Members of the White House Press Corps watch from a holding room inside NBC Studios while President Barack Obama appears on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno in Burbank, Calif.
(GERALD HERBERT/AP)Photos (1 of 1)
President Obama makes a Special Olympics joke - staffer apologizes
By Jimmy Orr | 03.19.09
There was plenty of talk about the risks of President Obama appearing on the Tonight Show. One simple mistake could dominate the conversation the next morning.
The last thing President Obama needed was a gaffe.
He made one.
Special Olympics
In a lighthearted conversation, President Obama told Jay Leno that he recently bowled a 129 at the White House bowling alley.
“Very good,” Leno said sarcastically.
“It was like Special Olympics or something,” Obama replied.
Realizing the potential magnitude of the mistake, the White House addressed the president’s remark to reporters aboard Air Force One.
“The President made an offhand remark making fun of his own bowling that was in no way intended to disparage the Special Olympics,” Deputy Press Secretary Bill Burton told reporters. “He thinks that the Special Olympics are a wonderful program that gives an opportunity to shine to people with disabilities from around the world.”
To read more about Obama’s appearance on the Tonight Show, click here.
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2. J | 03.20.09
I love the prez, but he’s not quite up to the level of Special Olympian bowler yet.
Keep practicing sir.
3. Austin | 03.20.09
People really need to get over themselves, here. The man didn’t say anything that 9 out of 10 of us wouldn’t say amongst friends. How many times have you called your brother or sister or friend an off-handed name. Politically correct has gove so far over the edge it’s almost impossible for anyone to publicly say something without offending someone. Let’s get back to the real issues here and stop being so hypersensitive
4. Bill | 03.20.09
Can we have an end to “apologies,” “shock,” “outrage,” and all the other posturings that have so infected our political discourse?
5. Matthew | 03.20.09
I don’t understand. Is bowling even an event at the Special Olympics? And although It’s been a very long time since I have bowled (I don’t like to rent shoes), I think 129 would be a very good score for someone in the Special Olympics.
6. chad | 03.20.09
Even when he says “blame me”, it’s very hard to tell where the apology is in all of it. Accepting responsibility for him means we all should move on.
7. Caroline Miniscule | 03.20.09
>>Where’s the apology? I see the staffer using the ol “He didn’t mean anything by it” excuse (translation: “You know what he meant” *wink, wink*) but I don’t see where he admits Obama erred and actually offers an apology to the Special Olympics.
I think the President was clearly just making fun of his *own* skills and was no way disparaging Special Olympics.
Having said that, it is nice to see that Political Correctness, which helped to get Obama elected in the first place (mustn’t criticize him on *anything* or you’ll be called a racist) is now biting him in the butt.
8. JKT | 03.20.09
I voted for him and still support him, but cannot imagine what he was thinking when he said that. Perhaps we shouldn’t expect any human to be perfect, but still….
9. Davis G. | 03.20.09
The president has my unwavering support. Here we see another tempest in a teapot. The MSM is still focusing on imagined controversy. I get the sense that the President is really focused on major issues that have confronted this nation for decades. It is the short sited neo-con end gamers that look for any gaff - real or imagined and hope to distract the public from the real issues at hand. Why? So they can rewrite history and tell us they didn’t oppose science? That they didn’t fight unjustified wars? That they didn’t tear the economy apart with the Supply Side economics?
I have nothing against the special Olympics. It is a good thing. But the president was elected because of his character and our belief that he is bright and will help this country out of its current mess. So this microscopic comment doesn’t warrant even news coverage.I can hear the GOP now… Obama doesn’t like special needs children….
All distraction. Like the AIG bonuses. Distraction. Mr. President, I see you keeping your eye on the ball. We will do whatever we can to see your agenda through.
10. Kirsten Cherry | 03.20.09
Yes, bowling is a sport in Special Olympics - a very popular one at that. 129 is very good, but many Special Olympics athletes bowl even better!
11. John | 03.20.09
I expect this kind of behavior from a crass comedian but this man? C’mon. The Demos set the bar high when it comes to criticizing, it’s time to reap. Can’t take it, remember it the next time a comment is made.
12. Jon | 03.20.09
One really needs to ask, what planet is Obama on? This reminds me of Fuzzy Zoeller’s joke about Tiger Woods, that they would serve “fried chicken and collard greens” at the next Master’s Banquet. They hung Zoeller out to dry; they ought to do double for Obama. This should finally make it evidently clear that Obama should never speak without a tele-promter. His comments are pathetic for any public servant to say, never mind the president.
15. David G. | 03.20.09
More smoke and mirrors…even the President is a human being and can make a faux pas. Besides…if bowling is in the Special Olympics, I am sure that the participants in the competition are much better bowlers than President Obama…129? That’s sad!
16. Terry | 03.20.09
Obama is about as “Presidential” as a *******. He’s an embarrassment with his little kid in a candy store demeanor… Without his teleprompter he’s a total buffoon…
17. Pete | 03.20.09
If President Bush had said something as disrespectful about handicapped the story would go on for weeks and be the top story on MSNBC AND CNN for a month.
19. Bob | 03.20.09
What a nice easy joke. I sat there and tried to imagine my President bowling running and bowling over like disabled children. I could envision his oft blank stair as his challenged mind tried to focus on the task at hand. Yeah…what a funny joke. I almost laughed myself silly. Thanks for the mental image. Not.
20. JGMN | 03.20.09
It will be interesting to see over the next number of days how this will be handled in the press. Imagine if Rush or President Bush had uttered the same joke…..
21. steph | 03.20.09
today obama proved that he was not ready on day one - still training on the job. and doing a terrible job. the special Olympics remark showed his true colors.
and what happened with the AIG money - used it for bonuses what a terrible move
22. Wendy Murdoch | 03.20.09
The second I heard the President make the Special Olympic comment, I knew that the media and public would be all over him. Nothing else he said will have any value and importance. How sad we all are. How lost we all are. He brings such a strong sense of humanity and genuiness to the Presidency. How blessed we all are to have him there fighting for each and everyone of us. David G. I love what you said and I wholeheartedly agree…Mr. President “we will do whatever we can to see your agenda through”, and we won’t allow ourselves to be sidetracked by petty mindedness.
23. Bob | 03.20.09
I think the comment was a blow to his reputation! The next election he will not be getting my vote again.
24. Francis Bacon | 03.20.09
He’s an insensitive dumb bell like GW. He is the equivalent. Posited, endorsed and hurled into premature resumeless nomination by the Democrat boys club and the super thugs.
He is as incompetent and NOW WE KNOW insensitive as BUSH.
GW in Dem Drag.
This statement was the EPITOME OF INSENSITIVE ARROGANCE. YES. GW IN DEMOCRAT.
25. Ann | 03.20.09
I hated Bush but imagine if it were he who made a gaff like that, the Hollywooders and the dem press would have a field day!!
27. Hemi | 03.20.09
I guess we’ll never hear the end of this one. Obama was poking fun of himself, not handicapped people.
28. Matthew | 03.20.09
I’ve researched this. Yes, bowling is an event at the Special Olympics. And there is a bowling alley at the White House. So why didn’t he just bowl at the White House instead of going to the Special Olympics and taking the time and glory way from those kids?
29. Jason | 03.20.09
Remark to Austin’s comment:
The problem here is that by appearing on the Jay Leno show, the president is addressing the entire country. Hence, he needs to be mindful about what he says. We all have things we would share with our close friends/family but not in general setting. The “special olympics” comment is definitely one that should not have been said out in public. Period.
30. larry T | 03.20.09
why so sensitive on everything Mr. President said? Just because he’s president of United State, people likes to pick on him so that they can have a whole day to talk, blah! blah! blah! Mr. Prez didn’t have always think twice before talk ….in a talk show, which most people think nothing but entertainment. no big deal! relax! people. Let me enjoy being in the show and being out of stress. stop criticizing and live happy…oh by the way… on greedy too.
31. ThinkAboutIt | 03.20.09
What some people think and then actually post fits the following perfectly.
Arguing on the internet is like winning at the Special Olympics…..
Even if you win your still retarded!!
When dealing with a wise cracker like Leno expecting a Special Olympics crack about a mediocre bowling score doesn’t exactly require psychic abilities. Then again neither does the pathetic outrage it caused.
32. Donna | 03.20.09
Okay, I agree, he definitely should NOT have said what he did. And, I also agree that I think it is poetic justice for we Republicans to see the media now beginning to grow weary of supporting his every move with adulation! He is beginning to see that not everyone loves him, and not everyone thinks he can do no wrong!
33. terry petrez | 03.20.09
Aw shucks, the people who invented political correctness get their collective ***** burned by a momentary lapse of…… judgement? And one made by the supreme democratic commander, no less!
I thought this guy was supposed to be the master speaker, the careful crafter of the English lanquage. Can’t imagine the volcanic uproar if a similar remark were made by a McCain or George W. The shrill cries of the sensitive, ever-caring, defendrs of the downcast, Democratic left wingers. Good Gawd, it would be awful, would it not?
But hey, it’s all cool, lets just remeber the mantra of the American peoples workers party - “do as we say, not as we do”
34. Tom | 03.20.09
I thought of a better joke. Substitute Presidency where Bowling is mentioned and 2 where he mentions his score. I’ll illustrate. “My presidency is like the Special Olympics. I scored a 2.”
The SNL crew are liars when they say this guy isn’t full of funny stuff to use. He’s got LOADS!
35. Shapiro | 03.20.09
Like it or not, the words of a president carry more weight than those of everyday people. This time he said an insensitive remark on Jay Leno. No harm done? Really?
What if next time he insults a world leader during an issues summit. You have to think before you speak.
At every president’s moment of truth, there is no teleprompter to bail them out.
36. Jeff | 03.20.09
A misstep? Sure. A major deal? Probably not. If it was Bush that said the same exact thing? National outcry. I mean, am I wrong?
37. Julian | 03.20.09
The desperation is oozing out of GOP extremists every orifice. In chorus they blurt out what they hear from their leading baboon, limbow, teleprinter…teleprinter…teleprinter. What bankruptcy!
38. soccer mama | 03.20.09
Oh, please! I am a special needs parent. Yep, my kid plays in the special Olympics. And I wasn’t at all insulted…the President was clearly making fun of himself. There are some hard core realities here. The realities are that physcially or mentally impaired folks generally cannot bowl a 300 game. Obama didn’t mean to disparage anyone and the White House promptly stated so for the record. If I can accept that, you ought to as well. And yes, I concede that if Bush did it, they’d be all over him, too. And I would say the exact same things, as much as I may have disliked him as a politician. Sometimes, common sense just has to take over the PC nonsense we have allowed ourselves to accept.
Guys, we need to stop looking for reasons to attack each other and start pulling together. We are in serious trouble. Our communities, kids, and country need us to get with the danged program and stop pointing fingers. Give the guy a break. You’d want the same treatment.
39. BOMBOM | 03.20.09
I agree with Matthew (Post 5), 129 seems like a really good score for the Special Olympics. But is Obama saying he uses those retarded bumpers, I would assume thats the only way the “specials” could get a 129 anyway.
42. Don | 03.20.09
Mr. Teleprompter wants to act like he is just one of the boys. He is not. He is supposed to be the leader of the free world. He is on the world’s tallest pedestal. He has to act like it, 100 % of the time. He is not up to the job.
