We here in the "Joe Bide Gaffe Watch Department" of Glittarazzi are always on the alert when the Vice President gets anywhere near a microphone.

But, sometimes, we have to wonder if what he says actually qualifies as a gaffe or not?

Take, for example, this latest bit: Joe was recently speaking a rally in Iowa when he began to describe the economic situation for some Americans and, well, things got kind of dark.

"My grandpa used to say, from Scranton, he'd say, 'Joe, when the guy in Dunmore ... is out of work, it's an economic slowdown," Joe told the crowd. "When your brother-in-law is out of work, it's a recession. When you're out of work, it's a depression.'

"It's a depression for millions and millions of Americans," he Veep added.

OK. While this may not technically be a gaffe, we're going to count it as misstep because Joe is basically giving a blunt assessment of the economy that agrees with the criticisms leveled against President Obama.

Isn't the VP supposed to be campaigning for POTUS' re-election?! Eventually, Joe hit Mitt Romney for outsourcing jobs, but everyone was still focused on the doom and gloom to really notice.

Jeez, Joe. Lighten up, will you? You're trying to convince people to vote for you again.

What America wants is happy lies!