Vice President Joe Biden earned ridicule from foes Saturday when he twice referred to the Democratic Virginia Senate candidate by the wrong first name.
Biden began his remarks to an enthusiastic crowd of about 1,500 at the Lynchburg Armory by praising former Gov. Tim Kaine with the correct name but later declared two times that he is "a big Tom Kaine fan."
Kaine is running against Republican George Allen for the seat vacated by Democrat Sen. Jim Webb, who is retiring.
The vice president went on to offer similar compliments for ex-Rep. Tom Perriello, whose first name is Tom.
A Mitt Romney campaign spokesman immediately highlighted the error.
“Vice President Biden forgot the name of his own Virginia Democratic Senate nominee and he wants voters to forget about President Obama’s failed economic policies and lack of a real agenda for a second term," Ryan Williams wrote in a campaign statement.
In Lynchburg, Biden also accused Republicans of hoping for lapses of memory.
"They're counting on the American people to have an overwhelming case of amnesia on November the 6th," he said.
Obama campaign spokesperson Lis Smith also responded.
"Once again, Mitt Romney’s campaign is showing their focus on the big things — like one letter in Tim Kaine's name," Smith said. "If they put as much time and effort into their policies, maybe we'd finally have an answer for how they'd pay for $5 trillion in tax cuts weighted to the very wealthy."
Kaine, the victim of the flub, responded in a tongue-in-cheeck tweet later Saturday.
"Thanks to the VPOTUS for the shout out today. I love Jay Biden!" he joshed via Twitter.