He gives a wonderful speech, but he is surrounded with incompetence, and guess what, he is incompetent. Real Presidents don’t go on late night talk shows. This is why. This opens him and our country to ridicule. One term and gone,,,,,,,,,,,
43. Kevin | 03.20.09
I do not think that President Obama’s comment was meant to disparage handicapped people. That being said, at the very least this was very poor judgement and at the most it is further evidence that he is completely out of touch with reality. This man continues to demonstrate that he is not remotely qualified to be the President of the United States. Going on Leno in the first place was not Presidential at all. Between this and having time to fill out his NCAA brackets, is this guy getting any work done at all? He seems to enjoy the title of President, but is not willing to do the actual work. God save us from Pres/King Obama.
44. George | 03.20.09
Come on, people. Anybody with any kind of sense of humor occasionally utters a similar joke. I’ve made that very joke, not out of any kind of sneering disrespect, but just out of a sort of left-over juvenile insensitivity that sometimes oozes out amongst casual company. Yeah, it sucks, and it’s embarrassing, but it’s hardly a serious character flaw or a judgment issue. It’s human nature. It really is “just one of those things.” He probably feels terrible about it. And now you folks that call him a “clown” are all over this comment like flies all over you-know-what.
Seriously.
Get over your little vendettas, and be patient. I’m sure he will answer the criticism at a reasonable hour.
Get some sleep.
45. Reality | 03.20.09
He is an embarassment to the President position. What a disgrace. We have just begun? What will be next? OBAMA One Big Mistake America!
46. Tizlend | 03.20.09
If GW would of said something like that, half of the people would laugh because it was a joke and the other half would jump on him. The only reason why people would talk bad is because they can not find any real chink in his armor. Obama (BO) is not perfect, he was on a comedy late night show, I forgot he is not allowed to let his hair down.
47. Hemi | 03.20.09
Good God, get over yourselves already. You just have to twist this into something it’s not. If Obama said he bowls about as good as a handicapped person, would you be saying he making fun of them? Not to mention he’s not the kind of person to make fun of anybody anyway.
48. BRR | 03.20.09
A sad mistake for sure. He should apologize personally but I appreciate his taking the risk, even if he muffed it.
49. John Paul | 03.20.09
If a Republican made that remark, they would be on Kieth Oberman’s “Worst Person In The World” segment.
Wake up Obamabot’s, your prez is a loser. He is good at saying one thing while he does another & never letting a good crisis go to waste.
50. Dallas Guy | 03.20.09
Oh please - it was a mistake. It was unfortunate, however, that it was in as public a venue as the Tonight Show.
After tolerating the eight years of silly, nonsensical, often antisocial frothing from Bush, I’ll give Obama the benefit of the doubt that it was just a mistake and not intended in some derogatory or mean-spirited way, and cut him some slack.
Mark my words - in the end, the ultimate unintended effect will be that the Special Olympics will get tremendous positive PR exposure for which they would have had to spend millions. And I wouldn’t be surprised if it didn’t include public support from an articulate and graciously apologetic Barack Obama himself.
51. concerned american | 03.20.09
president obama, his wife michele and his daughters should immediately stop this disgraceful and shameful discussion about a dog to get for the white house. just get the dog and never discuss it at press conference nor on 60 minutes or on the media ever again. it reflects their mental focus on something that is not dignified for a president nor his family. if this president ever hopes to get my support and vote for re-election the disgraceful public discussion of a dog as a pet should stop immediately for his entire term of office.
52. margie | 03.20.09
Ahh - the teleprompter - Like the SF comment about people clinging too their guns. When he doesn’t have the teleprompter, he is likely to “misspeak”. Knowing his position on abortion, I take it as a disparaging remark, and an indication of his true feelings.
His returning the gift England had given the US after 9/11 just embarrassed this country that I lost a lot of disrespect for him. Now I just see him as a petulant child. This quip just furthers that assessment.
53. James Raider | 03.20.09
While he bowls in the White House basement, A SPECIAL PROSECUTOR SHOULD BE APPOINTED
A.I.G. has long been a national embarrassment.
http://pacificgatepost.blogspot.com/2009/03/aig-national-embarrassment.html
A Special Prosecutor should be assigned and given wide berth to hunt down the malfeasance.
54. Reality | 03.20.09
Dallas Guy…Really?
I’m glad all you Obama voters are taking up for him. GET USED TO IT! Without His TELEPROMPTER It will happen very often it looks like? What a shame to have to say “the ultimate unintended effect will be that the Special Olympics will get tremendous positive PR exposure for which they would have had to spend millions” HE is our president? What a SHAME!!
55. Jennifer | 03.20.09
Soccer mama, I appreciate your point of view, but as another parent of a child with special needs, I took great issue with his comment. It’s little comments like these(and especially to be made by the leader of our nation on arguably one of the most far-reaching forums **** ever get) that add up and fester into our society like an odorless, colorless gas which, while transparent, can still be harmful. Why is it still okay to make fun of the mentally and physically challenged members of our society? This wasn’t some frat party, this was on national television!
56. Hemi | 03.20.09
Reality | 03.20.09
He is an embarrassment to the President position. What a disgrace. We have just begun? What will be next? OBAMA One Big Mistake America!
====================
I’ll bet you didn’t say Bush and his crony’s were a disgrace when they torturing innocent people to death. God forbid Obama should make fun of himself. Some standards you got there.
57. Cartman | 03.20.09
It’s remarkable how many people rush to 0bama’s defense when he utters such an insensitive remark trying to get a laugh (I didn’t hear anyone laughing either). I’m sure the media will explain it neatly.. perhaps it was our young healthy President being too “tired” or something of that nature.
This supposedly smart and articulate man is starting to appear rather foolish and not so smart. I can’t even imagine the thought process behind making a joke that involves the Special Olympics as the President of the USA.
59. Brandon | 03.20.09
My cousin has down syndrome and I’ve watched him compete in the Utah Special Olympics multiple times and it’s something he takes pride in and he takes it very seriously. Man my uncle is going to go nuts when he hears Obama’s comments.
And to all the Obama worshipers who think it’s not disrespectful and just a joke, look at it from this point of view. Many of you take race EXTREMELY personal and if someone was to say a joke with your RACE as a punch line you would cry racism and go nuts with anger.
For people with disabilities it is EQUALLY as important to them as you are with your race and they find it extremely offensive when people make jokes about it.
60. Alex | 03.20.09
What really makes me laugh at all of this, is how many of you are claiming “He is a human too, he makes mistakes”. I would hope that everyone taking this stance is a Dem who NEVER took a stab at President Bush when he erred in his speaking.
The President just opened an entirely new can of worms tonight, folks. I’m interested to see how this plays out…
61. SpedMama | 03.20.09
This is pathetic for the leader of the United States of America. He meant every word he said when he said it, and in exactly the way it was perceived. After all, HE’S above those “lesser” citizens who are somehow poor and/or imperfect. Obama is a boor and he proves it every time Mr. Teleprompter doesn’t tell him what to say. And if Mr. Teleprompter tells him to thank himself for his own party, he does! Too bad he couldn’t realize that he was reading someone else’s part!
62. whatcomesnext | 03.20.09
That was stunning. Yeah, sure, we’ve all heard or made similar remarks while talking to co-workers or getting drunk in some bar, but that was pure Paris Hilton. Feeling all good about yourself, believing you can say no wrong.
63. Steve Fisher | 03.20.09
How much did it cost the American people to fly, secure, etc Obama to the Tonight Show? Curious w/the recession and all
64. Terrific Tammy | 03.20.09
Give the guy a break.
It was a light hearted comment. There is no one that thought he intended to disparage the special olympics. His intention was very clear.
Bravo to him for making himself vulnerable and showing up without TelePrompTers and advisors to issue statements and to write scripts for him.
65. michael wingate | 03.20.09
wow this is really sad an in sensitive, if Bush said this, you would all be asking for his impeachment, this is just the beginning of the end to this worthless leader, I cannot believe all the Obama lovers at their tht are so blinded and in love with him, and think this remark is even acceptable, it is a disgrace to this country and is a true reflection of Obamas character
66. sweetnfoxy | 03.20.09
If you watched & listened carefully, you’d notice that obama wasn’t saying he bowls as bad as a handicapped person — he was reacting to Jay’s faux-gratuituous (not “sarcastic”) congratulations. Obama’s joke was that Jay’s fake fawning reminded him of overpraise heaped on “lesser” atheletes, I.e. The disabled. And that’s what makes it a nasty slam. And, no, not “everbody privately makes jokes like that.” That’s just what jerks always think… Lame!
67. Steve | 03.20.09
Yes, it was not in good taste. Yes, I am sure that he regrets it.
I think an even more important lesson here is… We all need to quit looking for reasons to be offended.
The real question we should all be asking is why did he skate the question about the 90% tax on the AIG bonuses.
68. MrUniteUs | 03.20.09
Obama was a making self depricating joke about his bowling.
It’s not like say Limbaugh joking about Michael Fox’s Parkinson disease,
It’s not say like Bush making joking about Weapons of Mass Destruction after thousands of Americans and Iraqis were killed.
69. westcoast | 03.20.09
First of all, why does a sitting US president go on a vacuous, irreverent television talk show? …to appear folksy? …to win the hearts of the people? …ego?
Then…to use the Special Olympics as a derogatory metaphor for his physical ineptness…it’s just too crass, and an embarrassment to this nation. This is on the level of George Bush.
Fellow citizens, can we elect a truly worthy leader who is not a puppet of his party and/or corporate contributors?
70. Ashamed Contributor | 03.20.09
The non-apologies by all the cruel Obama-blind supporters on this page are as tragic as the President of the United States mocking special needs children for a laugh. He did it for a LAUGH. Think about that. Its not overly “PC” to criticize that disgusting behavior. Its human kindness.
Anyone saying “lighten up” on this has lost perspective on human compassion and is blinded by partisan politics.
I gave $2,300 to Senator Obama early on, pre-Iowa. That is not a plant, or fake. The honest truth.
I am ashamed and anyone who isn’t is sickeningly political.
Have some compassion. The most powerful among us just mocked those who most need our love.
Tragic.
71. Mike | 03.20.09
58 days he’s grey?? He Wrote a book? He has done several comercials, He wants a Dog because hes bored?
He’s late for work and he fly’s to CA to be on Leno so he can get his popularity up above 60 He could care less about this country Hes just in a big popularity contest.He makes fun of special olympic’s kids who by the way are important! shame on you Obama. He makes fun of airforce one like its beneath him whats is that nonsense? If he keeps canceling thing’s like the INS guys can’t uphold the law now and theres no such thing as a terrorists now im starting to feel like a fish in a barrel. The terrorists are gonna use us for target practice. I was sick when I saw the flag on election night a kid was holding at the white house it was the red flag with the hammer and sickle I was sickened and ashamed. one more thing all the senators screaming at AIG for them to give us our money back? how about paying your taxes.
73. Brian | 03.20.09
Yikes! That could have gone better. This is like an episode of curb your enthusiasm… total Larry David moment. I feel kind of bad for him, it’s gotta be a sick feeling knowing something intended to be an innocent jab at yourself came out twisted and now thousands of people are flooding the web with their input. News anchors are ready to pounce, maybe before you jump all over him for this little slip up maybe look back at some of your more embarrassing moments. If he was as much of a robot as many of you are trying to suggest this never would have happened. I just wish Chuck had said it on TNT instead, the joke probably would have been a smashing success!
