‘Embarrassing’: White House botches Dem Senate candidate’s identity -- again

In these Oct. 21, 2014 photos, First lady Michele Obama campaigns for Iowa Democratic Senate candidate Bruce Braley during a rally at the University of Iowa, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP)

The White House botched the identity of a prominent Senate Democratic candidate for a second time this month – in the latest misstep that has party allies griping about the president’s political operation.

One senior Senate Democratic aide was quoted telling the National Journal that “the ineptitude of the White House political operation has sunk from annoying to embarrassing.”

The latest incident surrounds a rally for Iowa Democratic Rep. Bruce Braley, who is in a tight Senate race against Republican Joni Ernst. Earlier this month, first lady Michelle Obama botched his name – repeatedly calling him “Bruce Bailey” at a campaign event. At her second campaign stop for him on Tuesday, she got it right. But the White House transcript … got it wrong.

The transcript sent out after the event identified Braley as the Democratic candidate for governor.

Braley is running for Senate. The White House later sent out a corrected version.

Asked about the error on Wednesday, White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest defended their support of fellow Democrats.

"I think the fact that the first lady was campaigning in Iowa yesterday in support of Congressmen Braley's campaign, and that the vice president is headed there next week says all you need to know about the White House's commitment to the success of Democrats like Mr. Braley," Earnest said.

The goof comes after President Obama earlier this week stressed his ties to embattled Democrats, even those who are avoiding him on the campaign trail.

“This isn't about my feelings being hurt,” Obama said on Al Sharpton’s radio program. “These are folks who are strong allies and supporters of me, and I tell them, ‘you know what, you do what you need to do to win. I will be responsible for making sure our voters turn out.'”

Republicans seized on the remark to again tie Democrats to the president.