Obama Gaffe: "10,000" Died In Kan. Tornado

Democratic Presidential Candidate Made Erroneous Remark During Fundraiser

(AP)  Barack Obama, caught up in the fervor of a campaign speech Tuesday, drastically overstated the Kansas tornadoes death toll, saying 10,000 had died.

The death toll was 11.

"In case you missed it, this week, there was a tragedy in Kansas. Ten thousand people died — an entire town destroyed," the Democratic presidential candidate said in a speech to 500 people packed into a sweltering Richmond art studio for a fundraiser.

Obama mentioned the disaster in Greensburg, Kan., in saying he had been told by the office of Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius that the state's National Guard had been depleted by its commitment to the Iraq War.

"Turns out that the National Guard in Kansas only had 40 percent of its equipment and they are having to slow down the recovery process in Kansas," Obama said, his shirt sleeves rolled up and his head glistening with sweat.

As the Illinois senator concluded his remarks a few minutes later, he appeared to realize his gaffe.

"There are going to be times when I get tired," he said. "There are going to be times when I get weary. There are going to be times when I make mistakes."

Obama spokesman Bill Burton said later that the senator meant to say "at least 10," instead of 10,000.

During his speech, Obama stirred the crowd as he often does by skewering President Bush over the unpopular war and noting that he opposed it from the outset.

"How could we have been involved in a war that never should have been authorized, that has already cost us half a trillion dollars," Obama said.

It was Obama's third visit to Virginia's capital in eight months. It came as national polls show him trailing rival Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., by double digits.

[fairandbal]

give me a break! It is no surprised that the MSM, CBS included, is so desparate to save the GOP in 2008, but is this the best you can do?! If the worst dirt you can truly come up with is a $400 hair cut or Obama getting a number wrong, Dems will cruise. But it's apparent that the petty attacks by CBS and the rest of the MSM will continue.

It's also fair to point out that Bush gives much worse gafes on a daily basis and have never been pointed out like this (i.e. with a headline). Be fair! It's clear you don't like Democrats.

[canaima]

"It's also fair to point out that Bush gives much worse gafes on a daily basis..."

Hey, fair is fair, fairandbal. Obama misstated, and this article calls him on it. Don't try to make this article into something that it isn't just to satisfy your own political predilections.

[canaima]

Hey, fair is fair, fairandbal. Obama mistated, and this article calls him on it. Don't try to make this article into something that it isn't just to satisfy your own political predilections. So give US a break.

[iceman_1960]

"In case you missed it, this week, there was a tragedy in Kansas. Ten thousand people died %u2014 an entire town destroyed" - Barack Obama

He was making an erudite historical reference to "Bleeding Kansas" in the pre Civil War era.

It's good to see well educated people seeking the Oval Office.

[perception5]

I don't recall any Headlines :
BUSH Gaffe: The Queen was here in 17 ....
I totally agree FairandBal
Posted by parrot2 at 10:23 AM : May 09, 2007

........parrot2, what are you talking about??? Our Presidents comments about the Queen and 1776 is all over the internet

Have a nice day

[iceman_1960]

"For a century and a half now, America and Japan have formed one of the great and enduring alliances of modern times." - G.W. Bush, Tokyo, Japan, Feb. 18, 2002

Source:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2002/02/20020218-2.html

[kansan4]

It's a sad thing when politicians use a disaster like the tornado in Greensburg to try to move ahead a political agenda that is totally unrelated. Governor Sebelius has since recanted her statement, she actually received everything she asked for. The people of this midwest farm community have responded with grace and dignity not seen in most of our leaders. Their neighbors have pitched in, and will continue to be there for the duration of the need. I hope our governor will be more supportive in the future.

[marcodele]

Fartknocker wrote:
"The only media that comes close to reporting neutral and they don't is FOX."

And if you're dumb enough to believe that, then I can probably convince you Iran has weapons of mass destruction and they are terrorists and linked to 9/11.

Yes, Fox News, Rush Limbaugh and Anne Coulter are the closest to nuetral media ho's out there.
And they love rooking in the neocon's money - it beats working for a living.

[hockeymanvt]

There is very little likelihood that the world will confuse the very occasional verbal mistakes of an orator like Obama with the sometimes adolescent ramblings of George.

