Foot-in-Mouth Moment of the Day

It was going so well: Presidential hopeful Senator Joe Biden (Democratic Party, Delaware) was chatting up a supporter (or perhaps ex-supporter now) of Indian descent who said that more support was forthcoming from the Indian-American community. Then he ruined it, and worse still, it was caught on video:

His gaffe:

“In Delaware, the largest growth in population is Indian Americans, moving from India. You cannot go to a 7/11 or a Dunkin Donuts unless you have a slight Indian accent. I’m not joking!”

Biden’s staff is spinning this one pretty hard. Here’s what a spokesperson told ABC’s The Note:

“The point Senator Biden was making is that there has been a vibrant Indian American community in Delaware for decades. It has primarily been made up of engineers, scientists and physicians, but more recently, middle class families are moving into Delaware and purchasing family-run small businesses. These families have greatly contributed to the vibrancy of the Indian American community in Delaware and are making a significant contribution to the national economy as well. Senator Biden has tremendous admiration for the Indian American community. They have enjoyed a long-standing relationship of mutual support and respect.”