Special Sub-Topic: More Political Quips & Gaffes Click Here To Play: More Political Quips & Gaffes

Who said, "I was recently on a tour of Latin America, and the only regret I have was that I didn't study Latin harder in school so I could converse with those people."

None of These. Dan Quayle is notorious for his gaffes, but this happens to be one of the few falsely attributed to him. Representative Claudine Schneider invented this saying as a punch line to a joke, putting the words into the mouth of Dan Quayle. She was not claiming to quote him; she was only aiming for a laugh, but the press soon picked up on the line and reported it as if Quayle had really said it. The "urban legend" has been exposed on http://www.snopes.com/quotes/quayle.htm.

Who referred to his habit of falling asleep during meetings as "personal staff time"?

Ronald Reagan. He also called it "staff time for Bonzo." In addition, Reagan once quipped, "I have left orders to be awakened at any time in case of national emergency, even if I'm in a cabinet meeting."

Who said, "Welcome to President Bush, Mrs. Bush, and my fellow astronauts"?

Dan Quayle. Quayle's infamous gaffes were first circulated on the internet in correct attribution to Quayle himself. Later, many were falsely attributed to Al Gore. Then, George W. Bush got to endure the blame.

Who originally said, "You know frankly, going to war without France is like going deer hunting without an accordion. You just leave a lot of useless noisy baggage behind."

Jed Babbin. Jed Babbin was the first to speak these words while appearing on Hardball in January of 2003. Babbin was a deputy undersecretary of defense during the administration of the first President Bush. (Source: http://www.snopes.com/quotes/babbin.htm)

Dan Quayle misspoke by saying that we (the United States) were a part of what?

Europe. "We have a firm commitment to NATO, we are a part of NATO. We have a firm commitment to Europe. We are a part of Europe."

Who, when asked if he would resign were he in President Clinton's place, responded that he would not have a chance to resign, because: "I would be looking up from a pool of blood and hearing my wife say: 'How do I reload this thing?'"

Dick Armey. Dick Armey, the House Republican Majority Leader, made this quip in September of 1998.

Who said, "The problem with the French is that they don't have a word for entrepreneur."

None of These. George W. Bush somehow got credited with speaking this gaffe to Tony Blair, who in turn has denied that Bush ever said any such thing. Like the Quayle "Latin America" misquote, it was probably originally told as a mere joke in a speech by the Baroness Williams of Crosby. (Source: http://www.snopes.com/quotes/bush.htm)

Who made a political gaffe by suggesting that we need a law to prevent 18 to 20 year olds from buying handguns? He said, "Right now they can walk into any gun shop, any pawn shop, any gun show, anywhere in America and buy a handgun."

Al Gore. Since 1968, it has been illegal under federal law for persons under 21 years of age to purchase handguns. (Individual states are allowed to set the age at which citizens can legally possess handguns, but no one under age 21 can legally purchase a handgun in a shop.)

Who made a political faux pas by looking at his watch during a debate?

George Bush. This scene occurred in 1992, during a debate with Bill Clinton and Ross Perot. Bush appeared bored with his opponents.

Who quipped, "Politics is supposed to be the second oldest profession. I have come to realize that it bears a very close resemblance to the first."

Ronald Reagan. The first oldest profession, of course, is prostitution. Reagan, dubbed "The Great Communicator," was known for his wit.