[tuckerndfw]

At least Obama has the integrity to realize and admit mistakes:

"There are going to be times when I get tired," he (Obama) said. "There are going to be times when I get weary. There are going to be times when I make mistakes."

Despite all his lies and "mistakes," how many times has George Bush admitted he made a mistake? (none)

How about Hillary or most of the other candidates for president? They (generally) refuse to admit they made a mistake by giving the worst president in US history the authority to commit war crimes.

[oleander8]

Only 2 years of national service under his belt - you can expect a lot more of these.

[oleander8]

Only 2 years of national service under his belt - you can expect a lot more of these.

[bigsk8fan]

"It's a sad thing when politicians use a disaster like the tornado in Greensburg to try to move ahead a political agenda . . ."
Posted by Kansan4

Yes, I know. I was quite dismayed when Bush did it in New Orleans, too.

[bigsk8fan]

"It's a sad thing when politicians use a disaster like the tornado in Greensburg to try to move ahead a political agenda . . ."
Posted by Kansan4

Yes, I know. I was quite dismayed when Bush did it in New Orleans, too.

[iceman_1960]

"Ten thousand people died %u2014 an entire town destroyed," the Democratic presidential candidate said.

It's always better to overstate the number, rather than understate it, so that rescue operations will be undertaken in proper strength.

[toldyouso21]

Only 2 years of national service under his belt - you can expect a lot more of these.
Posted by oleander8 at 11:07 AM : May 09, 2007

hmmmm. You may have a point. After all, Bush had NO years of national service under his belt and look where we find ourselves--in the middle of the GOP elephants--and all the tails are continually raised and constantly cutting a load loose......lmao

[mudrose-2009]

Yes, I know. I was quite dismayed when Bush did it in New Orleans, too.
Posted by bigsk8fan

Hahahahah, You mean Ray Nagin, the man who wants to keep New Orleans "chocolate" isn't responsible for anything that happened down in New Orleans. I suppose not, welfare states, can't blame anybody but the Administration for not taking care of them. After all, if the man don't give them their feed, take care of their children and let them sleep half of the day away, what good is the man.

[mudrose-2009]

Yes, I know. I was quite dismayed when Bush did it in New Orleans, too.
Posted by bigsk8fan

Hahahahah, You mean Ray Nagin, the man who wants to keep New Orleans "chocolate" isn't responsible for anything that happened down in New Orleans. I suppose not, welfare states, can't blame anybody but the Administration for not taking care of them. After all, if the man don't give them their feed, take care of their children and let them sleep half of the day away, what good is the man.

[iceman_1960]

"Hahahahah, You mean Ray Nagin, the man who wants to keep New Orleans "chocolate" isn't responsible for anything that happened down in New Orleans."
- Posted by mudrose at 11:15 AM : May 09, 2007

No doubt about it: Nagin and Bush should both have resigned, or been removed by impeachment, after that catastrophe.

Bush admitted that State and Federal governments were both responsible for an incoompetent response that led to thousands of deaths.

[oleander8]

"Bush had NO years of national service under his belt and look where we find ourselves..."
[Posted by toldyouso21]

Couldn't have said it better myself. Experience counts for something. Obama isn't ready.

[iceman_1960]

"incoompetent"

i.e. incompetent.

Also I meant "Federal, State and Local" governments.

Nagin is mayor.

Nagin, Blanco and Bush should all have been removed from office after that Katrina nonresponse.

[antoniof123]

I don't care what the GOP says right now I have had enough of them for a while. So I think I would even vote for a dead monkey before a GOP.

[fairandbal]

I just get really really sick of those who still for some odd grasp on fantasy think that Fox News is Neutral.

[mudrose-2009]

Bush admitted that State and Federal governments were both responsible for an incoompetent response that led to thousands of deaths.

Posted by Iceman_1960

A bigger crock as usual. The awards for Katrina go to Governor Blanco who just wouldn't give the Feds the go ahead when Bush asked her if she needed help. She delayed assistance because she and Nagin were having a pissing contest. Nagin decides to take his family out of state. Empty buses just sat there for days. Amtrak offered trains to get the people out, but Nagin didn't act on it. Instead he told the people go to the stadium and sit there without water, sanitation, food or anything else. Then Fema gets blamed. When the towers went down in New York - City - Guiliani, State - Pataki were right on it. 72 hours later Fema was on board. There is such a thing as state rights and the Feds have to be invited they cannot simply walk in. But Bush also created Katring. He sneezed and poof, down when the levees.

