Romney's Trip Was Filled With Gaffes, But it Could Always be Worse

With Romney returning home after a gaffe riddled tour abroad he might be able to take comfort in the fact that he is only the latest in a long history of American politicians who have manged to embarrass themselves in foreign lands. 

1) Obama gives Queen Elizabeth II an ipod:

Barack Obama met the Queen at Buckingham Palace today and gave her a gift of an iPod loaded with video footage and photographs of her 2007 United States visit to Richmond, Jamestown and Williamsburg in Virginia. In return, the Queen gave the President a silver framed signed photograph of herself and the Duke of Edinburgh – apparently a standard present for visiting dignitaries.

If in doubt, give the Queen a gift that contains footage and photos she already has. 

2) Kennedy calls himself a non-human Berliner:

Nothing quite instills optimism and inspiration than the President of the United States declaring that he is a non-human. Kennedy should have said, "Ich bin Berliner". The added article has given rise to theories about how what Kennedy did say could be interpreted, included the claim that he called himself a pastry.

3) George W. Bush gets touchy with Angela Merkel:

One could say that the only problem with this attempted massage was its timing. Given the current situation in Europe Merkel would almost certainly welcome a similar gesture were it offered now. 

4) George H. Bush pukes on Japanese Prime Minister Miyazawa Kiichi:

It is from this incident that the Japanese supposedly get their phrase "Bushu-suru". It translates strictly as "to do a Bush" (puke). 

5) Queen Elizabeth II gives Geroge W. Bush "a look that only a mother could give a child" after he implies she toured the US in 1776. 

While Romney may well have embarrassed himself, he should take comfort that he is at least in good company. If his most recent trip was supposed to be the dress rehersal, how much worse could the real thing be?