The 12 Most Amusing Moments of Politicians in Online Video2

By B.Z., Dec 08, 2009 in Grass Roots, Pop Culture

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The 12 Most Amusing Moments of Politicians in Online Video

Politicians aren’t always boring, though it’s not for a lack of trying. Often, the most entertaining moments in politics come when candidates give us a glimpse into their true character via a slip of the tongue. Sure, it’d be hard to always appear poised and professional, particularly with mobile phones, YouTube, and Twitter empowering our nosey citizenry. But that excuse can only get you so far. Below we’ve compiled, for your viewing pleasure, some of the most amusing moments politicians have accidentally shared with millions. As with the political hacks featured in our series “Grass Roots”, this compilation clearly shows that politics is more than just a few absurd ideals and bad hair-dos. It can also be damn amusing.

Note: There are in fact numerous absurd ideals and bad hair-dos in “Grass Roots.” Really bad hair-dos.

1. George W. Bush’s OB/GYN Love

For eight years, comedians and late-night talk-show hosts had a lot to work with thanks to President George W. Bush. One gaffe, however, was memorable enough to earn top billing on this list. While in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, Bush was discussing malpractice lawsuit reforms, and everything seemed to be going well. He had a cheering crowd and a rousing “man-of-the-people” speech. But all positive momentum came to a screeching halt when he tried to express his concern about OB/GYN doctors. OB/GYN’s practicing “their love” with women. Jeez, George!

2. Rev. Jesse Jackson on Obama

Rev. Jesse Jackson learned the hard way that the press is always listening, especially when you have a mic attached to your shirt. While doing an interview with Fox News, Jackson thought he was safe to speak his mind before filming commenced. Unfortunately for him, an open microphone picked up his whispered remarks about wanting “to cut [Obama's] nuts off.” Those remarks were then subtitled and splashed across television and the Internet. Nice one, Jesse.

3. Bill Clinton Needs a Nap

Former President Clinton is a busy man, and busy men need their sleep. When the Harlem Convent Avenue Baptist Church hosted a Martin Luther King, Jr. event with him as their esteemed guest, he was hard pressed to keep his eyes open. Soon after the services began, Clinton fell asleep in front of the entire congregation, ensuring that he would be filmed through the entirety of his nap. To fall asleep is one thing. To fall asleep at a function honoring the greatest civil rights leader of our time is another.

4. George W. Bush’s Interpretation of an ‘Old Texas’ Saying

While speaking in Nashville, Tennessee, George W. Bush tried to recall an old saying regarding fools. He was speaking about the rather simple phrase, “Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.” Well, it’s rather simple for most people. But Bush is not most people. Half way through reciting it, he realized he didn’t remember the idiom in question. Never one to admit defeat, he went on to make up the rest, figuring no one would notice. Unfortunately, everyone did.

5. Howard Dean’s Weird Scream

What’s the recipe to derail a political campaign? Howard Dean had just come in third in the Iowa Caucus during the 2004 presidential campaign, and he wanted to cheer up his volunteers at a post-caucus rally. But his attempt at genuine excitement backfired. Howard’s red-faced rant turned off many potential voters. The media picked up on it, and it became news and cable TV fodder for days. Even though CNN later apologized for “overplaying” the incident, the “Dean Scream” has still not left the minds of the American voting population.

6. Sarah Palin Reads “All of ‘Em,” or Nothing Much

Republican Vice-Presidential candidate Sarah Palin was on a media blitz after she was named as John McCain’s running mate. When she sat down with CBS’s Katie Couric for a long interview, Palin gave viewers (and Tina Fey) a long list of quotes for future criticism. One particularly amusing moment came when Couric was asking Palin about where she read her news.

7. George Allen and “Macaca”

In 2006, Republican Senator George Allen was running for re-election. His campaign quickly derailed after he repeatedly referred to a volunteer of Indian descent as “Macaca, or whatever his name is.” The volunteer, S.R. Sidarth, was born and raised in Virginia, although Allen felt the need to “welcome him to America and the real world of Virginia.” Sidarth was the only non-white amongst the crowd of supporters and felt the interaction was demeaning. A video of the incident surfaced online, and Allen lost his re-election bid by just a few thousand votes… or whatever it was.

8. John McCain Sings the Beach Boys

In what McCain referred to as a joke amongst veterans, he re-imagined the Beach Boys song “Barbara Ann” as “Bomb Iran.” The audience of vets didn’t take offense, but voters at home did. When the video of the incident was picked up by the media and replayed again and again, it helped Democrats cast McCain as a warmonger.

9. Sarah Palin on Foreign Policy

OK, one more Couric/Palin moment. When Katie Couric asked Sarah Palin how her claim that Alaska’s proximity to Russia and Canada enhanced her foreign policy credentials, Palin began a losing battle. While admitting that she had no diplomatic interactions with these countries, she explained “they are right there, right next to our state.” Come on, Sarah. Really?

10. Joe Biden and his 7-11 Experience

Vice President Joe Biden is well known for his loose lips. During one of the presidential primary debates, moderator Brian Williams made a point of asking Biden whether his tendency to speak his mind would hinder his campaign. The answer? Yes. Biden’s most damaging gaffe was also his most racially charged. It came when Biden tried to relate to an Indian-American voter by discussing how “you can’t go to a 7-11 or Dunkin Donuts without hearing a slight Indian accent.” Yikes.

11. Ted Kennedy: Osama/Obama?

It is unfortunate that Barack Obama’s last name rhymes with the world’s most famous terrorist. Extreme Obama opponents have often mocked the similarity of the two names. However, when political supporters of Obama mix up the two names, it’s a bit more awkward. Ted Kennedy, an early supporter and one of the most influential Democrats in Washington at the time, did just that during a televised press conference early in the campaign. It took him three attempts to get Obama’s name right. Needless to say, Fox News had a field day with the footage.

12. Obama and the Extra 7 States

Campaigning takes its toll on candidates. Endless traveling, speeches, meetings, and interviews run them ragged. While in Beaverton, Oregon, Barack Obama claimed to have visited 57 states…with more to go! Either Obama is not as smart as a fifth grader, or exhaustion got the best of him. However, conspiracy theorists like to claim that since there are 57 Islamic states, Obama was really letting slip his true Muslim nature. Common sense seems to side with exhaustion, but you be the judge.

In the mood for some truly ridiculous “politics”? Then check out “Grass Roots”.