[fairandbal]

My point about this being a total hit piece by MSM is that it's a HEADLINE. Added emphasis. Bush or someone from the GOP makes a gaffe and the ONLY way it gets distributed is if some average joe was there who got it on tape and puts it on youTube OR it's burried deep in a story with a few lines.
This is a clear attempt by the MSM to dilute the message.

[mudrose-2009]

Bush admitted that State and Federal governments were both responsible for an incoompetent response that led to thousands of deaths.

Posted by Iceman_1960

A bigger crock as usual. The awards for Katrina go to Governor Blanco who just wouldn't give the Feds the go ahead when Bush asked her if she needed help. She delayed assistance because she and Nagin were having a pissing contest. Nagin decides to take his family out of state. Empty buses just sat there for days. Amtrak offered trains to get the people out, but Nagin didn't act on it. Instead he told the people go to the stadium and sit there without water, sanitation, food or anything else. Then Fema gets blamed. When the towers went down in New York - City - Guiliani, State - Pataki were right on it. 72 hours later Fema was on board. There is such a thing as state rights and the Feds have to be invited they cannot simply walk in. But Bush also created Katring. He sneezed and poof, down when the levees.

[thejameso]

this guys sucks

BUSH - 4 MORE YEARS!

[fairandbal]

My point about this being a total hit piece by MSM is that it's a HEADLINE. Added emphasis. Bush or someone from the GOP makes a gaffe and the ONLY way it gets distributed is if some average joe was there who got it on tape and puts it on youTube OR it's burried deep in a story with a few lines.
This is a clear attempt by the MSM to dilute the message.

[mudrose-2009]

Bush admitted that State and Federal governments were both responsible for an incoompetent response that led to thousands of deaths.

Posted by Iceman_1960

A bigger crock as usual. The awards for Katrina go to Governor Blanco who just wouldn't give the Feds the go ahead when Bush asked her if she needed help. She delayed assistance because she and Nagin were having a pissing contest. Nagin decides to take his family out of state. Empty buses just sat there for days. Amtrak offered trains to get the people out, but Nagin didn't act on it. Instead he told the people go to the stadium and sit there without water, sanitation, food or anything else. Then Fema gets blamed. When the towers went down in New York - City - Guiliani, State - Pataki were right on it. 72 hours later Fema was on board. There is such a thing as state rights and the Feds have to be invited they cannot simply walk in. But Bush also created Katring. He sneezed and poof, down when the levees.

[processor2]

Typical liberal

Makes up sh*t, and calls them facts.

And the thing is, liberal sheeple will actually believe this ***

...

[marshhendrix]

Hmm, you're RIGHT! Why didn't I see that simple mistakes are far worse than intentional lies, like saying that Saddam is hoarding Weapons of Mass Destruction, which has cost THOUSANDS of American lives, tens of thousands of Iraqi lives and BILLIONS of dollars. Boy, maybe I'll be a conservative like you! Maybe not...probably overqualified.

[homespunlady]

This year is extremely storm active. I WOULDN'T BE SURPRISED IF THIS IS ONLY THE BEGINNING.

Whether it's global warming, sunspots, the sun heating up or God's retribution doesn't matter as far as readiness and by all appearances the real question IS where we stand on READINESS.

I do know there are some REAL stateside concerns due to YEARS of infrastructure NEGLECT and now a lack of heavy equipment for our traditional EMERGENCY MILITIA -the NATIONAL GUARD. When GEORGE changed their mission to INTERNATIONAL POLICE we gave up that layer of PROTECTION and NO amount of EXCUSES changes the facts.
If he wanted INTERNATIONAL WAR our REGULAR SERVICES should have been INCREASED TO MEET THE NEED not our reserves EMPTIED out!!!!
The military DOWNSIZED a couple decades ago NOTHING BUT strategic idiocy STOPPED GEORGE and his 12 YEAR REPUBLICAN CONGRESS from SUPER SIZING the military without depleting our NATIONAL SAFETY RESERVE.
Pointing fingers doesn't solve the problem but neither does STICKING THE NATION'S HEAD IN THE SAND.
Scientific consensus IS that with a global temperature rise - no matter WHAT the reason is there WILL BE MORE VIOLENT STORMS.
The "looking out for number one" greed and corruption party is OVER.
This nation needs to start thinking about the good of all it's citizens again or it will surely fall by it's own hands - not some ever changing and undefined enemy.

