Obama’s ‘Horses And Bayonets’ Comment Offends … Bayonet Companies

Among last night’s debate zingers, “horses and bayonets” seems to be the clear winner, a dig from President Obama on Romney’s assessment of the current administration’s military spending plans. Though well-received far and wide, the “bayonets” comment may have unintentionally offended at least one group: bayonet manufacturers.

A follow-up on the remark with several folks in the bayonet industry revealed that they are shocked, appalled, and even offended by President Obama’s comment last night. President Obama’s original quote from last night:

“You mentioned the Navy, for example, and that we have fewer ships than we did in 1916. Well, Governor, we also have fewer horses and bayonets, because the nature of our military’s changed.”

An interesting point to say the least, and one that has gotten positive traction for the POTUS. However, the nature of our military may not have changed as much as President Obama suggested, as the US Marine Corps official website says that every US Marine is still required to complete a bayonet training program, because, “the weapon becomes just as effective [as a rifle] in close combat situations.”

Dan Riker of Bayonet Inc., a leading military surplus outlet that specializes in bayonets, told TMZ that President Obama’s comment was “ignorant … because our soldiers still use bayonets.” He continued, “[Bayonets] are still distributed to the military all the time — he should get educated on it.”

Whether the comment cost President Obama the “bayonet demographic” remains to be seen, but Riker himself says he won’t be stumping for the sitting-POTUS in November. Then again, he admitted “I didn’t vote for him last election either.”

Here’s the video of the “bayonet” comment from last night’s election. What do you think of the bayonet demographic’s response?