Rep. Todd Akin's statement that a woman's body is capable of preventing pregnancy in cases of "legitimate rape" was so outrageous that even Mitt Romney quickly denounced him, says Dean Obeidallah. But the Akin gaffe may end up infecting Romney's campaign.
A gallery of gaffes —
Rep. Todd Akin's statement that a woman's body is capable of preventing pregnancy in cases of "legitimate rape" was so outrageous that even Mitt Romney quickly denounced him, says Dean Obeidallah. But the Akin gaffe may end up infecting Romney's campaign.
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As he tried to fire up the crowd after his third-place finish in the Iowa caucuses in 2004, a hoarse Howard Dean let out a yell that played very loud on TV. His "I Have a Scream" speech was seen by some as unpresidential and was widely mocked.
A gallery of gaffes —
As he tried to fire up the crowd after his third-place finish in the Iowa caucuses in 2004, a hoarse Howard Dean let out a yell that played very loud on TV. His "I Have a Scream" speech was seen by some as unpresidential and was widely mocked.
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In 1990, Texas Republican gubernatorial candidate Clayton Williams was leading his Democratic opponent, Ann Richards, by 11 points less than three months before Election Day. Then he uttered a wisecrack comparing bad weather and rape: "If it's inevitable, just relax and enjoy it.'' He lost by 2 percentage points.
A gallery of gaffes —
In 1990, Texas Republican gubernatorial candidate Clayton Williams was leading his Democratic opponent, Ann Richards, by 11 points less than three months before Election Day. Then he uttered a wisecrack comparing bad weather and rape: "If it's inevitable, just relax and enjoy it.'' He lost by 2 percentage points.
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George Romney (Mitt's father) opposed the Vietnam War during his presidential run, although he had previously supported it. In explaining his change of heart, he said that in 1965, he visited Southeast Asia and met with U.S. generals who "brainwashed" him into supporting the war. His candidacy could not recover.
A gallery of gaffes —
George Romney (Mitt's father) opposed the Vietnam War during his presidential run, although he had previously supported it. In explaining his change of heart, he said that in 1965, he visited Southeast Asia and met with U.S. generals who "brainwashed" him into supporting the war. His candidacy could not recover.
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In 1972, Sen. Edmund Muskie was a leading candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination. But his candidacy came apart when the press reported that he had "tears streaming down his face" as he defended against attacks on his wife and himself by the publisher of a New Hampshire newspaper. Muskie said they were snowflakes, but his calm image was damaged.
A gallery of gaffes —
In 1972, Sen. Edmund Muskie was a leading candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination. But his candidacy came apart when the press reported that he had "tears streaming down his face" as he defended against attacks on his wife and himself by the publisher of a New Hampshire newspaper. Muskie said they were snowflakes, but his calm image was damaged.
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Republican Sen. George Allen publicly used the racially derogatory term "macaca" to describe a staff member of his opponent's campaign who was of Indian heritage. Allen had been leading in the polls at the time but went on to lose that 2006 election.
A gallery of gaffes —
Republican Sen. George Allen publicly used the racially derogatory term "macaca" to describe a staff member of his opponent's campaign who was of Indian heritage. Allen had been leading in the polls at the time but went on to lose that 2006 election.
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