Misspoken Missive

"Senator Rockefeller, the editorial board would like to thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to sit down with us and review the political situation in our nation. You've served with Senator McCain for many years. What insights might you have about the presumptive Republican candidate?"

The senator eases forward in his chair a few inches and gathers his thoughts.

"McCain was a fighter pilot, who dropped laser-guided missiles from 35,000 feet. He was long gone when they hit. What happened when they (the missiles) got to the ground? He doesn't know. You have to care about the lives of people. McCain never gets into those issues," Sen. Jay Rockefeller says shooting a knowing look to the gathered reporters.

I wasn't there, but I don't think I'm too far off capturing the scene. Rockefeller wasn't ambushed on the street corner by some Michael Moore type. He was at a formal discussion with editorial writers. His retraction went something like this:

"Well, when I said McCain was a fighter pilot who cavalierly dropped missiles from 35,000 feet with a flagrant disregard for the damage they caused and the innocent people they killed, what I meant to say was that Senator McCain is a true American hero. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to clarify my point."

If the nation were to vote on the best "misspoken" comments from a politician, the race would be crowded and close.

The other day Barack Obama said referring to the American people, "It's not surprising, then, they get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations."

Here's a man who has made his faith the centerpiece of his political rise to prominence. I'm one of those who "clings to religion," but I don't see it as a negative. One's faith should be the source of strength in difficult times and humility and generosity in prosperous times.

Backpedaling the following day, Obama said, "...well you know, when you're bitter you turn to what you can count on." A lot of Americans would agree with him here: While we we can't count on our politicians, we can count on our guns. But I don't think that's exactly what Obama had in mind.

The candidate follows in the rich tradition established by his wife earlier in the campaign when she took a broad swipe at the country with her remark, “For the first time in my adult lifetime, I am really proud of my country, and not just because Barack has done well, but because I think people are hungry for change.”

But, of course, neither of the Obamas can hold a candle to their pastor, Rev. Jeremiah Wright Jr., who didn't hold anything back when it was time for him to declare his attitude about the United States:

“God damn America … for killing innocent people. God damn America for threatening citizens as less than humans. God damn America as long as she tries to act like she is God and supreme.”

I praise Rev. Wright for having the courage of his convictions. He is the only one of the four mentioned here who, to my knowledge, didn't try to claim he misspoke. He has some gripes against this country and he was honest about them.

When I think about Michelle Obama's lack of pride in the United States, and Barack Obama's picture of mindless middle America clinging to religions and guns (Why didn't he throw in Nascar and beer to boot?), I have to believe that they sat through more than a few of Rev. Wrights anti-American rants, despite their claims to the contrary.

Now excuse me, I've got to get out of here, my office is coming under sniper fire.

And no...I am not a homosexual.