On the campaign trail, politicians can’t bve expected to be “on their game” all the time. Even in the best of times, they should not be expected to know everything, always, instantly. But, should they know what their marketing department is publishing and spending serious money to say ? A recent interview answers with “no” …

Couric: “Are you disappointed with the tone of the campaign? The ‘lipstick on the pig’ stuff, and some of the ads – you guys haven’t been completely guilt-free making fun of John McCain’s inability to use a computer.”

Biden: “I thought that was terrible by the way”

Couric: “Why did you do it then?”

Biden: “I didn’t know we did it and if I had anything to do with it, we would have never done it. And I don’t think Barack, you know. I just think that was …”

Couric: “Did Obama approve that ad?”

Biden: “The answer is I don’t think there was anything intentional about that. They were trying to make another point. That’s very different than deliberately taking a vote [quote] Barack Obama had to teach children about how to deal with child-predators and saying he was teaching them sex education in kindergarten. Very different in degree.”

Update: Late Monday, Obama campaign spokesman Bill Burton released the following statement

Biden: “I was asked about an ad I’d never seen, reacting merely to press reports. As I said right then, I knew there was nothing intentionally personal in the criticism of Senator McCain’s views which look backwards not forwards and are out of touch with the new economic challenges we face today. Having now reviewed the ad, it is even more clear to me that given the disgraceful tenor of Senator McCain’s ads and their persistent falsehoods, his campaign is in no position to criticize, especially when they continue to distort Barack’s votes on an issue as personal as keeping kids safe from sexual predators.”

I can’t say as I follow his train of thought. Perhaps it derailed in the yard before leaving the station. It proves that coherent thoughts must be in short supply.

To his credit, on at least one ocassion, Biden made his point with a “coherent thought” …

Williams: Senator Biden, words have, in the past, gotten you in trouble, words that were borrowed and words that some found hateful.An editorial in the Los Angeles Times said, “In addition to his uncontrolled verbosity, Biden is a gaff machine.”Can you reassure voters in this country that you would have the discipline you would need on the world stage, Senator?

Biden: Yes.

(Laughter)

Williams: Thank you, Senator Biden.