McCain makes 2nd Czechoslovakia error

Posted: Tuesday, July 15, 2008 1:17 PM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: 2008, McCain

From NBC's Kelly O'Donnell
For the second time in two days, McCain has made a reference to "Czechoslovakia." His answers were about contemporary events, not history. McCain did not use the current name Czech Republic, the country formed in January 1993 when Czechoslovakia split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

The first instance was yesterday during a media news availability and the second today during a town hall meeting.

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Comments

He's a dunce. And memory lapses are becoming common within his campaign and with his surrogates.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2nNSMZKv_A

ya know (Sent Tuesday, July 15, 2008 1:20 PM)

Jeez another big surprise from the dumbest man ever to run for president, just put him out of his misery and send him to pakistan, he such a war man he should fit in well over there.

Brenda (Sent Tuesday, July 15, 2008 1:21 PM)

Next he's going to be talking about the best way for us to deal with Persia and Babylon.

Linda. Boston, MA (Sent Tuesday, July 15, 2008 1:23 PM)

He must of once had a girlfriend there or else he is losing his......

jim GR (Sent Tuesday, July 15, 2008 1:23 PM)

Just reinforces the (valid) point that McCain's world view is also 20 years behind the times.

Day late and a dollar short (Sent Tuesday, July 15, 2008 1:24 PM)

Awwwwww.

John McCain is forgetting so much, that even his buddies in the media have to report it.

Hang in there Big Mac - the media is gonna prop you up as long as humanly possible - don't worry.

Nashville_fan (Sent Tuesday, July 15, 2008 1:25 PM)

News Report: Global warming causes kidney stones. That's why all you liberals are having trouble peeing today.

Dr. Phil (Sent Tuesday, July 15, 2008 1:26 PM)

McCain constantly makes goofs like this and displays a basic lack of knowledge and understanding regarding basic issues like the differences between Shiites and Sunnis and who in Iraq is aligned with Iran, yet for some reason the Andrea Mitchells and David Gregorys of the world continue to portray him as some sort of foreign policy guru who cannot be questioned. Absolutely ridiculous.

jbentley,Chicago,IL (Sent Tuesday, July 15, 2008 1:26 PM)

Nice job Kelly! We'll get you moved to a big person desk in no time at all with reporting like this.

City Desk (Sent Tuesday, July 15, 2008 1:27 PM)

Geography 101. This country does not exist. He's been told twice. Another "Senor Moment" I'm guessing.

Another free pass by the press.

How long are these misstaemets of fact going to be tolerated by the mainstream media by a man who is running for president on his national security creditials?

There have way to many incidents like this.

Ira, Freehold, NJ (Sent Tuesday, July 15, 2008 1:28 PM)

What?!! Was Lieberman in the can again!!?? Where is he when McCain needs him!!??

I guess you would need to "Channel Hillary" when your own mental facilities do not quite work for you anymore...Still stupid though...Why not channel someone who understands that the world has changed since Vietnam!

GA GUY (Sent Tuesday, July 15, 2008 1:28 PM)

Senior moment!

Que, Crested Butte (Sent Tuesday, July 15, 2008 1:29 PM)

And he expects us to believe he can win the 3 wars he wants to start or perpetuate when he can't even get this right.

How many "senior moments" is this now? Is anyone keep track?

James, Wichita, KS (Sent Tuesday, July 15, 2008 1:29 PM)

McThuselah missed his nap again. I can't wait till he announces his plan to visit the Weimar Republic and the USSR.

Man-sized Sage, Corpus Christi, Texas (Sent Tuesday, July 15, 2008 1:29 PM)

Again it raises questions about his age. Elderly people with diminished faculties often remember things quite well from the past, but don't have as good a recall of things from the more recent to present.

Someone ask the senator a question about Burma, just to check.

Paul Miller, Woodbridge, VA (Sent Tuesday, July 15, 2008 1:29 PM)

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.....Unbelieveable!!!!!!!

And there are Dem's that do not want to vote for OBAMA! PLEASE!!! You are all killing me!

It seems to me that the digs on Obama on these blogs are PUMA's and REPUBS......GO AWAY AND START WORRYING ABOUT YOUR CANDIDATE!!!!

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Matthew, Bloomfield Hills MICHIGAN (Sent Tuesday, July 15, 2008 1:29 PM)

He's confused!!! He still thinks it's 1993, actually he probably thinks its like 1963. He needs to take a nap!

Jim Black (Sent Tuesday, July 15, 2008 1:30 PM)

When are we going to take a real look at these mistakes??? Sunni/Shia, Steelers/Packers, world geography, psychological/real, THis is starting to look like Reagan's "simple" mistakes before his horrible diagnosis. Is this medical, stupidity, ignorance, or a disconnect? Any way you explain it is not good

KNOWLEDGE IS THE WAY (Sent Tuesday, July 15, 2008 1:31 PM)

Maybe he hasn't been to Prague yet. It's beautiful there.