[one_american]

Further proof that Obama, while he may be "articulate and clean" and "popular" with the left, he is in fact INCOMPETENT and unfit for the job.

But that won't stop the moonbat liberals from voting for him.

[tbweb]

I've been posting all along when I saw how sloppy Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., was in handling his high school best friend Keith Kakugawa, (Ray in his book) and then the MySpace debacle with Joe Anthony, that Obama is not ready for Prime Time yet! Sen. Barack Obama needs more polish, something only more time in Politics will give him and he is still too new to dirty Politics as well. Obama needs everything to be perfect for him to shine and Politics is full of potholes, surprises and bumps in the road! Obama's latest Gaffe proves me right and the world is too dangerous and complex right now for a Political rookie. Sen. Barack Obama will be ready in the 2016 Presidential cycle and should use this time in the race for practice, knowledge and experience so he can be better prepared for the future. For those who think I'm against Obama I'm not, I just think the Senator jumped out there too soon and is too new for the challenges facing our nation.

[shingles1]

"Further proof that Obama, while he may be "articulate and clean" and "popular" with the left, he is in fact INCOMPETENT and unfit for the job.
Posted by One_American"

If making verbal goofs is a sign that someone is incompetent and unfit for the job of President...then let me point you towards Exhibit #1, President Bush, a man who can't get through a sentence without mangling the English language.

Or does George Bush REALLY want to pour food on your family?!

And then there's processor2:

"Makes up sh*t, and calls them facts."

pot, meet kettle.

[iceman_1960]

"Bush admitted that State and Federal governments were both responsible for an incompetent response that led to thousands of deaths."

Posted by Iceman_1960

"A bigger crock as usual. The awards for Katrina go to Governor Blanco who just wouldn't give the Feds the go ahead when Bush asked her if she needed help."
- Posted by mudrose at 11:46 AM : May 09, 2007

Why would Bush lie about it, if the lie made him look bad, when in fact (according to you, as usual) Bush was blameless ?

Bush admits Katrina failures

9/13/2005

WASHINGTON (AP) %u2014 President Bush for the first time took responsibility Tuesday for federal government mistakes in dealing with Hurricane Katrina and suggested the calamity raised broader questions about the government's ability to handle both natural disasters and terror attacks.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2005-09-13-bush-katrina_x.htm

[iceman_1960]

George W. Bush, Blanco and Nagin should ALL have resigned after Katrina.

All three.

From the posted link:

"Katrina exposed serious problems in our response capability AT ALL LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT," Bush said at a joint White House news conference with Iraqi President Jalal Talabani.

"And to the extent that the federal government didn't fully do its job right, I take responsibility. I want to know what went right and what went wrong," said Bush.

Facing sharp criticism and the lowest approval ratings of his presidency, Bush scheduled a speech to the nation from Louisiana for Thursday evening. It will be his fourth trip to the devastated Gulf Coast since the storm struck two weeks ago.

[iceman_1960]

"Further proof that Obama, while he may be "articulate and clean" and "popular" with the left, he is in fact INCOMPETENT and unfit for the job. But that won't stop the moonbat liberals from voting for him."
- Posted by One_American at 01:00 PM : May 09, 2007

Don't you just love it when a BUSH SUPPORTER, of all people, complains about a Democrat's very occasional verbal gaffe ?

Don't you just love that hypocrisy ?

Bush makes so many damaging misstatements, that it would save time if the press reported instead on the occasions when he says something correctly.

[iceman_1960]

George W. Bush: "INCOMPETENT and unfit for the job." Iinarticulate and not all that clean either. But with a few moonbat supporters lingering on the fringes in America.

