How Do They Scold Him?

Thursday, April 30, 2009

Honestly, politics aside, do you ever wonder how they scold Vice President Biden after he totally botches an interview? How many times does he do this?!

Today the Vice President made the White House cringe when talking about swine flue he said, “I would tell members of my family — and I have — I wouldn’t go anywhere in confined places now. It’s not that it’s going to Mexico - it’s you’re in a confined aircraft. When one person sneezes it goes all the way through the aircraft.” He added that he wouldn’t suggest for his family to travel on a subway.

Just last night President Obama was trying to send a message that while the flu is serious, it is not something to panic about (yet at least). “I’ve asked every American to take the same steps you would take to prevent any other flu:  Keep your hands washed; cover your mouth when you cough; stay home from work if you’re sick; and keep your children home from school if they’re sick,” he said.

With the Vice President coming off as a fear mongering germaphobe in comparison to the President, White House officials immediately tried to clarify what the Vice President of course really meant.

Just to name a few…

“The advice he is giving family members is the same advice the administration is giving to all Americans: that they should avoid unnecessary air travel to and from Mexico,” said the Vice President’s spokeswoman Elizabeth Alexander within an hour “If they are sick, they should avoid airplanes and other confined public spaces, such as subways.”

Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolatano said within two hours, “If he could say that over again, he would say if they’re feeling sick they should stay off of public transit or confined spaces because that is indeed the advice that we’re giving.”

Robert Gibbs said, “I think that what the Vice President meant to say was the same thing that again many members have said in the last few days and that is if you feel sick… that you should take precautions, limit your travel, I think he just, what he said, and what he meant to say.”

The CDC updated their website to read, “CDC has NOT recommended that people avoid travel.”

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said, “It is safe to fly. There is no reason to cancel flights.”

New York Governor Michael Bloomberg said, “I think what Joe Biden was talking about was, it is true if you have all these symptoms, we recommend you stay home.”

I wonder if they’re all going to call him at once.