The Risk in Public Campaigning.
Gaffe: “An unintentional comment that causes a politician embarrassment. The term often refers to a politician inadvertently saying something publicly that they privately believe is true, but would ordinarily not say because it is politically damaging.”
—Taegan Goddard’s Political Dictionary
Check out the following gaffe from Vice President Joe Biden in which he stated “poor kids are just as bright and just as talented as white kids.”
Read this short article from the article explaining why Joe Biden’s gaffes matter from the New Yorker and answer the questions that follow.
Questions for Completion
1. According to the author, why do Biden’s gaffes matter?
2. To what degree do gaffes, on average, determine election outcomes?
3. Why do you think the media pays so much attention to political gaffes?