What Was That, Joe?

Joe Biden says a lot of silly things. This, however, ranks up there. When talking about his ability to beat out 2008 Presidential challengers like Mark Warner (VA) and John Edwards (NC), he said "My State was a slave State too." Uh...what? Now, Biden isn't stupid, exactly. But he has an odd way of getting to his point. I assume that this statement meant he could connect with black voters in the same way that politicians from the South can (if you have a better suggestion of what he was going for, let me know). But, seriously, shouldn't a career politician have a bit more ability to discern what is, and what is not, going to sound completely foolish in public? I've long thought that if Gore had won in 2000, or Kerry in 2004, that Biden might be asked to serve in the Cabinet. But, really, would you want someone with such a tremendous propensity for sticking his foot in his mouth in YOUR cabinet if you were the President?