Richardson's gaffe in the last debate

The video below shows a terrible misspeak on the part of Bill Richardson in the last Democratic debate on LGBT issues, when he said that being gay was a "choice." Here's his attempt at damage control:

After the forum, Richardson’s campaign issued a statement “clarifying” his answer and emphasizing his past support of gay civil rights issues.

“Let me be clear — I do not believe that sexual orientation or gender identity happen by choice,” Richardson said in the statement. “But I’m not a scientist and the point I was trying to make is that no matter how it happens, we are all equal and should be treated that way under the law.”

Richardson has since said he did not understand the question and was tired after flying from New Hampshire to California to participate in the forum.

During an interview with Michelangelo Signorile for a satellite radio show after the forum, Richardson asked that he not be judged by one mistake.

“You can judge me by words — words that I’ve apologized for — that’s fine,” he said. “I just want to be judged by what I’ve done. I’ve been actionable, I’ve delivered for the gay community and if the community, you know, just feels that these stupid words that I said that I apologized for is the basis for judgment, that’s your choice.”

A campaign for national office can end with a slip--ask John Kerry ("stuck in Iraq" ended any presidential ambitions he had for 2008) or George Allen. But for good reason: as President, using the right words is vital. A slip or misstatement or poorly phrased comment can have such a wide impact, such as President Bush's use of the word "crusade."