"Because the - all which is on the table begins to address the big cost drivers. For example, how benefits are calculate, for example, is on the table; whether or not benefits rise based upon wage increases or price increases. There's a series of parts of the formula that are being considered. And when you couple that, those different cost drivers, affecting those - changing those with personal accounts, the idea is to get what has been promised more likely to be - or closer delivered to what has been promised. Does that make any sense to you? It's kind of muddled. Look, there's a series of things that cause the - like, for example, benefits are calculated based upon the increase of wages, as opposed to the increase of prices. Some have suggested that we calculate - the benefits will rise based upon inflation, as opposed to wage increases. There is a reform that would help solve the red if that were put into effect. In other words, how fast benefits grow, how fast the promised benefits grow, if those - if that growth is affected, it will help on the red." - George W. Bush, explaining his plan to save Social Security, Tampa, Fla., Feb. 4, 2005

[huskerarmy]

"Further proof that Obama...is in fact INCOMPETENT and unfit for the job. But that won't stop the moonbat liberals from voting for him."
- Posted by One_American

What you really meant to say is that for you to vote for a black man, he must be perfect. Otherwise, you will continue to vote for silver spoon frat boys with the intelligence of a disfunctional gnat!

[huskerarmy]

"Further proof that Obama...is in fact INCOMPETENT and unfit for the job. But that won't stop the moonbat liberals from voting for him."
- Posted by One_American

What you really meant to say is that for you to vote for a black man, he must be perfect. Otherwise, you will continue to vote for silver spoon frat boys with the intelligence of a disfunctional gnat!

iceman,

the guy makes an error (once and nobody is murdered for it, by the way) and he's completely incompetent? You must have bush's logic.

completely incompetent is a ridiculous charge....

[juliemd]

processor2 time to grow up and stop using gross, immature generalizations which expose your complete lack of depth and intelligence.

[hungry1968]

amerigirl28:

You need to read more than a few words of a post before you criticize the poster.

[lard008]

"But that won't stop the moonbat liberals from voting for him.
Posted by One_American at 01:00 PM : May 09, 2007
+ report abuse"

Yep, that's right, One_American. We've had six years of your incompetent. Time for the other side to get theirs in for a while.

Let's face it; the last guy competent for the job was probably Eisenhower, and I have my doubts about him.

That being said, Corky from "Life Goes On" would make a better president than Bush. At least he doesn't try to hide the fact that he's retarded.

[jimibear]

"This nation needs to start thinking about the good of all it's citizens again or it will surely fall by it's own hands - not some ever changing and undefined enemy.

Posted by homespunlady at 12:38 PM : May 09, 2007
+ report abuse"

Homespunlady, your entire post, including the peroration, was right on the money. When I consider the way the Bush Administration has mis-run this country, where and how they have deployed and depleted our resources, their ignoring of crisis after crisis on the home front, and how their incompetent wastefulness have destabilized our economy, I wonder if in fact they are in the pay of Al Qaeda.

Simple stupidity and incompetence seems inadequate to have done this much damage. When you are surrounded by experts and advisors, it takes malice to do your job this badly.

[jimibear]

"Typical liberal

Makes up sh*t, and calls them facts.

And the thing is, liberal sheeple will actually believe this ***

...
Posted by processor2 at 12:18 PM : May 09, 2007
+ report abuse"

Actually, no ... corrected his error later in the speech, as the story said. And NeoCons, not their opponents, are the "sheeple" who will believe anything. One of the tenets of actual liberalism is independence of thought.

Like NeoCons and other idiots everywhere, on the other hand, you just go for headlines and soundbites, and usually get even those wrong. You never bother to actually learn or consider the facts. Presumably that's because your prejudices couldn't stand up to reality, and then you might have to actually think. Perish the thought.

It must be tough to go through life stupid, small-minded, bigoted and wrong. I feel for you.

[shingles1]

Corky would be a HUGE improvement over Bush.

[huskerarmy]

"And the thing is, liberal sheeple will actually believe this ***"...
Posted by processor2

Before you call anyone "sheeple," figure out who pulls the strings, i.e.-the corporate plutocracy, and who dances on the other end, i.e.-the tools in the GOP.

[iceman_1960]

"iceman,

the guy makes an error (once and nobody is murdered for it, by the way) and he's completely incompetent? You must have bush's logic.

completely incompetent is a ridiculous charge...."
- Posted by amerigirl28 at 02:53 PM : May 09, 2007

I DID NOT SAY OBAMA IS INCOMPETENT.

I was quoting One_American. I think Bush is incompetent, not Obama.

Try to read with comprehension before you comment, ok ?