The world stage is a veritable gold mine for those in need of some amusement, with hundreds of stupid quotes by politicians - quotes that unfortunately tend to be much better-remembered than any of the good things said politicians have done. Oh well – read on for some of the most stupid quotes our politicians have ever uttered.
For the first stupid quote by a politician, we look to the current president of the USA and his infamous bowling comment. “No, no. I have been practicing... I bowled a 129. It's like -- it was like Special Olympics, or something." President Obama may have insulted some disabled people, in response to Jay Leno’s question regarding his bowling skills.
While President Obama may have been trying for a self-deprecating joke on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, his comparison to the Special Olympics sparked immediate outcry. It showed a lack of sensitivity, suggesting a disconnect from the achievements and dignity of individuals with disabilities who participate in the Special Olympics. The quip quickly overshadowed his attempt at humor and turned into an awkward misstep, prompting an apology to the Special Olympics chairman via telephone from the Oval Office. This incident served as a stark reminder that words, especially those of a president, carry significant weight.
“But obviously, we’ve got to stand with our North Korean allies.” Sarah Palin comes down on the side of totalitarianism, after being asked how she would handle hostilities between North and South Korea.
"Hillary Clinton is as qualified or more qualified than I am to be Vice President of the United States of America. Quite frankly, it might have been a better pick than me." Joe Biden thinks honesty is the best policy.
"Stand up, Chuck, let 'em see ya." Joe Biden to Missouri State Sen. Chuck Graham… who’s in a wheelchair.
"I am not going to give you a number for it because it's not my business to do intelligent work." Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, when asked to estimate the number of Iraqi insurgents while testifying before Congress.
"Do You Have Blacks, Too?" George Bush, The King of Political Gaffes, to Brazilian President Fernando Cardoso.
"Goodbye from The World's Biggest Polluter." George Bush, departing his final G8 Summit with a smile, a punch in the air and these immortal words.
"From what I understand from doctors, that's really rare. If it's a legitimate rape, the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down." Todd Akin, when asked if he supports abortion in the case of rape. He lost the race for state senate after this. Understandably.
"When you have a fire in an aircraft, there's no place to go, exactly, there's no -- and you can't find any oxygen from outside the aircraft to get in the aircraft, because the windows don't open. I don't know why they don't do that. It's a real problem." Mitt Romney, on why plane windows should open at 30,000 feet
"I went to a number of women's groups and said “Can you help us find folks?” and they brought us whole binders full of women." Mitt Romney, on staffing his cabinet as governor of Massachusetts. This statement was later proven to be untrue.
"We use Ann sparingly right now so that people don't get tired of her." Mitt Romney, referring to his beloved wife.
"We have a president, who I think is a nice guy, but he spent too much time at Harvard, perhaps." Mitt Romney, who, incidentally, has two Harvard degrees.
Mitt Romney is an American politician and businessman who served as the 70th Governor of Massachusetts from 2003 to 2007 and was the Republican Party's nominee for President of the United States in the 2012 election. He previously was the CEO of Bain & Company and co-founder of Bain Capital, a private equity investment firm. Romney has two Harvard degrees, including a Bachelor of Arts in English from Brigham Young University and a joint JD/MBA degree from Harvard Law School and Harvard Business School. His statement about the current president spending too much time at Harvard is ironic given his own educational background.
"As I write these words there are semi-naked women playing beach volleyball in the middle of the horse guards parade immortalized by Canaletto. They are glistening like wet otters and the water is splashing off the brims of the spectators’ sou’westers." The lovable, ridiculous Boris Johnson, mayor of London, on the women’s Olympic volleyball team.
“Here we are in one of the most depressed downs in southern England, a place that is arguably too full of drugs, obesity, underachievement and Labour MPs.” Boris Johnson, referring to the seaside town of Portsmouth, England.
"Voting Tory will cause your wife to have bigger breasts and increase your chances of owning a BMW M3." Boris Johnson, who knows the easy way to the hearts of British voters.
Well, this is just a very small selection of many – after having read this, you may feel a little frightened that these men have/had power. Still, everyone makes mistakes, right? Theirs are just immortalized forever. What do you think are the most memorable political gaffes?