Oops: Obama Gets Defense Secretary's Name Wrong

The topic was very serious -- national security. But we can't pass up noting that before delivering his much-anticipated speech this morning, President Barack Obama got his Defense secretary's name wrong. Here's how Obama began his remarks:

The Pentagon chief, as the president surely knows, is Robert Gates. This isn't the first such mix-up involving Gates this week. According to the Associated Press, he was introduced at a Pentagon ceremony on Tuesday as "Ronald" Gates.

One William Gates we've heard of, would be that guy from Microsoft.

(Our thanks to Morning Edition's Jim Wildman for the tip.)