But what do I know, I’m Canadian. And watching a Candaian contribute to an American political discussion is like watching the Special Olympics.
74. neil | 03.20.09
come on people! the last guy attacked another country and killed thousands! some immature banter is a relief! wake up!
75. Jonny | 03.20.09
Real people don’t care about these kinds of “gaffes” because this is the kind of thing real people say every day. Be thankful we finally have someone in Washington who doesn’t put a finger to the wind before he opens his mouth. Hopefully a little of that Biden charm is starting to rub off on old Obama!
76. steve | 03.20.09
Amazing how many seem not to understand the nature of Obama’s offense–he was not only contemptuously dismissive of an entire group of human beings, but blithely unaware of it. What’s worse is that President Clueless and his handlers used a variant of the “Get over it!” defense when his targets are both keenly acquainted with such maltreatment and often ill-equipped to deal with such outrage. (I’ll betcha that MSNBC’s misanthropic Keith Olbermann will NOT make Our Great Leader today’s “Worst Person in the World,” thereby keeping his good standing as a lackspittle.) Keep in mind, guys, that this is who the Man is when he lets his hair down–*Nixon, with a soupcon of sociopathic self-regard.
77. john | 03.20.09
Check out the video!
Olberman: What do “WE”…uh…what does he do to cover this?”
More proof that the media is willing to do whatever it takes to prop up Obama’s image regardless of his mistakes and obvious ineptitude.
78. Benjamin | 03.20.09
I’m seeing this forum divided about 50/50 by an apparent moral issue. However, Obama’s ratings of success will be almost solely determined by practical issues, not issues of PC.
If he can get the economy going again, then all his detractors will be more than happy to eat crow– because they’ll be prospering again. If, on the other hand, he can’t pull America out of the fire, then the whole world is going to be in pain for potentially a long time, not just American rebuplicans and democrats.
Anyone who glorifies in seeing Obama brought down, for any reason, is a fool– we’d all better hope, for our sake and our children’s, that he can get the job done. Because right now, the world is a pretty scary place to live.
79. Pat | 03.20.09
Sarah Palin would have never made such an obviously disparaging remark about Special Needs youngsters. The only joke here is Obama and his unrelenting arrogance. If Bush or Cheney had made such a remark, it would have been headline news!
80. liz | 03.20.09
As a teacher of special education students, I feel the Presidents comments are thoughtless and hurtful. Yes, people might make jokes between their friends in the same tastless manner the president has, but bottom line he is the leader of our country, he needs to watch what he says. I think we need to come down on him so this man does not feel he can say whatever he likes. If President Bush had made this comment people would have made a huge deal of it….we need to do the same with President Obama.
81. Njeri | 03.20.09
Why do people expect a president to be some sort of ‘demi-god’ who isn’t supposed to joke or err?If an actor would have made same comment,would there be the same sort of fuss?We need to focus on more relevant issues. The apology has been given,move on!!
82. VickiFromGeorgia | 03.20.09
More evidence to vindicate my view that our president should have experience. He wasn’s smart enough to know that the sitting president of the greatest superpower in the world had no business appearing on late night comedic television. Just one more in a long string of poor judgement calls.
83. Lemiap | 03.20.09
Ok…so I do not have time to read EVERYONE’s responses above…So I opolgize if this is a replicate.
The people elected this JOKE because the media would not cover Obama for the real person he is…ana aorgant ***. Now, maybe, if he keeps making these poor judgement calls, we will all see what we are in for.
As for the second or third comment about how we ALL say these things in private. Well, you may be right, but we are in private. And certainly, if I had a friend or two over that had a special needs child, we would use discretion in the conversation so as not to offend our company.
84. Gerard | 03.20.09
Oh, we must not demonize the president over this slip on Leno. If it were Bush, another story. As Dolberman remarked, “what do we do, I mean they do. Just continue to hail Lord Obama!
85. Ben | 03.20.09
Personally,I thought the comment was hilarious. Can you imagine the outrage by the public and the media if President Bush had made such a comment? I doubt there would have been many “we should just move on” comments on MSNBC or CNN if it had been Bush and not Obama. Regarding the comment “Anyone who glorifies in seeing Obama brought down, for any reason, is a fool– we’d all better hope, for our sake and our children’s, that he can get the job done. Because right now, the world is a pretty scary place to live.” I thought the world was a pretty scary place to live on September 12, 2001. Thanks to George W. Bush, I no longer feel afraid. It’s funny though…I bet you were hoping for any event to bring down George W. Bush. It goes both ways pal…..
86. Geo | 03.20.09
“One simple mistake could dominate the conversation the next morning.”
That’s because of the media, and this article is a prime example of that.
88. Robert | 03.20.09
Let all those who never made a “short bus” or “retard” joke throw the first stones. Everyone else, shut up, please, and focus on what gets accomplished or does not under the new administration.
89. Kathy | 03.20.09
The problem isn’t so much what he said but the fact that he was clueless enough to say it. It’s the Left that pushes the PC agenda so when a leftist makes a remark like his, of course there will be a reaction from his detractors. That, coupled with the fact the Left went after Bush with both barrels for many years, will result in a backlash each time Obama makes a mistake. Those on the Left are getting a dose of their own medicine and will have to deal with it as it has only begun with this president.
90. Eric Smith | 03.20.09
Political Correct-ness is inarguably stupid.
Just let the special olympic kids make a joke about him on tv or something; that apology seels very cheesy.
91. TrueHeart | 03.20.09
That was no apology. Obama blew it with that one and they are trying to cover it up.
93. marie | 03.20.09
He is an embarrassment. Obama needs to go home, lock himself in the oval office, take a few ritalin and FOCUS on fixing the mess that he has made WORSE with all of his manic behavior. Sit down and do your friggin job, sir.
It was a BAD IDEA. He cannot speak without following verbatim a teleprompter. We all know that and surely he knows that. No wonder he won’t ever do “Meet the Press”. He is becoming a liability.
94. expat | 03.20.09
Ha ha a bunch of liberals whining about political correctness. The shoe is on the other foot now, eh?
95. Sabbatai | 03.20.09
If Bush had said it…yep we’d be all over him… and we aren’t “all over” Obama for this? What is it you are all discussing then? Something else?
You go on about him not being ready for the job because of this… because he has to be ready to speak for America 100% of the time? So I guess all those Bush-isms late into his second term or at any period during his presidency must’ve meant Bush wasn’t ready either?
I mean we are dealing with the breast and the brightest OBGYN’s that can’t practice their love with women who want to coexist peacefully with the fish!
Give me a break people. Like JFK never “slipped”, like Lincoln never “gaffed”.
Give me a break, aren’t there more important issues even within Obama’s presidency to talk about?
96. Maria | 03.20.09
I skimmed the comments here and saw (as expected) comments about people being overly sensitive about his remark. I’ve always been a big Obama supporter but it doesn’t lessen my disgust at what he said. Yes, it is the kind of offhand remark people make in private when they are joking around - but he wasn’t in private and he isn’t just your average person. My 38 year old daughter who has Down’s Sydrome was watching the Leno program with me. She asked me if he was making fun of the Special Olympics and I said no, but I don’t think she bought it. Sure, you can say “get over it”, but having spent 38 years hearing and seeing people mock, insult and belittle my child, I don’t want to get over it - I want people to show respect for the disabled!! Especially the President of the US in a public forum.
97. tex norman | 03.20.09
Here is proof that a wonderful guy is not perfect. Under the microscope none of us look good. He does better than average all the time, and I want us to focus on his efforts to help us, not on some verbal step in the ***.
98. Royster | 03.20.09
You people need to get your collective heads out of your butts. Geez. after this election, I have never seen Republicans so butt-hurt about the whole thing…and that’s what this really is about…the man was poking fun at himself..there is no apology necessary…The neo-nazi political correctness brigade looking to slam bang the democrat that American voted for ANY WAY THEY CAN…people like you political correctness junkies make me ashamed
101. rssjr | 03.20.09
Can Anyone Imagine the UPROAR over this if Mr. BUSH had said this????
MSN does not mention it. Nobody does except FOX. It is like it never even happened ! !
King Obama….he can do no wrong….
Can anyone remember history? How about Germany …. circa 1939?
102. Casual Commentator | 03.20.09
Why are people making such a big PC deal about this? He meant no offense and he apologized if it was seen as such.
At least the man can pronounce Nuclear.
NEXT
103. Joe | 03.20.09
Wow, the fact that people actually care about this is retarded. Political correctness has gone to far and people are to easily offended. Suck it up. I say things like that everyday, along with everybody else I know. The Prez was one of us not that long ago, only thing that changed was his Job Title. Get over it, everybody needs to stop being such babies about things other people say. The world was much better when political correctness was not a factor. So what he made a reference to the Special Olympics, he was making fun of himself. Where is that statement even remotely offensive. I have family who competes in the Special Olympics and I could care less. Everyday people make fun of the retarded and less fortunate, this is no different.
104. Hannah | 03.20.09
Obama is in over his head. Bright guy but….shoulda’ stayed with “community organizing.”
106. Rich | 03.20.09
Amazing. American people, when you claim to take “responsibility” for something, it requires you to take action to rectify the issue - but our current politicians seem to believe that by saying “they’re responsible”, something happens, and we have no right to expect them to actually do the work to rectify the situation. This is another example. Everyone here knows exactly what President Obama meant from the statement. It was a disparaging statement towards mentally challenged athletes. It is a comment that millions of Americans make everyday. However, he is the President of the United States. He sets an example for everyone. His response to this should be to work with the Special Olympics, and other groups assisting mentally challenged groups, and show the country how to truly apologize. It is obvious he needs to learn more about these individuals - and he needs to show everyone that these comments have no place in public discourse. There is NO excuse for his comment. Everyone needs to set a standard for our public officials - republican or democrat - and stop biasing their views with partisan eyeglasses. Just think about how the parents of mentally challenged children, the great people who work everyday with learning disabled children, those who are less fortunate and have disabilities or the people at the Special Olympics feel today. With one comment he hurt them.
107. Bob | 03.20.09
I see “teleprompter” is the new right-wing talking point. Does no one recall the debates, where Obama trounced McCain each time, without a teleprompter? Keep sticking to the talking points, fellas, remember how it worked with every other successful deception Bush pulled off. As he said, you have to kind of “catapult the propaganda”
108. Jake | 03.20.09
A president that has a sense of humor fit for the modern public… I thought the comment was awesome. You’re all just too **** retentive to get it.
109. ekoj | 03.20.09
Anyone who is that Politically Correct needs to chill out, PC **** has all gone too far and too many people take things way too seriously, people that are honestly offended by his remark should lock their doors and windows and get rid of their TVs and internet and stop all magazine and newspaper subscriptions and live life in their own little worlds.
Get over it!
Freedom of speech without PC.
110. Royster | 03.20.09
expat - I’ll say the same thing to you the most republicans said to me the last 2 terms when GW was elected. THATS OUR PRESIDENT…like it or not…he was elected by the American people..and as an American…you should try to support this president…or maybe move somewhere else if you don’t like it…like France…
111. dave | 03.20.09
well i’m going to pretend i’m very offended and scoff at his remarks, i want to be offended and insulted cause i have no life and am a loser, how dare he, what was he thinking, impeach him. you people make me sick , you brewed of hypocrites. Let he who is without sin cast the first stone
113. cajunjb1 | 03.20.09
I dont like the man, but cmon it was a joke. What about the guy in charge of the financial bailouts that didnt pay his taxes? Laugh at that, now that is a real joke.
