[from the Miami Herald]

Democrat John Kerry has got his Hobbits confused.

Before giving a speech Thursday, Kerry introduced supporter and Lord of the Rings actor Sean Astin, who was sharing the stage with him at a high school in Colton, Calif.

"You all know him as Frodo from Lord of the Wings," Kerry said.

 John Kerry

Astin and several others in the audience immediately corrected Kerry - Astin played Samwise Gamgee, Frodo's faithful sidekick, in the movie trilogy. No one addressed Kerry's pronouncement of the trilogy's title - "Lord of the Rings," not Wings.

"Sam!" Kerry shouted. "What am I saying? I'm sorry! Sam!"

Kerry said he had seen the movie, despite the mix-up.

Published May 7, 2004