For history buffs - remember reading about the German, Reinhard Heydrich, the guy who came up with the Final Solution? The guy who was shot in his open air car in 1942 as he was driving to work in Czechoslovakia? - I went by that church where the assassins hid out. Every single day there is a bouquet of flowers in front of that church in honor of the assassins. Left there from just plain every day citizens. It moved me to tears because I wasn't expecting to see the flowers.
____________________________
I'll take the American League.

Pat, Boston, MA (Sent Tuesday, July 15, 2008 1:31 PM)

I guess his handlers weren't on the ball.

DV, CA (Sent Tuesday, July 15, 2008 1:32 PM)

Obama had a lot of fun with this gaffe. When asked to point out Slovakia on a map though, he mistakenly pointed to Kansas.

I'm Barack Obama, and this message confuses the heck out of me.

Hott Times (Sent Tuesday, July 15, 2008 1:32 PM)

Wow, you guys are cueing from Rachel Maddow? I mean, I agree with the fact that you are reporting a McCain gaffe; but I'm just so shocked.

15 years ago. Less than halfway through his Congressional career - and it had so little impact on him that he 'forgets' frequently.

Clara Kansas City, MO (Sent Tuesday, July 15, 2008 1:32 PM)

Hmmmm, I ask myself if anyone out there is concerned that if McCain were elected her would need a VP that would actually be running things behind the scenes. OMG, that's a what is happening today!!!

This highlights why although is service to our country is admirable and his public service a cause for pride his being elected represents a HUGE risk during these trying times.

His incredible departure from the John McCain of 2000 is reason for serious debate and his inability to use the Internet, needing help with Economics and faux pas in current events is not trifle.

I guess the fact that he hasn't mentioned the threat of the Soviet Union, Ottoman Empire or the troubles in East Germany are signs that things aren't all bad and that there is hope.

J. Ed, New Mexico (Sent Tuesday, July 15, 2008 1:32 PM)

This has gotten to the point where it is a real story. It is just sort-of-understndable misspeaking ont he one hand, but on the other hand, especially given the mini flap over this yesterday, it shows (1) McCain's age may be a suble issue in terms of keeping things straight; (2) McCain's age is an issue int he sense he still sees the world as the way it was when he was a middle aged (50 year old) man and Czechoslavakia was a nation; (3) if he is going to hammer so hard on forgeign policy, he should get hammered back and held to a high standard.... remember the Sunni v Shiite comments? Remember that he voted for this disaterous war in the first place? Imagine if Obama misspoke on such an issue twice in tow days after being corrected!

Geoff (Sent Tuesday, July 15, 2008 1:33 PM)

If Obama had made a fraction of the mistakes McSame has, the media would have jumped on it like a free buffet.

How about some fair reporting people?

Stop covering for McCain! (Sent Tuesday, July 15, 2008 1:34 PM)

Clara, and Pat,Boston MA

Thanks Clara for your response to Jeff. I responded to him, and others, in the 'What Sells'article.

Pat, The person who called you a 'loser' yeaterday is a certifiable idiot. You're great!

donna (Sent Tuesday, July 15, 2008 1:35 PM)

Old Man Yells at Clouds!

Obama-Junkie, IL (Sent Tuesday, July 15, 2008 1:36 PM)

The debates are going to be hilarious. This man is trying to give us the impression he is on top of things and yet his mind is often back in the 90's. I originally said hilarious but now I think its just plain sad. My Mom is 78 and she has her "moments", but she's not running for the most powerful office on the planet. Thank God for that.

Benny, SFBayArea, California (Sent Tuesday, July 15, 2008 1:37 PM)

McThuselah missed his nap again. I can't wait till he announces his plan to visit the Weimar Republic and the USSR.
Man-sized Sage, Corpus Christi, Texas (Sent Tuesday, July 15, 2008
---------------------------------------------------
I hear he may try squeeze in a stop in Constantinople.

GP Chicago (Sent Tuesday, July 15, 2008 1:40 PM)

http://www.newsweek.com/id/146210/page/1

So what else is new. Check out this website for more McSame errors......

Donna - Charlottesville, VA (Sent Tuesday, July 15, 2008 1:41 PM)

When is SENILE OLD MCFLIPFLOP going to talk about visiting SIAM? When is SENILE OLD MCFLIPFLOP going to talk about dealing with East Germany? When is SENILE OLD MCFLIPFLOP going to discuss a planned trip to Austria-Hungary? SENILE OLD MCFLIPFLOP is way too old to be President. He has the mental capacity of a 5-year-old.

Patrick, Indianapolis (Sent Tuesday, July 15, 2008 1:43 PM)

Let's see, McCain's been in Washington for 26 years and he can't keep up with events from the past 16 years.

With leaders like McCain, it's easy to understand why America is such a mess these days.

Better get some crazy glue and stick Lieberman to McCain's side.

