Is it just me, or do today’s politicians suffer from a lack of a filter?

In just the past few days, a list of successful, longtime politicians have sputtered out gaffe after gaffe.

Today the Politico is reporting that Senator Majority Leader Harry Reid called New York’s junior senator, Kirsten Gillibrand, the Senate’s “hottest” member. Really, isn’t that a little demeaning to a member of the US Senate? And, shouldn’t someone with Reid’s stature and political resume who is embroiled in the toughest re-election fight of his life know better?

Yesterday, it was a former president’s turn to insert his foot in his mouth. I’m sure you’ve heard about former President Jimmy Carter’s comment to Brian Williams during an interview that aired on NBC Nightly News and throughout the day on MSNBC. In the interview, Carter said, “I feel that my role as a former president is probably superior to that of other presidents.”

Carter later clarified the comment. But should a former president have to issue a new release to correct what he said? Shouldn’t Carter be able to act with a little more decorum and less bravado? He is a former occupant of the White House and a winner of the Nobel Peace Prize. Rarely does someone question Carter’s endeavors as a post president. In fact, he is generally praised for that work including peace keeping efforts and his work created Habitat for Humanity. But, it is so much better for someone else to offer that praise.

Last week it was California’s Democratic gubernatorial candidate who stepped into an unnecessary turf war with former President Bill Clinton. Jerry Brown was trying to diffuse an ad by his Republican opponent that showed Clinton during the 1992 presidential campaign making a comment about Brown’s leadership while he was governor of California. Rather than try and make nice with Clinton, Brown goes after him. In a video posted on Time’s website and then spread across the media including MSNBC, you could hear Brown question Clinton’s truthfulness and he mentions the Monica Lewinsky scandal.

Brown has been known for speaking out of turn at times, but this seemed so politically short-sighted for a former governor, former presidential candidate, former mayor, and current attorney general. He’s been in politics he entire life and he didn’t know how to handle one ad?

Just when you think you’ve seen and heard it all, veteran politicians surprise you. Mistakes like this from a political newbie are one thing. But, it’s a different story when it comes from a senior party leader. Gentlemen, think before you speak!