Man introduces Biden at rally as McCain

LAND O' LAKES, Fla., Oct. 9 (UPI) -- Introducing Sen. Joe Biden at a Florida campaign rally was a once-in-a-lifetime honor for Jim Piccillo -- except that he called him John McCain.

Piccillo, 34, had gained some fame himself as a disillusioned Republican now volunteering for Florida's Barack Obama presidential campaign.

And when Democratic state campaign officials asked him to introduce Biden at the University of South Florida Sun Dome, Piccillo said he would be honored, The Tampa (Fla.) Tribune reported.

He had to make sure he introduced Biden as "the next vice president of the United States," campaign officials said.

Piccillo did a great introduction -- until he invited the crowd of 4,000 to "Please help me today in welcoming the next vice president of the United States -- John McCain."

Piccillo, of Land O' Lakes, told the newspaper he didn't look at the last page of his speech and his eye caught the words "John McCain."

At first he didn't even realize he made the blunder. But when he was driving home, he heard a disc jockey mention the flub and play it.

Originally, thinking this was a joke, he stopped his car, found his video camera and watched the footage.

"I screamed, 'I can't believe I did that,'" he told the newspaper.

He said he found it ironic this moment was "when I was the most honored and the most embarrassed at the exact same time."