Dan, McFarland, WI (Sent Tuesday, July 15, 2008 1:43 PM)

Hey McCain, STOP using Viagra you might get some blood to your brain

Jim K, Sevierville (Sent Tuesday, July 15, 2008 1:43 PM)

Someone should tell him that Istanbul was once Constantinople as well.

ken montana (Sent Tuesday, July 15, 2008 1:46 PM)

Negatives...intellect, temperment, health, judgement.
Positives...an imagination, wife with a lot of dough,
a good salute,
Vote McCain (in his universe he's the only choice)

bill, okla (Sent Tuesday, July 15, 2008 1:49 PM)

I'd sooner have a white guy in office that understands the needs of most Americans rather then a black guy that understands the needs of no one.

Jacob Blackstone (Sent Tuesday, July 15, 2008 1:51 PM)

And he still thinks Lenningrad is still a city in the Soviet Union...

With mistakes like this, he makes Bush look smart!

Pat Huntington NY (Sent Tuesday, July 15, 2008 1:54 PM)

"I'd sooner have a white guy in office that understands the needs of most Americans rather then a black guy that understands the needs of no one. "

Ummmm, Jacob, what does the coloring of the candidates have to do with anything? Can you elaborate? John McCain may UNDERSTAND your concerns, but the question is can he REMEMBER them?

Nashville_fan (Sent Tuesday, July 15, 2008 1:55 PM)

This is not the second time, he has said it before. Don't you watch Countdown? Last night Rachel covered this...

Peg, Chicago, IL (Sent Tuesday, July 15, 2008 1:56 PM)

Hmmm... Doesn't his staff care enough about him to have corrected him after the first time he made that mistake?

Ruth from Washington State (Sent Tuesday, July 15, 2008 1:57 PM)

McCain is too old for the Presidency. He has health problems and hearing problems. How in the heck will he be able to hear the red phone ringing at 3:00 a.m. while he is in deep slumber? I respect the elders in our society, but my parents are in their early 70's and they are not as quick moving and sharp minded as they were 10 years ago. Also, the life expectancy of white American males is 75. There's a very, very good chance McCain will not make it through his first term. This country is in great peril. We need someone for the long haul. Even I accept the fact that my parents could drop at any time now. Give me a break. McCAIN IS TOO OLD FOLKS!

Chi-Town Cheryl (Sent Tuesday, July 15, 2008 1:58 PM)

Funny stuff...apparently the right really needs to update their world maps and get a round globe to look at once in awhile...pssssst...the earth is older than 6 thousand years too

Rick, NC (Sent Tuesday, July 15, 2008 1:59 PM)

McCain - The gift that keeps on giving. As I've said on many occassions, just keep the mic in front of him 24/7. He'll bury himself. This is just one of many gaffes he will continue to make up until November. I can't wait for the debates. He will truly look like the old, out of touch, creepy little man that he is.

Diane from Illinois (Sent Tuesday, July 15, 2008 2:01 PM)

WOW and to think Obama thinks we have 57 states. Seems he has senior moments too and he is only in his forties go figure!

Just saying (Sent Tuesday, July 15, 2008 2:01 PM)

I'd sooner have a white guy in office that understands the needs of most Americans rather then a black guy that understands the needs of no one.
Jacob Blackstone (Sent Tuesday, July 15, 2008 1:51 PM)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Not only is this post racist, but it makes no sense, as McBush doesn't "understand the needs" of anyone. He is cruising around in his wife's private jet, back and forth between their SEVEN houses, claiming that we are all a bunch of whiners and that our money problems are in our heads. Not to mention the fact that he seems to be more and more senile as the days go by. I wouldn't be surprised if he pees in the corner.

Just wait for the debates. That little gimp Leiberman won;t be on stage to whisper in McBush's Bell-tone hearing aide. Obama will run circles around McBush.

Can't wait!

obama 08 (Sent Tuesday, July 15, 2008 2:02 PM)

Brenda,
You're wrong...he's the second dumbest man to run for president.

Susan, New Jersey (Sent Tuesday, July 15, 2008 2:03 PM)

Breaking News!!!!........

The Econ 101 Chapter 1 test has been handed in by Johnny Mc. Lieberman has corrected it. Of the four questions (true/false) Johnny got three correct. He did have trouble correctly spelling ECONOMICS, but after a few minutes and many erasures he did identify the correct spelling. He scored 75%, which turns out to be 30 points higher than his final grade average at the Naval Academy.

A.Brocco,Albuquerque,NM (Sent Tuesday, July 15, 2008 2:04 PM)

did he mention Benedict Arnold and the red coats?

ya know (Sent Tuesday, July 15, 2008 2:04 PM)

In the 2000 campaign, when McCain also screwed up Czechoslovakia, it was none other than George W. Bush who said it deserved to be a campaign issue: "A guy gets up and quizzes me [on world leaders] ... but John McCain says something about the 'ambassador to Czechoslovakia.' Well, I know there is no Czechoslovakia [there's a Czech Republic and a Slovakia], but yet it didn't make the nightly national news."

Jamil - Dearborn, MI (Sent Tuesday, July 15, 2008 2:04 PM)

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