Embarrassing! Joe Biden's claim that Putin is a dictator gets fact-checked ... by the White House?

Embarrassing.

ICYMI, during his big speech last night at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, Vice President Joe Biden said that Russian President Vladimir Putin was a “dictator” embraced by Donald Trump.

Meanwhile… Biden just flat-out called Putin a dictator.

— Cassandra Vinograd (@CassVinograd) July 28, 2016

After calling #Putin a 'dictator,' someone might remind #Biden that what's said at Convention, doesn't stay at Convention!

— Brad Klapper (@bradleyklapper) July 28, 2016

From the transcript, as delivered:

We cannot elect a man, who belittles are closest allies, why embracing dictators like Vladimir Putin. No, I mean that. A man who seeks to sow division in America for his own gain, and disorder around the world. A man who confuses bluster with strength. We simply cannot let that happen as Americans, period.

Except … Putin isn’t a dictator, according to the White House:

Last night Joe Biden called Vladimir Putin a 'dictator.' Now the White House is scrambling to clarify that is NOT an official US stance…

— Heather Long (@byHeatherLong) July 28, 2016

https://twitter.com/DianneG/status/758686736285364224

Biden said in convention speech that Putin is a dictator. That does NOT reflect official admin stance, WH official tells @Kevinliptakcnn

— Manu Raju (@mkraju) July 28, 2016

Oops.

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