115. Jeff Johnston | 03.20.09
The man is as presidential as a mule.
He is an utter embarrassment to me and this country. He ought to have stayed on the streets of Chicago and remained a clown there.
God help us.
116. Rhapsody Fire | 03.20.09
The sad thing is that it can be effectively argued that Obama is still much better of a bowler than he is as President.
117. Hank | 03.20.09
I don’t care what context he said it in, he was on National TV as the leader of the free world and albeit a “harmless” jab at a general society of unfortunate people, it is not like talking to a brother, sister or friends.
He proved what happens when his Teleprompter isnt around.
119. RDizzle | 03.20.09
He is a real human being and we should be happy that we have a president who can think on his feet and think fast enough to make fun of himself. Unfortunately for the Special Olympics, the program no longer has an active participant in the White House.
120. Randy T | 03.20.09
Be thankful that every word you utter isn’t scrutinized in this manner. I don’t even like our socialist President and I pity the guy as he’s realizing the insanity of the job he’s won.
121. CHK | 03.20.09
I think Mr Obama’s machine must have a hit squad that pounces on every web discussion to elevate him above reproach. It is most remarkable that objections to the other party’s members were not jumped upon at every turn. The double standard is what his so striking.
Mr Obama has flaws. There will be more made obvious over time which most of us have not yet observed since he was and is still a relative unknown. He should be treated as any other President has been treated. If the American people think the treatment of Mr Bush was appropriate why should Mr Obama’s mistakes go without note? His comment was totally out of line and I am sure many American’s took offense. Mr Obama should admit what he really did and probalby should stay off of late night TV.
122. lunartick | 03.20.09
Maybe it is just the analogy and the humor which the president finds with his bowling and the special Olympics. Could it be that he sees special needs and special ed as something funny like his bowling? The guy needs to stick to his teleprompter since he reads so well. If this anything out of context like his meaning of “distributing the wealth”, it sure was not funny.
123. lets keep it real | 03.20.09
What Obama said about the economy is far more important than what this thread is discussing. Putting the country back into a production mode by investing in ourselves will save us. The enemies of America know this and miss no opportunity to bring Obama down.
124. John | 03.20.09
Obama has been ruthless disparaging people in the past for offhand comments. eg. Don Imus’s stupid comment about the connecticut womens basketball team which with the help of Obama and Rev Al cost him his job. Yet when the shoe is on the other foot and he makes an equally stupid comment we are supposed to laugh it off as ‘he didnt mean anything by it’. Huge double standards here but his supporters are complete apologists for him and it doesnt matter what he says apparently, they will continue to make excuses.
125. Hahaha | 03.20.09
Of course he needs to apologize to the Special Olympics…they make up 100% of his voters…
126. Adam | 03.20.09
Wow, sure seems like a lot of butthurt right-wing sock puppets like to troll EVERY piece of Obama news. Seriously, you guys belong on 4chan.
This is a non-news story. At least we have a president who isn’t secreted away from the American people because he is a buffoon. I’m willing to bet that Obama has already spoken to the people more than Bush did during both terms.
127. Jabroni | 03.20.09
Hoisted on his own retard! Err make that Pitard.
How would the world have reacted if Bush had said something like… “Michelle Obama, she’s like your typical black woman”! Oh wait didn’t Barry refer to his grandmother as a “typical white woman”?
I guess Barry believes that retards and white women are never not funny.
128. Rich | 03.20.09
Hey Royster (#98) - why don’t you read Maria (#96). You make me, an American, ashamed. You are the one with your head in your butt. Lets hope you are never disabled and have to understand what its like to find your way through life. This issue is not about a party. Its about a ridiculously callous comment made by the President of the United States. Imagine how every Special Olympics winner feels today - he diminished their successes. Oh, and I am sure these athletes can kick your butt in any sporting event. Maybe you should have listened to your friends and moved to France.
129. guy mcdonald | 03.20.09
I think the most telling part of this whole Keith Olbermann interview re: the SO gaffe is that he asks, and then quickly corrects himself, “What do ‘we’ do, er, what does ‘he’ do about that?” Mr. Olbermann is bought and paid for by radical, crazy Dems who think it is his journalistic duty to ‘do’ for the President of the US. jeez louise…
130. notabobo | 03.20.09
I think this slip is indicative of the President playing things just a little too fast and loose. All this grass roots traveling and the public, preacher-like forums remind me more of a campaign than a Presidency as well. It is what he has always done and is comfortable doing but public opinion isn’t what is going to get us out of all this mess, the irony now is this gaff. An appearance by a sitting President on a late night comedy/variety show is amazing to me, even though it wasn’t half bad from a warm and fuzzy perspective. Meanwhile Congress is back at home being their most outrageous and incompetent. It is scary. Being liked is nice but doing a good job is even better. We know Obama is likable, now we have to know he is capable. Go home Mr. President and please stop listening to the juvenile advice of Emanuel.
131. Kenton | 03.20.09
My son is multiply handicapped, and I have absolutely no problem with a light off hand remark that was funny and in no way intended to disparage handicapped people. Get off your high horse people.
132. Doug | 03.20.09
Yes, it proved what happens when there’s no teleprompter around: he says things most people would say. Difference is, this president is articulate, literate, and grew up in the real world rather than in the world of the rich, pedigreed, and privileged. He wasn’t a “C” student on a legacy appointment to Yale, he earned his place into an ivy league school, and he made something of himself. God help us if he remains a flawed human being, and thank heavens none of his critics make gaffes.
133. digitalzombie | 03.20.09
Damn relax, I love to hear opposing views on Obama but this issue is dumb. Move on to other important issues similar AIG or Tax evasion. While those issues aren’t important as other pressing issue at least there’s substance to them. This self righteous political correctness and hyper sensitivity is blinding us from other important stuff.
134. WTF | 03.20.09
people need to chill. what a bunch of hypocrits. the people who are most offended by the comments probably have the most to hide about themselves. special olympics is a pc term. how else you want him to say it. retarded dumb, down syndrome athletes?
135. Logo designer | 03.20.09
Bad form Mr. President!
And by the way, my lil sister is a special athlete and she regularly beats this score.
136. Aoife | 03.20.09
America. Get Over Yourselves. You are all so serious its hilarious to the rest of us. It was a comment that was taken too seriously. i am a female and it does not offend me when men joke that they are better drivers than me etc.. because it is meant in humour not to offend.
just on the 17th the Simspsons creaters released yet another episode portraying the Irish as Drunken idiots.. Am i offended? NO. it was cheap humour.
Ireland.
138. Adam | 03.20.09
All of you complaining about his joke must be the unemployed who have nothing better to do. It was a freakin joke. Get over it. People like you that makes this world so sensitive and ****** now.
139. softball mom | 03.20.09
OMG! Your not hanging out with buddies, your the President of the United States and you are ON NATIONAL TELEVISION! If he was hanging out with a buddy that participated in the Special Olympics, he wouldn’t have said such a thing. And I am sure, out of the entire country, more than one Special Olympics participant was watching. Wonder how they felt? But, I guess someone who isn’t that PROUD of their country, wouldn’t have a lot of compassion for the people of that country either. Shame on you.
140. Tom | 03.20.09
For all of you defending Obama on this one, to put into context for you, what if he said “I bowled a 129, it was like I was mentally or physically defective or something”.
The comment is as offensive as if Jay Leno made a joke about about beating women and then said “it was like I was a black man or something”.
It is offensive, but since the target of the offense can’t or won’t defend themselves, people are apt to blow it off.
I think this comment shows exactly what kind of man Obama really is without his speech writers. If you think that makes him just a normal guy, everyone is entitled to thier opinion. On a good note, this makes the special olympics eligible for bailout money!
141. Ray | 03.20.09
President Obama is entitled to be like any American citizen for one night. No one is perfect, and no one should judge no one. So grow up guys and gals!
142. Arkane | 03.20.09
You know if Pres. Obama said he made only five basket, like he was in junior high or something. Jr. high schools would be out rage. His comment was made to emphasize the level of his game and nothing else.
143. ron | 03.20.09
if the media would stop being so negative and start looking at the fun side and possible good that is to come, the world might be a better place. Lighten up and remember (if you do not have nothing nice to say do not say nothing at all) negativity does not accomplish nothing
144. Peter Litwin | 03.20.09
The point is that President Obama views the world through the same prejudiced spectacles we all port. I am certain the very same people who are “indignant” have at some point made or laughed at very similar jokes. As for our president, I’d rather have honesty with human flaws revealed than perfectly affected political posturing.
It was an insensitive off-hand comment. Let’s just hope he doesn’t make “rag head” jokes when begins to sit down with Middle East Arab dignitaries.
145. veewee | 03.20.09
I didn’t see a thing wrong with the Presidents remarks. You naysayers (possibly republicans?) nitpick too much.
146. KHAT | 03.20.09
Yeah like no one has ever made a joke like that!
Everyone gets on these boards and act like there so much better, but thats is easy to do behind a computer.
Get over yourself people. And are media, they are worst then some of you posting here.
Get Over It!
147. LPM | 03.20.09
It is insane for people to talk this much about a single statement that was clearly not meant to offend anyone. America as a nation is a lost cause if it attacks the only man who has a chance at redeeming it over his choice of words on a TV show. Especially attacks over something as stupid as a minor joke. Americans need to remove their heads from their ***** and to work on important things like SAVING THE COUNTRY. Obama is doing his job the best he can, and even takes the time to address the nation in an informal way.
148. The other Bearach | 03.20.09
While I think he could have used some other way to represent himself in a humorous way - those of you here who can’t get over the fact that this was A JOKE!… ~ need to look at a news articles about AIG. Really, pay attention to something that matters.
GET OVER YOURSELVES AMERICA!
149. Dallas Girl | 03.20.09
I am no fan of Obama or of his latest fiscal policies either, but I care even less for the PC police. My son is a Special Olympian, I volunteer in several different capacities helping children with disabilities, and I also teach children with disabilities in the public schools. My son would also tell you to get over yourselves, too. He has a great sense of humor and is apparently more mature than many in the PC crowd. We just finished the Special Olympic bowling season, and you may find it offensive, but it is true: we all cheer when someone breaks 100, so Obama could fit right in! Come on out and volunteer! Maybe you will find your sense of humor….or my son will find it for you.
150. Christopher E. Moore | 03.20.09
I was wondering when we were going to get to a topic that would overshadow the countries dire issues like 2 simultaneous wars, posturing between world powers, financial crisis, etc. And here we have it…President Obama cracks his wit at his own bowling skills and mentions the Special Olympics in the process. Let’s all take a week or three and reflect on how insensitive we all can be to “special” people, their friends and their families. That’s what’s really important here.
My heart goes out to the family of the soldier that’s going to lose his life within the next week; his story will never be told.
153. Emily | 03.20.09
I don’t think this is that big of a deal, we are blowing this up more than anything, it was something anyone would have said and just because it is Obama it is being blown out of proportion, leave the poor man alone he is only human and he made a mistake
154. Bobbo | 03.20.09
It was an unfortunate choice of analogy. Instead, he should have said “It was like a white guy playing basketball or something.”
