California Democrats make hay of photo gaffe during McCain's acceptance speech

The Democratic side of the California political blogosphere exploded with delight Friday afternoon as word of an embarrassing gaffe in Sen. John McCain's acceptance speech Thursday at the Republican National Convention spread.

During the Republican nominee's acceptance speech the giant video backdrop behind the Arizona senator was showing colorful photographs of great American places and institutions, including the famed Walter Reed National Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C.

Only the producers of the video made a small mistake. The photograph that came up was indeed of Walter Reed -- only it was an image of the Walter Reed Middle School in North Hollywood -- as in North Hollywood, California.

"Considering the Bush/McCain record of failure in providing our wounded troops the support and treatment they deserve, it's unfortunately not the least bit surprising that they confused Walter Reed Army Medical Center and a middle school more than 2,500 miles away," said Art Torres, chairman of the California Democratic Party.
 
John Heaner, a California Democratic Party officer who also happens to be a parent who sends his kids to the school, said he was taken back by the mistake.

"It's shocking that so many important Republicans can't tell the difference between the hospital where we send our nation's fallen heroes and the junior high where I send my little girls," Heaner said in a press statement.
 
As of 5 p.m. the McCain camp was declining comment on the goof.