Mitt Romney in a speech stated;
“Actually, just look at what Osam - Barack Obama - said just yesterday. Barack Obama, calling on radicals, jihadists of all different types, to come together in Iraq. That is the battlefield. … It’s almost as if the Democratic contenders for president are living in fantasyland. Their idea for jihad is to retreat, and their idea for the economy is to also retreat. And in my view, both efforts are wrongheaded.”
Romney was apparently referring to an audio take supposedly recorded by Osama Bin Laden released the day before. I understand that mistakes happen but this seems a little fishy to me. It was during a time when he was criticizing the dems for their foreign relations and economic stances. It just seems to me that this time it is more than a simple mistake. I would go so far as to say I believe it was a well thought out “mix-up”.
The conservative right, who are not all that great thinking on their own, are easily led astray by clever word games. Even if they understand that Obama is in no way affiliated with Osama they will still see that there is a lot alike in the two names so he must at least be soft on terrorism if not involved himself.
The deceptive word play is a tactic that the Right adheres to almost religiously so we shouldn’t be surprised by this. Apparently Obama’s camp weren’t surprised either. Spokesman Bill Burten had this to say;
“Apparently, Mitt Romney can switch names just as casually as he switches positions, but what’s wrongheaded is continuing a misguided war in Iraq that has left America less safe.”




2007-10-24 12:27:44
I don’t blame Mitt for the name mixup. Senator Ted Kennedy mixes up Senator Obama’s name all the time. See Senator Kennedy’s January 2005 speech. http://www.washingtonpost.com/.....ge=printer It is easy to do. Plus it is funny. Interestly enough, Rush yesterday, released a private translation of Osama Bin Laden’s latest release. Osama condemned Senator Reid for making phony soldier letter blunder.
2007-10-24 12:40:39
Sean, I could be wrong but the ONE time you mentioned is the only time I could find where Kennedy mixed up Obama’s name. I wouldn’t call that all the time. Do you have any more recent examples than 2005?
Also, it’s not funny. It’s intentional and it’s intended to slander Obama and equate him with terrorism. These same underhanded tactics are used every election cycle by bullies who can’t stand on their merits. I’m sure you have seen this but its relevant to this issue. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ouKJixL–ms
2007-10-24 14:29:44
CNN has made the gaff, too. See this story ——–http://www.rawstory.com/news/2006/CNN_comments_on_Obama_gaffe_in_0101.html Senator Kennedy only said it on one occasion; I was exagerrating for effect. Although I expect the senator to get confused in the near future. He might do it again. Maybe Senator Kennedy is practicing in front of a mirror - senator obama , senator obama -. And Osama Bin Laden, praise Allah, has to be upset with this mixup too. I expect a call from his office or cave anytime, to CNN or Senator Kennedy’s office, to get an apology.
2007-10-26 15:15:32
Sorry this took so long to respond, our work load is crazy. CNN apologized for the mistake and as you said Kennedy made the mistake once and also apologized. I’m not holding my breath for an apology from Mitt.