155. Steve | 03.20.09
This prez (note prez is not in caps since he doesn’t deserve it) is a joke and he proved it once again. The lemmings who voted for him are clueless but those who still knowingly follow and support him are mindless. It’s not about this minor gaff–this gaff undermines his total disrespect for anything other than his own ego.
He hasn’t got anything right since November and you folks who support him need to get a clue…
156. Christopher | 03.20.09
Appologies solve nothing and change nothing. They just make everyone feel uncomfortable. Stew on the reality of that, and let’s press on.
157. KRiS | 03.20.09
I more appalled at this “gaffe” of Obama’s than any other he has made over the past few weeks - and there have been many. Both the obvious prejudice which led to the comment and the stupidity which caused him to say it aloud on national TV are enough to show that this man has no business leading our country. As for his “apology”, it’s simply not an apology. The man is his own god, and he will never sincerely apologize for anything he does or says. (He might as well have sent the Special Olympics committee a truckload of those plastic helicopters.) He is an elitist, a bigot, and an unprincipled moron, and I look forward to his impeachment. I give him six months.
158. Robby | 03.20.09
Can you imagine if George Bush made this comment. Every bleeding heart wimp would be crying out to anyone who listens what a cruel horrible person he is. I have a feeling the liberal media will do what they can to *** *** this.
159. ron | 03.20.09
He is the President of the United States! Act like it. The elections are over stop campaigning. Stop trying to be popular and do your job.
Many people may make a bad comment but just don’t be on tv when you do or be the President.
162. NoOneIsPerfect | 03.20.09
This will be on the news for weeks. I guess I shouldn’t be floored by the nasty comments of some of the previous posters but please get over this and get over yourselves. Not a one of us is perfect and too many people want to fan the flames of hatred by nitpicking every single movement President Obama makes. We are more than half way through the first 100 days of his Presidency and he is already being blamed for the actions of the Bush presidency as if the last 8 years are his fault. Rather than focus on the task at hand, which is redirecting the path of our nation, too many people would rather play word games. If you didn’t vote for him, fine. If you didn’t vote, then you have nothing to complain about. If you’re perfect and have never made an offhand comment then maybe you should have run for office and then we can nitpick everything you do.
163. Robby | 03.20.09
Hey Veewee, You would be on here spewing hate if George Bush made the remark. You know it, and I know it.
164. Jesse | 03.20.09
OK. I have a 22-year-old Special Needs kid. Everyone in this listing of comments that does not have a Special Needs kid - park it; you are clueless. I have raised my daughter from a baby and I’m around other Special Needs kids a lot. The vast majority of them are better-adjusted, have a more advanced sense of humor than those on this list making comments. This ‘uproar’ over Obama’s comment is a ridiculous waste of time.
165. Mock | 03.20.09
See this is where the political correctness monster starts to eat it’s self, those of us with common sense and thicker skin don’t care, have no problem with it. It’s those that live on the edge of outrage, that believe everything should be sanitized by the government for our protection, that are going to freak out at their own golden boy.
166. Danny | 03.20.09
Just another embarassment. Same as the stack of Blockbuster videos he gave to the Gordon Brown. Look out Dan Quayle, this guy is going to make you look smooth as silk…
167. Jessy Hamilton | 03.20.09
We have serious business to attend to - no need to focus on these distractions. He’s human and he’s going to make mistakes. It’s time to re-evaluate your expectations if you think differently, and it’s time to re-evaluate your priorities if you intend to spend time bogging the country down in conversations on those mistakes.
168. Valerie | 03.20.09
I am sorry, that comment is not acceptable - even among friends. Love the pres. He made a mistake and can make amends. He’ll figure it out because, if he is the man we believe him to be, he will acknowledge his prejudices and be ready to challenge himself. He must. He needs to PERSONALLY - not through a mouthpiece - accept responsibility AND prove why we elected him. WE the special people. Black. White. Brown. Gay. Hetero.
169. Jdoe | 03.20.09
It’s funny how liberals always ***** and moan about “PC” but when their sweetheart acts a fool, it’s ok and all of the sudden they become normal again. Ridiculous. He doesn’t even have the class to apologize himself.
170. Doug | 03.20.09
Imus made a mistake too. He owned up to it and participated in a very public discourse. Will Obama do the same?
171. David A. | 03.20.09
My question is, did our President, in our country’s economic situtation, fly our airplane (Air Force One) to California to be on the Tonight Show? Mr. Obama admits that we are in need of a solution to our economic woes and yet there is always time to fly out and have a few laughs in front of the world… at the expense of anyone that he does not consider physically or socially up to par. Is this a “change” for the better?
172. Big Bob | 03.20.09
The problem here is that the fool went on Leno in the first place. With every critic listening he ******* walks right into it. Obama’s problem is that he like to talk……..and talk……..and talk.
173. Pietro Lithuanianinski | 03.20.09
Great. Now the news media has a new sensational non-news story to detract the idiots from yesterday’s AIG, Wall Street Bailout, housing market crash, Haliburton no-bid rip offs, Enron implosion, CEO corruption, invading Iraq and Afghanistan to pursue Saudi-based terrorists who flew into our buildings by, explain away by not discussing how WTT Tower 7 imploded by obvious demolition although it was never hit by a plane… And by the way, are we still in Iraq “spreading American freedom”? I never hear a peep about Iraq these days…
174. WS | 03.20.09
I am a supporter of Obama but still think the comment was inappropriate. At least it was self-depricating humor, but it’s an ill-informed effort at self-deprecating humor. I’d bet that some of the Special Olympics athletes could out perform him in the bowling alley too.
175. Miznat | 03.20.09
Sadly, though I have the utmost respect and admiration for President Obama, I agree with the threads that say he should offer a stronger and personal apology to the Special Olympics, as we require other public personalities to do in such cases. I’d challenge the President and his staff to take the high road and hit it straight on with some creativity and class. Apologize AND help promote the Special Olympics mission by staging a competition between an Special Olympics bowler and the President as a fund raising event to set the record straight! That way everyone wins.
176. Kyle | 03.20.09
As a military officer I believe it is beneath the Office of the President of the United States to appear on a television program that has comedy as its main focus. Military personnel are admonished to respect the Office of the Commander-in-Chief and never to say anything publicly disrespectful of the holder of the Office. Respect is difficult when the CIC appears on this type of broadcast venue.
As regards the Special Olympics comment, “Political Correctness” is akin to the North Korean populace being terrified to say anything but slobbering platitudes to the “Dear Leader”.
177. JJ | 03.20.09
An off-handed name. Funny what reaction people took to Imus’ nappy hair comment. Dems are such hypocrites
179. jevans | 03.20.09
If Bush had said that to a national audience, it would be front page news for weeks. Obama’s comment will be in the news for the DAY, and only because it has to be since millions heard it happen. Tomorrow it will be gone, but the leftists will still be crying about how the media took their Messiah to task.
180. BMD | 03.20.09
OMG, agreed. Yes, could he have made another comparison? Sure. But those of you who seriously think he should be chastised for this should ask yourself, have I ever made a blunder on accident? I think so. And don’t say that because he’s the president he shouldn’t be doing things like this. Sure, he shouldn’t but he did, and he’s human. Get over yourselves is right. And I didn’t vote for him.
181. miznat | 03.20.09
Though I have the utmost respect and admiration for President Obama, I have to agree with the threads that say he should offer a stronger and personal apology to the Special Olympics, the same way we have required other public personalities to do in such cases. And, I do believe that the President of all people should be held to a higher standard.
I’d challenge the President and his staff to take the high road and hit it straight on with some creativity and class. Apologize AND help promote the Special Olympics mission by staging a competition between an Special Olympics bowler and the President as a fund raising event to set the record straight! That way everyone wins.
182. mrthrills | 03.20.09
Why is this rag called the ‘Christian Science Monitor’? Shouldn’t it be called the Republican ***** Monitor? Not much Christian or scientific here. Our former prez said something to the effect that sometimes free speech is not a good thing. Guess he was right about that.
183. Special Olympics | 03.20.09
Good grief people…. get over yourselves……. if they said it on Family Guy you would all be busting a gut laughing… you would make t-shirts and bumper stickers…. Pick on him like you are retarded - that’s a good way to help each other - that always helps a lot. We had a bumbling idiot running this country for 8 years - you are still stuck in that hateful mindset.
Remember Rafiki in the Lion King? Hits Simba over the head with as stick, Simba says “ouch,m that hurt” Rafiki said… “doesn’t matter, it’s in the past”
We could learn so much from a cartoon
184. Nate | 03.20.09
I think this is hilarious. If Bush picked his nose you saw it on every news station and Comedy Central program. I can’t wait until the day when the media can not turn the other cheek anymore and we get similar covereage this this guy. And one more thing, why wasn’t this whole interview already written out on a teleprompter???
186. Pat | 03.20.09
It was inappropriate for Obama to even appear on the Jay Leno show. Maybe during the campaign it would have been ok. Now he is the sitting president. His very appearance on the show displays a lack of judgement, let alone any off hand comments he made. It is time to move from campaigning to leading.
187. Joel | 03.20.09
I think mistakes like this are important for all those insignificant brainless people who can feel important by criticizing The President. If you really want to be important, then comment intelligently on something with substance.
188. Robby | 03.20.09
It amazes me how much this guy is on T.V. He’s got another press conference on Tuesday night. From what I can tell, all he has accomplished is increasing the national debt three fold, spent a long weekend at Camp David, fill out his NCAA bracket on the air at ESPN, and does talk shows. He is bankrupting this country with one hand, and entertaining the country on talk shows with the other. I cant imagine where we will be in 4 years.
189. aprpeh | 03.20.09
well Obama does qualify for the Special Olympics but I don’t believe there is an honesty competition. He is clearly is handicapped in that way.
191. Bill Watson | 03.20.09
I didn’t vote for President Obama and still don’t care what he said about Special Olympics. I do care what he says about important things like AIG, bonuses, TARP, Iraq, etc. You know, stuff that matters.
I never understood the love affair with Special Olympics anyway. If the people were really winners they would be in the Olympics, different needs be damned.
Move along, nothing to complain about here.
192. Frogpond | 03.20.09
Well now let’s see. Who is ahead in the gaff Olympics? I think Obama has a score of around 2 or 3 and GW, several thousand. Yes Obama should not have said what he said but in the overall scheme of things, it just doesn’t live up to the overwhelming dumbness of Bush and his administration. Anyhow, as Rush says, while wiping the egg off his face, “It’s just entertainment folks.”
193. Dave | 03.20.09
Maybe this was all designed to divert attention from the much larger problem that he and Chris Dodd took more kickbacks from AIG and Fannie/Freddie than anyone else, and both spirited the bonus guarantee through in the bailout package. He met with Maria Schriver earlier in the day, and either asked permission to use the special olympica gaffe, or she offered it..
194. DrainBamaged | 03.20.09
Okay, so Obama is saying he is retarded then? We get it already. Let’s move on.
195. Robby | 03.20.09
Pietro Lithuanianinski, What is it like to walk around in complete oblivion to reality? I say this with everything in my being; Anyone that thinks any of the WTC buildings were destroyed by anyone other than Terroists, are treasonist pigs that should be picked up by an unmarked Van and taken away never to be seen again. I can’t imagine what it must be like to be so pathetic and angry. So much so, that it skews reality. It looks to me that you are so stupid, that at times, you forget to breathe.
