10 Hilariously Embarrassing Moments in Political History5

By Chris Littler, Nov 02, 2010 in Grass Roots, Pop Culture

10 Hilariously Embarrassing Moments in Political History

If you were to catch up to the two political hacks, Miles and Harry, from the series Grass Roots and ask them if politics was anything more than a giant board game being played in a global arena, they’d probably agree with you, because even those with little to no political prowess realize that politics is not that different from board games like Monopoly or Life – where losing your shirt is just a blow to your ego. Despite its nuanced nature, politics has a strict set of rules, just like any game does, and can be played in as many ways as there are players. And, most importantly, like all games, the integrity of its players is constantly on the line. Every move is closely watched, analyzed, and, ultimately, judged.

Whether caught on paper, photograph or television, political blunders have a history of finding their way into the hands of the people – often devastating careers. Here are 10 examples of political “oops” around the world.

Grass Roots, Coffees Not Dessert – Episode 1

1. Dan Quayle Misspells Potato

Former Indiana Senator Dan Quayle managed to get through most of his term as Vice President without committing any gaffes, but boy, when it rains in Trenton, New Jersey, it really pours. At a visit to the Munoz Rivera School in 1992, Quayle was put in charge of judging the school spelling bee. Everything was going just photo-opportunity-tastic until little Willy Figueroa, age 12, went up to the board, wrote potato, and was shamed by the vice president into adding an unnecessary “e” at the end. The class applauded, but the reporters who witnessed the event couldn’t help but call Quail out on his egregious over-spelling at the press conference afterward. Overnight, Quayle went from respected politician to political punchline.

2. Dick Cheney Shoots a Man in the Face

Imagine for a moment how terribly thrilling it’d be if former Vice President Dick Cheney had shot a man in cold blood, just like Aaron Burr did back in the summer of 1804. Unfortunately for us, the reason Dick Cheney peppered a man with birdshot back in February 2006 isn’t because he was trying to bring “badass” back to the White House, but because he wasn’t paying attention, which makes him just a piss poor aim.

3. Bill Clinton has a Dream

Campaigning is hard work. It requires you to constantly be moving, shaking hands and kissing babies. For Former President Bill Clinton, it means supporting your party and making your wife look good. Unfortunately, on January 18, 2010, campaign life got the better of him when he fell asleep during a sermon celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr. To make matters worse, he was seated behind the pulpit. If that wasn’t bad enough, it was caught on TV.

4. George W. Bush Has No Exit Strategy

Sometimes a politician does something that’s not particularly embarrassing on its own, but when taken into the context of his or her tenure, it becomes so perfectly fitting, that it’s downright poetic in its shamefulness. While visiting Bejiing in November 2005, George W. Bush embarrassed himself by going for the wrong door after a poor showing at a press conference, only to find his exit locked. What made the scene that much more embarrassing was the moment when the President stood at attention while thinking of a funny line before his real exit.

5. Al Franken Shakes His Groove Thang on Solid Gold

Al Franken has been many things. He’s been a writer and performer for the hit TV show, Saturday Night Live. He hosted a nationally syndicated talk show on Air America Radio. In 2008, he won the Minnesota Senate seat by a hair. But few people know that he also co-founded the Franken & Davis School of Rock Star Impersonators in the 80’s. Confused? I was too when I saw Al strut his goodies in a pair of tight pants on the hit 80’s music series, Solid Gold, dressed like Mick Jagger.

6. George H. Bush Pukes on the Japanese Prime Minister

We don’t portend to know a whole lot about Japanese customs, but we can only assume that puking in the lap of the Japanese Prime Minister is not considered a compliment to the chef. Seems like someone forgot to highlight that little factoid in the Presidential Fodor’s Guidebook. While at a state dinner culminating the president’s 12-day trade-oriented trip through Asia in 1992, Bush Sr. doubled over and spewed noodle dish all over Kiichi Miyazawa. The incident prompted his wife and a dozen aides to run to his aid. Afterwards, the Japanese incorporated the term “Bushu-suru” in their everyday slang, which literally means “to do the Bush thing” – aka to puke.

7. Barack Obama Establishes Eight More States in the Union.

President Barack Obama is known for his professorial demeanor and his complex rhetoric. But during a campaign, while sleeping only a couple of hours a day and visiting a number of different locations, you can not only use your trademark polish but also lose touch with reality. At an event in Oregon, Obama wanted to impress the crowd with the number of states he had visited so far – claiming he had clocked in at 57 states with one left to go. Still, he was elected President. So for those of you who failed American Government in the first grade, don’t give up your dream of being president!

8. Ted Kennedy Speaks Directly to the Women of this Country

The Kennedy’s have been in politics for the greater part of a century. And during that century, there have been a number of sexually-themed faux pas’, rumors and indecencies. For this reason, Ted Kennedy’s Freudian slip on the Senate floor was made that much more funny and embarrassing when he said, “Our national interest ought to be to encourage the breast and the brightest.”

9. Joe Biden Tells Chuck Graham to Stand Up

Vice Presidents are the comic relief of the executive branch of government. They’re like the goofy neighbor that says all the wrong things but gets the laugh. They’re the crazy sitcom aunt that steals the scene and doesn’t have to stick around for the tough family moments. Just when the President is knee deep in serious issues like war and economic meltdown, the VP says something stupid and makes the President look good, prompting the public to say, “Phew, at least he’s not president.” Vice President Joe Biden has always been known for his public political blunders, but when he told State Senator Chuck Graham to stand up in a crowded room, we cringed – because Chuck was in a wheel chair.

10. Sarah Palin Explains the Simplicity of Foreign Policy

Let’s face it, we love Sarah Palin. Whether Democrat or Republican, we find her endearing, beautiful, and mesmerizing. She’s constantly surprising us with the simplicity of her statements and well as her “common sense” approach to politics and world issues. Although she was torn apart by the press during the 2008 election, it was that campaign that launched her into political stardom, making her one of the most talked about politicians in the last two years. Considering she hasn’t been a politician or run in a campaign since then, that’s extraordinary! Everyone has their favorite Palin moment, but most will agree that her interview with Katie Couric in 2008, specifically the one about Russia and foreign policy, was one of the more damaging, let alone embarrassing.

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Watch more episodes of the political satire Grass Roots

Chris Littler lives in Hollywood. He has a degree in Dramatic Writing from the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University, one of the most prestigious writing programs in America, which he totally plans to hang on the wall when he has a Study. Chris currently covers video games at UGO.com when he’s not performing improv at iO, and is currently writing a one-hour TV pilot with his friend Wes. Like everyone else you know, he has an album available to purchase on iTunes and has lots of things to say on his blog: chrislittler[dot]com.