EconHumor: Politicians Say the Dumbest Things

Politicians are typically smart and well-educated. But under pressure – and especially when they’re trying to sugarcoat the ugly truth or blatantly lie, they tend to come up with some pretty dumb things.

Here’s a collection of some of the best political blunders:

“Do you own sombreros? Do you know the Mexican hat dance?” — Sidney Yates, U.S. representative from Illinois, addressing Hispanic high school students.

Politicians are typically smart and well-educated. But under pressure – and especially when they’re trying to sugarcoat the ugly truth or blatantly lie, they tend to come up with some pretty dumb things.

Here’s a collection of some of the best political blunders:

“Do you own sombreros? Do you know the Mexican hat dance?” — Sidney Yates, U.S. representative from Illinois, addressing Hispanic high school students.

“There are known knowns. There are things we know that we know. There are known unknowns. That is to say, there are things that we know we don’t know. But there are also unknown unknowns. There are things we don’t know we don’t know.” — Donald Rumsfeld, secretary of defense.

“I think that gay marriage should be between a man and a woman.” – Schwarzenegger

But Sarah Palin (and Tina Fey of Saturday Night Live) takes the cake in this classic skit: SNL Sarah Palin Interview vs Real Sarah Palin.

“I am working for the time when unqualified blacks, browns and women join the unqualified men in running the government.” — Frances “Sissy” Farenthold, Texas state representative.

“I think incest can be handled as a family matter within the family.” — Jay Dickey Jr., U.S. representative from Arkansas.

“These people are just like us. They love their children and keep themselves clean.” — Paul Hardy, Louisiana gubernatorial candidate, after visiting a housing project in New Orleans.

“A verbal contract is not worth the paper it’s written on.” -Samuel Goldwyn

[quote]”We are not without accomplishment. We have managed to distribute poverty equally.” -Nguyen Co Thatch, Vietnamese foreign minister,[/quote]

Those who survived the San Francisco earthquake said, “Thank God, I’m still alive.” But, of course, those who died, their lives will never be the same again. – Sen. Barbara Boxer, (D, Calif.)

I have opinions of my own — strong opinions — but I don’t always agree with them. – President George H.W. Bush

“It isn’t pollution that is hurting the environment, it’s the impurities in our air and water that are doing it.” -Dan Quayle

“I love California, I practically grew up in Phoenix.” -Dan Quayle

Sources: Cleveland & Some Guy