196. Leah | 03.20.09
Oh gosh, really? Rush Limbaugh says stuff like this everyday. C’mon now! I have a few Special Ed people in my family and I’m not offended. My aunt, who has an autistic child, has made Special Olympic jokes before. Get over it people!
197. Robby | 03.20.09
I love people like Joel. He calls the joke “a mistake” That is priceless. Joel, time for honesty now; What would you call this “mistake” if President Bush said it??? Be Honest!!!!
198. Saskier | 03.20.09
Now one question. Put George Bush or Dick Cheney in the spot of Obama with everything else the same. Now how would the media handle this situation?
199. Anu | 03.20.09
He didn’t do anything wrong. For goodness sake, he is just like us. We crack jokes in family and friends without meaning to insult any one. He is a great president for our country and this is a stupid issue we are focusing on. Let go people.
200. Vern | 03.20.09
I was wondering if I am the only one thinking this. Please help me with this. I am a VietNam Era vet and I was upset at the President even implying we will save a few bucks by not supporting our heros and make them foot the bill for war related injuries and for making us free. He was way off there. Am I correct America? Of course I know there will be a few plants by the democratic party like those on here that saw they have handicapped children and did not find offensive. How can that be. I would like to have Children’s Services look into that for abuse. Now with the offensive Special Olymics joke last night on Leo, imagine if he had them all killed by abortion and then think of all the dollars that could be saved. They are sub-human arent they? They are not God’s children are they. Just think mothers can go in and if the have a down syndrome or any other birth defect, Obamo can order them a free bill to have an abortion paid for by our tax dollars and then order a raise for all the the Senators and congressmen. Would that not work and then we could start on having a superior race. Right Mr. President? Just asking. After that comment last night only God knows his heart. I do not, but he did give us a look into his soul a little. This is not my stance but I wonder if that is the democratic stance since unborn children are not Americans yet. Just think he could tax them befor ehthey are born at 90%. Wouldn’t that help our economy?
201. BPT | 03.20.09
Oh please. You all are SO stuck in your political squandering that a PERSON can’t even tell a joke. I am a supporter AND donor for the Special Olympics of Iowa.
My daughter is special needs and I had NO problem with this comment. If you’re like me and you have a child with special needs, lets get this straight, sometimes they do things so innocently stupid that they are absolutely HILARIOUS. Special needs children are not to be made fun of but HAVING fun with them in SPITE of their condition is what makes them feel more normal.
To the move that was irritated by the comment, get over yourself and stop thinking about your ego.
Stop taking yourselves so damn seriously.
202. Mark Houlne | 03.20.09
Remember, ” A VILLAGE IN TEXAS IS MISSING IT’S IDIOT ” ?
Now it looks like, “A VILLAGE IN HAWAII IS MISSING IT’S IDIOT “.
203. Obama Girl | 03.20.09
There was plenty of talk about the risks of President Obama appearing on the Tonight Show. One simple mistake could dominate the conversation the next morning.
The last thing President Obama needed was a gaffe.
He made one.
Special Olympics
In a lighthearted conversation, President Obama told Jay Leno that he recently bowled a 129 at the White House bowling alley.
“Very good,” Leno said sarcastically.
“It was like Special Olympics or something,” Obama replied.
Realizing the potential magnitude of the mistake, the White House addressed the president’s remark to reporters aboard Air Force One.
“The President made an offhand remark making fun of his own bowling that was in no way intended to disparage the Special Olympics,” Deputy Press Secretary Bill Burton told reporters. “He thinks that the Special Olympics are a wonderful program that gives an opportunity to shine to people with disabilities from around the world.”
204. PL | 03.20.09
At least all of the prejudiced Obama haters have an excuse for their veiled bigotry now.
205. Kristy | 03.20.09
I think this is ridiculous. Austin may be correct in his comment about 9 out of 10 people joking this way among friends. However, he was not among friends. And that doesn’t make it okay either…Maybe if you had family or friends with special needs you would understand. Let’s hope you are never in any kind of accident that ends up with you or your loved ones having special needs…
He is supposed to be setting an example, being a role model. Special needs people face enough challenges daily without “normal” people adding to it. Maybe he should have used some of the over $100,000 he has been given in the past by AIG to have paid for some lessons…I didn’t vote for him and won’t. Things are progressively getting worse with the economy. He has no business talking without speeches written by others telling him how to think and what to believe…
206. James | 03.20.09
I’m a horrible republican, and I can’t see that he did anything wrong. I think there are alot of people on here that would give him a pass if he happened to be affiliated with your party. I will say this though, Bush would have been crucified over this. And before everyone starts bashing me for standing up for Bush, I am not a fan of his.
207. gene | 03.20.09
for the first time in my adult life I am really embarrassed to be a american,,, hehehehehe ( a little michelle pre-election quote)
209. wondering | 03.20.09
Sooooo… did his “apology” to the special olympics come with a DVD set for its president ?
Or is he just planning to include an “earmark” of soem sort for it in the next “stimulus”?
210. John M Gerst | 03.20.09
“But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man ‘unclean.’” (Jesus)
211. Angie | 03.20.09
So did everyone defending Obama on this comment defend Kelly Tilghman when she responded to Nick Faldo saying that young golfers who wanted to challenge Tiger Woods “should just gang up for a while.” Tilghman responded with what she, too, thought was a joke: “Lynch him in a back alley.” Tilghman was suspended and called a racist by many people despite the fact that she immediately realized her faux pas and apologized during the same broadcast. Tiger Woods, her friend, accepted her apology. But the moral outrage continued. Do the same people defending Obama really believe political correctness has grown out of control or are they merely giving Obama a pass because they voted for him? Al Sharpton, in regards to the Tilghman controversy said, “I don’t know why that would pop into her mind, but it popped out of her mouth, and she should be held accountable.” Should Obama be held to the same standard?
212. donna | 03.20.09
This man (Obama) is a disgrace to our republic, he is showman, an orator but not a leader and certainly not presidential material. He is selling this country down the drain!
213. Crystal | 03.20.09
As a President it is your responsibility to maintain a certain dignity and that may mean, watch what you say!! He should have never been on the Late Night show. Lets focus on America and not entertainment!
214. John | 03.20.09
I guess golfers should stop using the term ‘handicap’ since that must be insensitive too. That’s basically what Obama said - that he needs a handicap to be considered a better bowler. Though instead of saying “I should be given a handicap,” he used a simile, comparing his bowling to the special olympics, and the world is outraged. They’re not used to Presidents who use similes and metaphors.
I think back to prior politicians who have gotten in trouble for ‘making fun of the disabled’ and it was almost always them calling someone else ‘retarded’ as an insult, or something similar. I can’t recall a politician using disabilities as a self-deprecating device. I’m less offended by it.
If he admitted a mistake, and said “I was blind when I made that decision, or I turned a deaf ear to some good advice,” hopefully there wouldn’t be this outrage.
215. Laura | 03.20.09
I’m disgusted. I have a brother who bowls in the special olympics…how degrading. He (president) should be on the TV apologizing to the nation and to those who participate in the special olympics. Then he should invite some over to bowl w/him at the white house so he can learn a few things.
216. Kristy | 03.20.09
He is supposed to be setting an example, being a role model. He has no idea…Maybe he should have used some of the over $100,000 he has been given in the past by AIG to have paid for some lessons…I didn’t vote for him and won’t. Things are progressively getting worse with the economy. He has no business talking without speeches written by others telling him how to think and what to say…He is a pawn and that’s it. Unfortunately, he is a pawn that is held to a higher standard because of his position. That’s why this is such a big deal!! He should be “tending to business” and not playing on a late night tv show…spending our money to fly airforce 1 to California!!
217. Jo, NH | 03.20.09
I guess one could say he was transparent. So now we have an articulate Bush. How very non PC of him, that in itself might be a redeeming angle.
I’m far more concerned for his choices of cabinet members ie; Little Timmy. Now there’s a gaff you can believe in. Pelosi is just one big flying mistake on a broom stick. If the Democrats want viability find a new speaker. And BTW Obama replace TG the same way you repaced your mentor the liability Rev. Wright.Save your @$$ it’s what you do and the @$$eS will follow in lock step.
At least the mentally challenged have a reason for their short commings. You and your cronies are deliberatly obsequous. That’s called duplisitous stupidity.
218. Geoffrey | 03.20.09
This is one of those areas where the President, whoever he may be, gets a little leeway from me. Insensitive? Absolutely, buy in this same 20 mins that I have spent reading news and checking email, he probably had a national security meeting. Not a single person reading this or that heard the comment deals with problems of the same magnitude of those that this man wakes up to each morning. You would have to have taken a double dose of self-righteous pills this morning to not afford him small mistakes and bad jokes. President and yet still human. After the last president, I can’t imagine anyone doubting that the president is still just a human being.
219. Sid | 03.20.09
204. PL | 03.20.09
At least all of the prejudiced Obama haters have an excuse for their veiled bigotry now.
—————————————————–
Any criticism of Obama is veiled bigotry. Good to know.
220. RM | 03.20.09
I have a lot more respect for Special Olympians than I do for the Buffoon-in-Chief.
221. Kids Fan | 03.20.09
I think you are all missing the importance of what Obama said. Don’t you realize that Obama is a radical pro-choicer? He is on record as being in favor of partial birth abortions. All unborn babies now are screened for birth defects including down-syndrome, which means that Obama thinks it is acceptable to abort down syndrome babies. So, for you mothers and fathers of special needs children not to recognize the relevance of what Obama said is just plain ignorance. I wonder how many parents of special needs parents are pro-choice…I bet not many.
222. Enlightenment | 03.20.09
You are all a bunch of politically correct wussies, or republicans, or rush lamerod fans, or all! It was a joke, you losers!
223. Tom form Indiana | 03.20.09
So, now the President is “just entertainment?” If you don’t want to act like an idiot, then don’t go on Leno! Why did our President have to go on the show anyway? Politics as usual for him. He is looking for votes already. NO other sitting President has done this (and don’t try the old standby of “he’s one of us”, because he’s not. He is the President and needs to act as one. It’s not supposed to be fun or a party. He is the most powerful “leader” in the world and needs to act accordingly. Yes, everyone says stuff they probably shouldn’t, but he should not go on a show like that and start acting like a comedian. He is not.
224. CT21 | 03.20.09
The interesting thing about the reaction to the comment is that everyone is pretending the comment is completely outrageous. Outrageous for a President to say? Yes. But we all know that that sort of comment gets said every day in bars and restraurants and homes throughout the country. Americans claim they want a President who is like the rest of us. But as foolish as the comment was, it’s nowhere nearly as bad as those of us who got duped by seeing someone don a cowboy hat at a Crawford ranch . . .
225. my_tee_mouse | 03.20.09
Oh good grief. It was a joke. We are all getting entirely too sensitive in this country. And yes I have the right to say so because I’ve lived with disabilities for 20 years now.
This is a cute response:
“I love the prez, but he’s not quite up to the level of Special Olympian bowler yet.
Keep practicing sir.”
And that’s how folks should react to stuff like this: just throw it back at someone, tongue-in-cheek…not all this “outrage” baloney.
226. Steve | 03.20.09
Well, it is said that ‘any publicity is good publicity’, and handicapped people are a group of citizens who are far too often overlooked. The remark reminds us of the challenges that we face and it is good to see the public compassion that is expressed…now is the time to act on it.
