,000″ had died from the Kansas tornadoes, when it was actually only 12.
John Hinderaker at Powerline points out that the media won’t even come close to treating their Golden Boy like they did Dan Quayle’s gaffes.
Or President Bush’s, for that matter.
Marc Ambinder correctly points out that if McCain had said any of this:
[…] the media would be all up in his grill, accusing him of a senior moment. Just saying….
Yup, but maybe just for laughs McCain should strike back at Obama’s accusation of him “losing his bearings” by referencing Obama’s flubs and suggesting that the inexperienced, rookie Senator from Illinois apparently isn’t getting in enough daily naps.
Tom Elia quips:
Personally, I don’t think it was a ‘tired mistake’ as much as this is just how Chicago Democrats are used to counting during elections and election campaigns…
Tigerhawk suggests:
Of course, there is another explanation beyond the steak sauce theory or the traditional lame excuse that he was “tired” (yeah, right, like Winston Churchill used that excuse) or that he’s “lost his bearings”: Barack Obama is an imperialist! His mistake was not in counting the states properly, but in failing to say that he wants to visit 57 states. And who doesn’t? Why didn’t he say that he wanted to bring back “manifest destiny” a little earlier in the campaign? That would have helped him with the Reagan Democrats. For sure.
Heh.
I’d love to see someone come up with a bumper sticker design related to this. I’d display it proudly 
He Who’s Middle Name Must Not Be Used may not be able to name the fifty States but he is the EMBODIMENT of the other seven deadly sins.(CAIR CAD)
State of Confusion
State of Abjuration
State of Insurrection
State of Repudiation
State of Chaos
State of Anarchy
State of Denial
Hope I spelled his middle name Wright.
Comment by forest hunter @ 5/10/2008 - 9:20 am
I think he finally revealed his secret plan to abandon Iraq and annex Canada!
Comment by Anthony (Los Angeles) @ 5/10/2008 - 10:27 am
More likely we will be annexed by Canada instead.
Comment by Mwalimu Daudi @ 5/10/2008 - 10:42 am
This comment is just damn funny.
I agree with you Anthony. I think he is going to attack Canada, perhaps too much Southpark the movie.
“blame Canada” - Lorica
Comment by Lorica @ 5/10/2008 - 10:47 am
Suitably Flip has the new 57-star flag lapel pin that you can now wear. Unless you think that’s just phony patriotism….
Comment by Great White Rat @ 5/10/2008 - 12:12 pm
Hah hah, great post and summary of reaction, thanks!
Comment by DaMav @ 5/10/2008 - 1:29 pm
Seriously, what do you think is going to come of his mouth, or Michelle’s, when they are speaking with world leaders? The thought of those 2 in in the White House is downright scary.
Comment by Heidi @ 5/10/2008 - 1:43 pm
McCain ought to fire back “So he’s saying I’ve lost my bearings now, is he? Sounds like that guy’s lost his marbles!”
Comment by Rorschach @ 5/10/2008 - 1:55 pm
Remember He Who’s Middle Name Must Not Be Used though he will be almost 60 in thirteen years, I don’t think a dog can live that long.
Comment by forest hunter @ 5/10/2008 - 9:01 pm
Dang it, I looked at all of my flags and patches and they all only have 50 stars! Where do I get an Obama flag?
Comment by Tom TB @ 5/10/2008 - 11:13 pm
Hillary is by far the BEST nominee. Let’s help her get it. She is the brightest and the most perservering and did not need to take a vacation in the middle of a major campaign. She did not buy the campaign like Oprah did for Obama. Where do you think he got ALLLLL that money. Oprah’s reach is far into every corner of America…Unfortunately. This whole process has been severely tainted, especially when she personally started campaigning for a 46 yr old inexperienced black man..And race is NOT an issue. Right?? I’m totally disgusted. And we all know that 92% or more of the blacks have regularly been voting for a black man. Why? Because he’s the best?? No The most experienced??? no. wHY?? wHAT DO YOU THINK. ?? gUESS.
Comment by Patty @ 5/10/2008 - 11:14 pm
Obama can’t take the pressure. Remember, this is the man who had to take a vacation during the middle of the campaign while the little woman candidate Hillary didn’t miss a day and went non-stop from one to another of the 50 (yes my dear BHO, there are only 50 right now)States.
Comment by Claire @ 5/10/2008 - 11:19 pm
Its not like this is an isolated case. Obama has had several instances where he voted one way on a bill, then said he pushed the wrong button. H’es had all his “misspoken phrases” like the San Fran incident.
Imagine this campaign ad:
Begins by listing several of Obama’s votes, followed by his claims of pushing the wrong button.
Fades to “the red button” in the White House.
Has Obama saying he can no easier denounce Wright than the black community, followed by his statement denouncing Wright.
Has him saying 10,000 died from the tornadoes, with a caption saying “it was 12″.
Has him saying he’s visited 57 states.
Has a quote from his book about using Cocaine and marjuana.
Ends with a a quote showing that drug use can cause brain damage.
Fades back to the “Red Button” in the oval office <voice overlay of Obama saying “I pushed the wrong button”.
Comment by Southerner @ 5/11/2008 - 12:29 am
Tom TB: Click on my link………my only critique of their flag is that there needs to be additional space to the left…………(trust me here folks I really hated to say that, as there is more than an abundant amount of space inherent with the left, however…) for next week, when he has groaned to sixty……. I really doubt whether we’ll have to wait the additional dog years in order for that to happen.
Comment by forest hunter @ 5/11/2008 - 2:37 am