Charles Gibson came up the big loser in the ABC News Facebook debate last night when he made one of the cardinal sins of journalism: Not knowing what he was talking about when asking a question. Late in the Democratic debate, the anchor tried to query the candidates about tax cuts, and, in a moment worthy of George Bush (the elder) not knowing the cost of a gallon of milk, suggested that a married couple who teach at New Hampshire’s Saint Anselm College would make approximately $200,000 per year. No candidates even had to correct him before the audience started laughing, with an embarrassed Gibson realizing he was projecting his NYC sensibilities on a much different landscape.

Big Head DC has learned that a married couple teaching at the college is much more likely to earn less than $100,000 per year.

Later in the debate, when ribbed about the incident by John Edwards, Gibson had this to say about bringing up college professors: ”I shouldn’t have done that, apparently”

The full transcript of the incident follows:

GIBSON: If you take a family of two professors, here at Saint Anselm, they’re going to be in the $200,000 category that you’re talking about lifting the taxes on.

(STRONG LAUGHTER)

GIBSON: And…

(CROSSTALK)

(LAUGHTER)

CLINTON: That may be NYU, Charlie. I don’t think it’s St. Anselm.

GIBSON: Two public school teachers in New York?

(LAUGHTER)

But that is — you’re in a situation where you’re taking money out of the economy, is what I’m saying.