Volunteer and donate generously to organizations for the handicapped and support legislation to help us out. Although my heart goes out to Mr. Obama for erring with this joke, since he is obviously a kindhearted man, I am glad that he said it; being invisible is not helpful to any group of people in need.
227. specialneedsmom | 03.20.09
There are a lot of comments saying “get over it” or something like that. When you have a special needs child, you never get the chance to get over it, you do the best you can…and it’s for life. His comment showed how he really feels…superior to those who are disabled. It really solidified what I’ve felt about him all along; he’s arrogant and doesn’t really care about people–he just wants power. If you’re overweight or have a large nose and someone makes a fat joke or a joke about big noses, you’d feel the same. He wasn’t just making fun of himself…he was comparing himself to people who he views are inferior to him. Yes, he talked about the economy, but it was the same old party line-nothing new, which is why his insensitive comment was notable.
228. KENT | 03.20.09
I’m not surprised or disappointed that he bowls like he’s handicapped I’m more disappointed that his economic police seems to crafted by the mentally challenged and the national security by the insane.
229. chad | 03.20.09
sorry, but for someone who screams and demands social justice, compassion and equal rights this is unacceptable. It is funny to watch keith olbermann say “what do we..HE do about this”
230. xtine | 03.20.09
i find it amazing that anyone would get whacked out over this. what a waste of time. how about focusing on the economic woes or aig.
231. emmanuel udomi | 03.20.09
At times we in Africa wonder if Americans realizes the fact that their Head of State is also a human being and not a super-human,a robot or someone from outer-space.
232. JR | 03.20.09
Obama’s remark was tasteless. PERIOD.
Are people really going to justify it by saying that he just using a politically correct version of “I’m so retarded” — a comment we now hear uttered from every teenager when they are mocking something?
If he was just a random comedian on a stage, it would have been said, laughed at, and probably never mentioned again. But as the president, he made the intentional decision to go on public television, on a world-famous comedy show because he wanted to reach a large population of viewers, and put himself into a role where he could potentially make comments that could be offensive. He’s human. He made a mistake. I get that. And he needs to apologize. What he said was wrong, and there is no gray area around that.
But the bigger picture is that his comment is a reflection of a deeper mindset of thinking that views certain citizens as lesser or weaker… it validates those who use comments like that. It reinforces the message that saying that isn’t offensive just because it was said as a joke.
233. Samantha | 03.20.09
Notice Keith Olberman … quite possibly the stupidest man on television says … “What do WE do?” … you know why he asked what do WE do? Because MSNBC turned itself into Barack Bush Campaign Central so that HAVE to clean up all of Barak Bushes gaffes. MSNBC is a filthy hack station that NO ONE takes seriously. Not liberals, not democrats, not independents, not republicans and certainly not anyone with a brain. Barack Bush is quite possibly an even bigger gaffe machine than the idiot before him.
234. evil religion | 03.20.09
Recently, the pope said the use of condoms in Africa causes AIDS. He wasn’t joking either. That’s something to get upset about, not Obama comparing himself to a retard. It is obvious by the other comments left by people with mentally handicapped people in their lives that they didn’t find it offensive. SouthPark had an entire episode making fun of a non-handicapped kid (Cartmant)entering the Special Olympics and losing horribly. America, you need to build a bridge and GET OVER IT!
235. Mike | 03.20.09
I think he made a dumb mistake. Until you are in those special supporting shoes he or anybody on this blog will not understand. What an idiot, he said rather he meant it as a joke or not you just dont cross that line especially as President of the US.
236. Stein | 03.20.09
” 3. Austin | 03.20.09
People really need to get over themselves, here. The man didn’t say anything that 9 out of 10 of us wouldn’t say amongst friends. How many times have you called your brother or sister or friend an off-handed name. Politically correct has gove so far over the edge it’s almost impossible for anyone to publicly say something without offending someone. Let’s get back to the real issues here and stop being so hypersensitive. ”
I do not agree with you one bit. As an educator for needs children in a high school I see the impact of such off-handed remarks by “role” models first hand. For example, while walking my children to their class room this morning, numerous children said “Here comes Obama’s special olympic bowling team.” or something similar and derogatory in nature. Hypersensitive? I think not, I believe it is more about helping those innocents that cannot help themselves.
237. Rick | 03.20.09
One of of the things that first moved me to support Obama was whenI made the “cling to religion and guns” statement. Not for making the statement, which was stupid, but because he owned up to making a poorly phrased statement.
When John Kerry made some poorly phrased statement he blamed the listener. Kerry is a bigger idiot than Bush, but Kerry was still the 1st Democrat that officially got my vote. I felt though Bush was a better person, he was misguided.
I expected better from Obama — not for him to be perfect, but for him to own up to his mistakes and to truly apologize. Even Reagan made some insensitive remarks at times.
238. KDN | 03.20.09
He has apologized for the remark. Let’s move on people and stop looking to justify why you don’t like him.
239. Tom | 03.20.09
Wow, he betrays one of his main supports, the Shriver/Kennedy clan as it was Shriver that actually founded Special Olympics. What a callous disregard for the special needs community just to win a laugh. Thanks Mr. President, you made an **** yourself this time.
240. Colleen Tomko | 03.20.09
As an advocate for people with disabilities, my first reaction was “yikes”. But after thinking about it, any activity that segregates a segment of the population perpetuates that those who are forced to be part of that “special” activity - because of being excluded from the typical experiences - is already stating “you are not good enough”. Special Olympics means well, but it is also part of the problem and barriers to true inclusion. Instead of figuring out how to include people of all abilities, Special Olympics is where a person is expected to go if they are not on the same level as others, or they are labeled with a disability. You can’t on one hand say they aren’t good enough (which they are and can be, or could be supported and have adaptations to be) to participate in typical recreational activities and sports, but on the other hand have a segregated organization that no one can comment about the realities of it being in existence? President Obama was actually only expressing an existing well rooted belief and reality.
244. Bill | 03.20.09
President O’Bama has shown time and again that he lacks the ability to be a statesman…in his position, that cannot be afforded. He either has to learn quickly or give it up. Those who feel it’s not a big deal have no idea of the stature of the presidency and what it entails. Right now we are downplaying his faux pas’. For what reason, I’m not sure. I know that Bush, the junior, was called out on every twist of the English language and made to be an unintelligent bafoon. I’m not sure that this does not surpass Bush’s occasional butchering of the language! O’Bama can’t do any wrong by some folks’ standards, but he has, and he will….hang on.
245. Paul | 03.20.09
For those of you saying to get over it, you clearly don’t understand the matter. It’s not just a casual slip of the tongue. If he had been a white President saying something about black people, you’d have WWIII! The NAACP and Sharpton would be all over him within minutes, and the crowd and Leno would have just sat in shocked silence. But because he’s black and making fun of handicapped people, it’s somehow alright and we should just “get over it.” That’s nice. Yeah, we should all get over the fact that this shows our “leader” has deep-seeded prejudices against anyone different than himself. That’s what we need in a leader! Those of you saying this is nothing should think long and hard about what comments like this say about a man’s character!
246. Mommy123 | 03.20.09
OK –I have always thought that Obama was a pompous self rightous A** and he just proved my point. I am the mother of an individual who participates in the Special Olympics year round and for all those who are syaing “Oh Come On..he did nothing wrong, he said nothing that none of us would not say among friends…such As “Austin” shame on you…you all should be ashamed for defending such an off color remark…he can be funny without making fun of the special olympics are those who struggle with disabilities everyday….He never had my vote and he never will get my vote. Can’t wait until his four years are up….for those of you who continue to support him and say this is nothing just wait until he makes an offensive comment towards someone you love! Again he is an A** and he did not apologize anywhere in that statement-
247. John | 03.20.09
I do not believe that debating the President’s humor is a valid American priority right now. That said, Special Olympics statistics compared to professional sports statistics reveal a consistent difference in performance that, when removed from the context of the essence of Special Olympics events, makes “Special Olympics” available as a humble self-reference indicating that an individual has such poor skills that even their blessing of full physical capacity is not sufficient to make up for their lack of athletic ability. Lighten up, people; this is a classic, casual joke.
248. Tim | 03.20.09
So, let me get this straight. Because you share the same bias, that people with disabilities are something we all make fun of, there should be no apology? Imagine if he had said “I have the arm strength of a woman”, or “I bowled like I’m gay” or “I missed more pins than an American Soldier misses Afghanis”.. We could just pass that off too right? Because women, gays and Afghanis are as worthy as the handicapped. Just sayin… 
249. John | 03.20.09
I do not believe that Presidential humor is a relevant American issue right now. An ignorantly timid American society, however, is a pertinent issue. Statistics indicate a consistently lower level of athletic performance by Special Olympics athletes compared to professional athletes that, when removed from the context of the essence of Special Olympics, makes “Special Olympics” a classic, humble, and casual self-referencing joke implying that, despite one’s blessing of full physical capability, the individual’s athletic skills seem hopeless. Sometimes I think Americans’ pants are worn way too tight…
250. RDizzle | 03.20.09
Everyone thinks they are better than everyone else because they can sit behind their computer and point a finger. Way too many people, especially the crazy Christians, think they are above everyone else. The only one who is above everyone else is Jesus, because on the cross, he was literally above everyone else.
251. Darrell | 03.20.09
It was a very stupid comment to make. I can think of a million words to describe someone with a low bowling score..special needs DOES NOT come to mind!!! How about rookie..that would be a little less insulting. The fact is that he compared his low score to the special olympics..my son is severly handicap and listening to that comment rubbed me the wrong way. The president’s apology wouldnt amount to much either..he obviously meant what he said.
252. casey | 03.20.09
I’m so tired of the double standard any white person who makes a slip like this loses there lively hood and reputation(ie. Imus) But if your Black hey make fun of who ever want. I don’t care about him using the Special Olympics in a joke I’ve heard everyone I know make that same joke….it’s like saying you ride the short bus. But the same people who back up Obama Call for Boycotts and public lynching any time someone says something they don’t like.
253. Ed | 03.20.09
I’m a Conservative and proud of it BUT please. The “remark”, big deal. To darn much political correctness. I’m sure, even though I don’t approve his politics, is a decent man and didn’t mean anything by it. See what happens when you don’t have a teleprompter??
254. Ray | 03.20.09
There are some major hypocrites in this world. If Bush had said this, then there would have been rallies and protests calling for his removal. Obama says it, and it’s….well…he didn’t mean it and you would have said it too. Very sad.
255. A | 03.20.09
Obama shouldn’t have been on the talk show. He should have been doing what he was elected to do: turning water to wine and feeding thousands with an armful of bread and fish.
257. John | 03.20.09
A quantitative reference in the president’s case is valid. To extrapolate the quantitative reference into a qualitative insult, thus manipulating the president’s words and changing his intention, is a logically invalid and irresponsibly weak argument founded on hysteria by socially conservative minds incapable of understanding unconventional humor and its ability to serve as a forum for temporarily relieving social tensions by openly poking lighthearted fun at stereotypes typically considered offensive to mention in a more formal setting.
258. autismMom | 03.20.09
Obama showed his true colors by degrading a segment of the population who already suffer from discrimination and bullying. Shame on him. Is this what the liberal agenda is all about?
259. Marc A.Urias | 03.20.09
I can’t believe how much energy we as people; on all sides for that matter, will put into trivial issues, such as this one, which I will say although innocent wasn’t nice. Why is it that we can’t focus on the the good that people do, but rather the negative and our mistakes. Apparently we are so immature that issues such as these carry significantly more weight and importance than real issues in our lives. Are our lives so trivial? Where are our priorities? Grow up for God’s sake!
