Clinton's 'Dubya' moment

When you've been blasting your rival for his supposed lack of foreign policy knowledge, fumbling the name of the incoming Russian president is a gaffe best avoided. That's what Hillary Clinton did at last night's debate in Cleveland, Ohio - and it didn't go unnoticed in Russia. Watch the clip below and then scroll down to the second video to see how Russian TV reported it.

Here's how the stumble played out in the blogosphere:

Top of the Ticket, LA Times:

"Chances are you don't know his name. But then you're not running for president. We'll never know if the name was known by Obama, who is running for president, because Russert chose to put Clinton on the spot. And she blew it."

Ben Smith, Politico:

"It's not really that hard a name, and it was a moment in which both candidates -- though particularly Hillary -- demonstrated a bit of thinness on a big international story. Clinton was unsure of it, and Obama didn't add his first name."

Trail Mix, Congressional Quarterly:

"That is not the sort of flub that will matter this week. But it sure could make a difference if something like that happened in the general election debates against Republican nominee-to-be John McCain, who has recently talked about Medvedev by name and at length.

"But at least Obama or Clinton have plenty of time to memorize the names of foreign leaders before taking on McCain in a debate."

Comments

[prudence eely bond mcguire]

When one is determined to discredit one candidate and not the other - what can one do?
The question Mrs. Clinton, stumbled on, is a great big joke!
Regardless, of who, is elected, in Russia, as the 'beard', we, all know who rules and will continue to wield power there.
Now all in chorus - PUTIN! PUTIN! PUTIN1

[E.D. Cape Cod, Mass. USA]

Cute how the Russian press plays fast and loose with the minor detail that "The Onion" is a parody of a news outlet. Although The Onion has more credibility than the Russian press, they both have the same level of legitimacy - none.

Of course in Russia, political contests end before they start (usually by arresting and mercilessly harrassing the opposition candidates). In the west, political contests end at the end. Big difference.

Sorry Russia

[Marcia Dwyer]

Clinton's Dubya Moment? Good Grief!!! Once again, an example of the blatant bias and slanted news media reporting on the campaign - particularly when it comes to Clinton. She may have stumbled in pronouncing it, but she rose to the question and did say his name. The Dubya Moment may have been if Obama were asked the same question - but that wouldn't happen - the media (nor the corporations) would never risk showing him in a poor, unpresidential light. And, gee, it's more fun to see create a "gottcha" moment with Clinton - it didn't happen.

Marcia D

[Marv]

You call this a "Dubya moment" ???

Typical, snarky, prejudicial, idiotic, Leftist, irrelevance.

It just so happens, you over-employed piece of crap, that verbal gaffes have nothing whatsoever to do with policy or candidate qualifications, etc.

If you media elites would focus on substance rather than on "show," then maybe this world would be better off. But then, you're all about "show," aren't you?

[BIG WIG]

The fat lady should be singing because ITS OVER. She is like an annoying, nagging cough that wont go away.

Old school politics does not apply in this modern day. New technology. No dipping pen/feather in ink. Email and cellphone.

[Gary]

I'm not voting for Hillary -- if I even participate in the charade -- but this is hardly a "Dubya moment", IMO. Dubya can't pronounce common words in his native tongue. :)

Now I see the new Russian Pres. name looks like a common Jewish-American name "Medved" as in conservative pundit Michael Medved, with Russianized ending "ev" and accent on the 2nd syllable. At least that's how I would have memorized it -- and Hillary should have practiced it before the spotlight -- but I understand how it's more difficult for the American tongue than "Putin" or "Obama".

Funny how she got nervous --- "Whatever." Ouch.

[Stella]

Actually the question was just asked and Hillary was the only one who knew the answer. So she mispronounced his name, at least she knew it.

[Robert]

Well, I'm not a politician and I DO know about Mr Medvedev, and not only his name. Really strange that this "experienced" candidate doesn't. Don't they read newspapers?!

[Bruno in NYC]

I'm sure Putin has already forgotten Medvedawhatever's name.

[shaun]

Funny Clinton is getting shafted while Obama clearly had no clue that Putin had a successor. He was looking blankly at Hillary as she answered the question and then he came up with 3 year old rambling about Russia under Putin.
Hillary's point about being asked tough questions first is very pertinent. The media allows Obama to hide his ignorance and get away with "I agree with Hillary" all too often.

[JaySvenson]

Ridiculous--
She clearly knew the name but just stumbled over the pronunciation--which is (after all) not easy. Obama, on the other hand, looked like the teacher just announced a pop quiz and he hadn't done his homework

[khadijat]

O.k, she could not pronounce a name that was "foreign", big deal, at least she knew what it was. I think people are just looking for any old reason to say why they think she is not a suitable candidate. I want some real news, thanks. This is just silly.

