Gaffe of the day: "What I call the real America"

Source CNN Poll Obama 49-43
October 16, 2008
Greensboro, North Carolina
Gov Palin on the stump:

"We believe that the best of America is in the small towns that we get to visit, and in the wonderful little pockets of what I call the real America, being here with all of you hard-working, very patriotic, very pro-America areas of this great nation. This is where we find the kindness and the goodness and the courage of everyday Americans."

October 17th
Palin clarifies:

"It's all pro-America. I was just reinforcing the fact that there, where I was, there's good patriotic people there in these rallies, so excited about positive change and reform of government that's coming that they are so appreciative of hearing our message, hearing our plan. Not any one area of America is more pro-America patriotically than others."

From her interview with reporters on the plane:

I know Obama loves America. I'm sure that is why he's running for president. It's because he wants to do what he believes is in the best interest of this great nation....But I don't question at all Barack Obama's love for this great country."

October 17th
Mesilla, New Mexico
Joe Biden on the stump:

"I hope it was just a slip on her part and she doesn't really mean it. But she said, it was reported she said, that she likes to visit, 'pro-American' parts of the country. It doesn't matter where you live, we all love this country, and I hope it gets through. We all love this country. We are one nation, under God, indivisible. We are all patriotic. We all love our country in every part of this nation! And I'm tired. I am tired, tired, tired, tired of the implications about patriotism."

"...this election is very, very, very, very, far from over."

(There's still one internal and one external surprise left.)

October 17th
Miami, Florida
McCain on the stump:

"...the next president won't have time to get used to the office. He won't have the luxury of studying up on the issues before he acts. He will have to act immediately. And to do that, he will need experience, courage, judgment and a bold plan of action to take this country in a new direction."

Why are Biden/Obama bothering with Palin/McCain? Leaders don't look back at the competition - they look forward to crossing the finish line. Looking back gives those behind the idea that they can catch up. Marathoners once in the lead usually win.

Update.