When we harp on the gaffs a candidate makes, regardless of the side, we say more about our absence of reasonable arguments. Whether it be Dan Quayle spelling potato incorrectly, one of GW's infamous misstatements, Big Al claiming to invent the internet, or Bubba decrying the church burnings in Arkansas that never happened, we simply avoid discussing actual important items. Liberal jackels are quick to condemn McCain as senile because he confuses Shia and Sunni, not an uncommon error amongst anyone referring to the region, or references Putin as President of Germany in a midst of a statement that started with him saying he was in a conference in Germany and President Putin of Germany . . . But what do they say when Obama refers to having toured all 57 states? Right wing nuts use this as proof that Obama is a Muslim terrorist since there are 57 Islamic states. If McCain makes bloopers because he's senile, does Obama do so because he's ignorant? Equally asinine reactions. These guys speak publically 24x7. They're always on camera or on tape. Anyone makes a slip of the tongue and to attribute any greater meaning says more about the stupidity of the person making the assertion than the character or abilities of the politician.

HOWEVER, if one of these folks were to make a similar blunder as a integral part of a prepared presentation and continued with the thought, e.g.., had McCain actually confused Putin and Merkel and attributed Merkel's action in Germany to Putin or had Obama started rattling off the states as Iowa, Dubai, Montana, Indonesia, Arizona, Yemen, etc., there'd be a problem. A slip is a slip and means nothing. Saying something you really mean but did not mean to say out loud for public consumption is not an innocent slip of the tongue. It is a gotcha, and should be attacked with all vehemence.