[Maggie R]

You must have missed it when Russert asked the question. He didn't ask a particular candidate, but tossed it in the air. IF you bothered to watch, Obama pleadingly looked to Hillary to answer. The great savior didn't even try to answer the follow-up about the name. Did he even know it? I would guess that he does now.

[Adam Hunt]

How this can be compared to Bush's gaffes is ludicrous. Clinton stalled for a second before recounting his name.

The press in this country and the US seem to be so keen on backing Obama rather than Clinton when the latter has far more experience. And Obama is clearly exploiting the race card which is pathetic.

Some unbiased reporting wouldn't go a miss - or does Rupert Murdoch have a hidden agenda here?

[Erica]

This has to be the dumbest story you all have ever written. Get a life or better get a real story!

[John Chuckman, Toronto, Canada]

Marv Baby,

And what on what substance would one focus in the case of Bush?

His effective low intelligence?

His lack of genuine emotion?

His psychopathy?

His war crimes?

And you have sure shown us the way towards discussions of substance with your clever "over-employed piece of crap."

Marv, you offer yourself up almost as a poster boy for everything that is wrong with America.

How can anyone wonder why America is so disliked today?

[Cllr Ken Tiwari (independent)]

For what i and many people here in UK and
thausands of good american voters will knows the poorer American needs help, and
that will be there Hillary Clinton I am sure !!!!!
Sadly there's an opportunist politico-Obama-
is taking that chance away, most of the media knows, if Barak Obama gets the Democrats nomination, then the republican-
president will for sure, Barak Obama is very
selfish and could'nt care a damn for any one!
Cllr Ken Tiwari(Ind/ Oxf-UK)

[khadijat ezimokhai]

I believe Hillary Clinton is the most suitable candidate and its a shame millions cannot see that. I am a black African and I do not believe in voting for someone simply because we are the same color. I believe experience, credibility and honesty speak so much for a person. Which is exactly what Clinton has. Label her as an aggressive, cold and stiff woman who stood by her cheating husband but at the end of the day its guaranteed she will still get the job done. She is passionate about what she is fighting for, she knows what she is going to do, step by step, and yes she has a heart and when I watch her, I can see that beneath that outer cool there is a very caring individual. Its a shame people cant see that. This is not a popularity contest, its a presidential campaign and I think voters have confused the two. Obama is young, funny, smart, very ambitious and has the likability factor, in fact I would love to party with him but that doesnt mean he should be the next president.He says what he wants voters to hear, his words seem very empty to me. He may be a great speaker but he does not have a mind of his own. And judging from his senate votes as present (instead of yer or no) on various issues, shows we dont have a strong leader. Instead what we have is someone who cant dig his foot in and say I stand for this. Yet he goes around state to state screaming about standing for change. There is a danger in electing someone who doesnt have a mind of their own, they can be easily influenced by those around them. At this crucial time in American history this is not the kind of leader they should be looking for. Hillary on the other hand knows exactly what she wants and wont stand around for anyone to tell her what to do.Moreover, I believe this entire race is a personal thing for Hillary. Given what she went through during the time of her husband's presidency, this may be her way of standing up again and saying Ive been through that and Im strong again or some kind of achievement. And I say, give it to her, she has worked hard her whole life for the people, changed thousand of lives for the better and will continue to do so.

[Michael Cowan]

Cllr Ken Tiwari,

I am glad you could figure all of that out from the UK's media coverage. Sadly you are mistaken.

We like Obama because he is different. I do NOT want another typical Republican OR Democrate to be president.

Hilary has been 'working for the poor' for 35 years now. She has been pushing for 'Universal Healthcare' for 16 years. She has been trying to straighten out trade for 16 years as well.

She claims all this experience, what has she accomplished? Even if you could credit the Clintons with the booming Economy (and you can't) how does she reconcile the fact that the poor in America are worse off?

All of her work for the 'poor' simply made rich America richer. Sure a few people on the edge of rich got pushed over, but the poor are worse off now than ever.

Healthcare is out of control, she has been working on it for 16 years.

She failed, her plans will NEVER pass Congress because they hate her. The Clintons are the #1 reason that the republicans swept the elections and took over the goverment.

People believe in Obama, they want someone new to try new things, to shake up the old dinosours who think they own this country.

Finally, many Americans hate Hilary and would rather have a reublican. Few people hate Obama. Most Hilary supports say he is a good guy.

I have voted republican for the last 33 years, but this election I stand behind Obama. He is the only one with a chance to push any new inititives through.