“He who is free of sin, shall cast the first stone.”
260. Simplicio T. Soriao | 03.20.09
We have to manage expectations.
The President’s foray in a talk show just like this one is open to subjective interpretations. I believe the President to be an honest man, very self-effacing, and at times, too humble for his own good. And I must say that he demonstrated genuine leadership without ruffling feathers.
261. Aly | 03.20.09
Yes, 9/10 of us probably would say the same thing among friends. BUT WE ARE NOT THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES! Part of the job description is being professional and being a role model and representing our country in a positive way. Just like teacher are held to a higher standard than many professions, the president needs to watch what he says! I hated Obama before, and this just solidified my feelings. He was on national television, and should have been able to control himself enough to watch what he said. I understand that it was just a “slip” and that some people say he shouldn’t be criticized because many other people would make the same comment. Well, this is what he signed up for. Bush was torn apart for every little comment he made, so I don’t see why it should be any different for [him].
262. Father of a Special Needs child | 03.20.09
This comment reflects an attitude of Obama that he is above everyone else just like he continues to remind “I won”. To make a joke about children that struggle every moment of their day is surprising from a President. Those that excuse it, are simply grown up versions of other children that ridicule and make fun of Special Needs Children every day of their lives.
263. Tiye | 03.20.09
Dang Obama, think before you speak, please. You know sooooo many people are watching and ready and waiting to blast you hard for the comments you make.
But I know for sure he didn’t mean any harm by it.
Keep up the good work Mr. President. 
264. mike | 03.20.09
President Obama is one of the nation’s greatest and an honest leader. So we all should appriciate, we are the United State of America and as a one great nation should stand behind our president to salve the problems.
God bless America
265. Amber | 03.20.09
If this was G.W. Bush, you right winged people wouldn’t be so forgiving. But since Obama said it, we are supposed to turn the other cheek.
266. DemForLife | 03.20.09
Obama’s comments will never top Bushe’s flubs:
On Osama Bin Laden, post 9/11: “He’s not on my mind much”
“Fool me once, shame on you, Fool me twice, Fool me three times, won’t get fooled again”
“Families are where wings take dreams”
“God told me to invade Iraq”
Get over it, GOP. Try not to let the fact that you’re a bunch of traitors show.
267. DORIS M. | 03.20.09
It is really a sad day in America when we can’t make a joke about ourselves without being beat down to the ground.
I would love to know how many of the people who are so outraged over the president’s comments about himself thought that monkey cartoon on the cover of the magazine was funny.
268. F, Gallas | 03.20.09
I have a son with Down Syndrome and I forgive the President. Plus, I’ve seen some pretty dang good athletes at our local Special Olympic meets I’ve not seen the Special Olympics Bowling meet, but I suspect, some of them bowl way better than 129. Most of those athletes would forgive the remark..In fact, that’s what I’ve noticed about the Special Olympics people…They are basically free of animosity, jealousy, and even though they all want to win, (which in most people’s minds they are all winners for just having the courage to get out and do..anything)when someone trips and falls during a dash, without fail, one our more will run back and help their friend up….Sometimes whether they know them or not. I think some of America has forgotten or lost that aspect of being human and caring about others…judging from some of the remarks I’ve read this morning…
269. James Bennett | 03.20.09
Unless you are disabled I don’t think you have a right to be “outraged.” All humour would be taken out of the world if we tippy toed around everything for danger of offense!
270. Kendra | 03.20.09
I’m sorry, but when you have a child with special needs, you do take offense to a comment like that. Some of these comments truly show how thoughtless and uncaring the United States has become. I wouldn’t make a racial or sexist slur against someone. Why make a joke (or even think that it is acceptable) about a population who have no more control over their disabilities than anyone else has control over from what race they have descended? This has nothing to do with GOP or anything else. Obama isn’t perfect and he made a mistake. However, he should apologize for a comment like that.
271. Mike | 03.20.09
It’s funny how the PC crowd is coming to his defense. I’m no fan of Bush, but if he made a similar comment, the liberal PC fanatics would want his head on a platter.
272. Matt | 03.20.09
This whole thing is retarded. It’s a joke. Have a sense of humor. This is just like when Tropic Thunder came out and it was blasted for the whole “Never go full retard” conversation. Don’t we have better things to do with our time as a country? That’s what comedy is… either make fun of yourself or make fun of other people. I think we need to actually talk to some Special Olympics participants and see A) if they were up watching Jay Leno and B) if they were offended or C) Did they just spend the whole time saying, “Yeah! Jay Leno! I’m up past my bedtime! Yeah!”
273. Cheryl | 03.20.09
Obama’s comments are insight into the mainstream disregard for the actual abilities of people determined by someone’s scale to be disabled.
It is important to remember that whatever the “disability”, the human being so labeled also has many abilities. Often these abilities far exceed the abilities found in the mainstream.
However, we focus only on the “disability” and marginalize these important and valuable human beings based on only that or those characteristics.
My son has Aspergers Syndrome and regarded by many educational professionals as “uneducable” because of this exceptionality. I have had to educate him myself because they refuse to “waste their time”. He tests beside his mainstream peers and in almost all instances scores higher than they do - which only makes the teachers and administrators angrier and more determined to push him to the side where they believe he belongs.
Life is unreasonably hard on exceptional people for no reason other than mainstream societies determination that it should be more difficult for them. Mainstream prejudice and ignorance are the primary disadvantage for the “disabled”. Take away that and these individuals would have happier, more fulfilling and productive (and often completely independent) lives.
Obama remark only shows that he is among those in the mainstream who have already such entrenched disregard for these human beings that such a remark is given without any thought - it just shows the content of his heart.
274. Parry | 03.20.09
He is the “President”…agendas from you commenters aside. No party especially that of a disadvantaged group should ever be mocked (period).
275. Rick in LA | 03.20.09
His staffer called the press — and didn’t really apologize
Obama called Tim Shriver, the chair of the Special Olympics, and gave an apology. Now that’s the Obama I respect.
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/theoval/post/2009/03/64400743/1
He made a mistake, and owned up to it.
Partisan on both sides are going to be the main obstacle is fixing this country.
276. cody | 03.20.09
This is ridiculous.. I have a friend in a wheelchair and I make fun of her all the time just like I would make fun of any able bodied friend I have she isn’t any different from any of my other friends other then the chair and I am not going to treat her any different…. If you cant laugh and make fun of yourself whats the point? Everything you say will offend someone.. The fact that the president was able to just be a normal person for once and laugh at himself is just normal… I expect the president and anyone else in the world to make fun of themselves… I am pretty certain that even handicap people make fun of themselves… Just making a big deal out of it is worse simply because it makes those who are handicap very well aware of their disability.. Most handicap DON’T want to be treated different they want people to know they are just the same as everyone else just with some minor differences… I’m not just saying this because it’s Obama I would say this even if it WAS George Bush or any other president or public figure… I think as long as it is meant and KNOWN to be just a joke about ones self it should be made into such a big deal… He apologized in case it did offend someone and they took his apology which just goes to to prove that even handicap people knew it was a joke, he was making fun of himself and didn’t take offense…
277. evil religion | 03.20.09
If all of you put in this much time, effort, and energy in to something worthwhile like world hunger, I believe you’d actually be productive. But, don’t stop wasting the first day of spring by concerning yourselves with something you cannot change. Maybe you should put on your “big boy/girl panties” and deal with it! Get a freakin’ life.
278. John Doe | 03.20.09
We all have to understand President Obama was on the show of Jay Leno. Is incredible to see a President being a guest of a comedy show and make people laugh about things, but is really disappointing that some people took his comment in the wrong way.
Just to open your eyes, there is a huge difference between a comedy show and a political conference. The president was on a comedy show and everything he said was a JOKE!
You know what, if you took this too seriously, just consider yourself a lower being and ruining the image of your own country.
This shows the other countries that United States is a country of hate and no joking around.
You sir, are a jerk and I recommend you to get a sense of humor.
279. Cindy Sue Causey | 03.20.09
Thank you for being among those who *are* covering this respectfully..
As to the gaffe, it was indeed one.. It’s called “disabilism”.. It is exactly the same as and has precisely the same ramifications as if someone had made a racial statement that offended another party..
The second gaffe they made apparently within hours of the bowling [rhetoric] was to view the Disability Community as “second class citizens” such that the Community did not receive a *direct, open, public apology* from President Obama himself.. Instead, something was tossed out there by a White House staffer that, as some are expressing even here, did not qualify as an apology at that..
Feeling it pretty safe to call this the Disability Community’s six pack of DVDs…….
United In Advocacy from Talking Rock, Georgia..
280. Elliot | 03.20.09
He immediately called up the head of the special olympics before the show had aired and apologized. The head of the special olympics accepted it and described it as “very moving.”
It was a gaffe and there’s not much else you can do about it other than apologize. I think his actions will speak louder than words when he actually funds their programs unlike certain republicans (ie Palin and Bush)
281. John Milton Wesley | 03.20.09
In this age of “ultra-political correctness” every brunt is a sacred cow. Every joke is a minefield. No politician or pundit can risk reaching for a laugh, not even through self-deprecation without the risk of grasping controversy.
John Milton Wesley
282. Sinya | 03.20.09
As a PROUD 11 year volunteer with special adults and the special olympics, waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too much is being made of this. Thinking maybe it was just me I spoke to a couple of my special pals and they all laughed. People, they are capable of laughing at themselves and have wonderful sense of spontaneity, humor and hubris. Let it go folks, just say no.
283. evil religion | 03.20.09
Cindy Sue-your name says it all. Thank you for that backwoods Georgian comment. You’re an advocate for Bible belt Republicans. You go girl.
284. Jennifer | 03.20.09
Ok…First I’d like to say….CHILL OUT! Are you all serious? He’s a human being and says stuff, not meaning to be taken in a literal way. IT WAS A JOKE…AND I LAUGHED! Leave the man alone…he has enough to worry about with all the other B.S. going on in this country and over seas…he was having a good time and was just trying to make a joke…NOT A BIG DEAL! CHILL OUT AMERICA….DON’T GET UR PANTIES IN A TWIST!
285. tonynelson | 03.20.09
We all know that had McCain made the same gaffe on the campaign trail, Obama would have jumped-ugly on him.
That’s what makes this bad, the hypocrisy.
286. Mark | 03.20.09
What a retard!
And, if my response offends you, then I’ll use the same excuse that half of the people have used in this comment section to support Obama - It is just a joke, Don’t get UR panties in a twist. There are more important things going on in this country.
287. Jennifer | 03.20.09
Okay…he’s human…he said ONE LITTLE comment…dont get ur panties in a twist America. You people need to get a life…Poor me…I’m upset because my child has a disability…BOOHOO! Really!? It was a comment that wasn’t made to be taked literally! If u want to get mad at someone…Carlos Mencia (which I think is FUNNY AS HE**!) talks about dedede’s ALL THE TIME! There was one show he did for special needs people and decided not to do the dedede part because of where he was at….and they called him out on it! They got mad because he wouldn’t do that part in front of them. He ended up doing it and they laughed harder than a normal person did. Have a sense of humor…sometimes you have to look past the political point and realize that behind the desk in the Oval Office….is a HUMAN BEING and is allowed to make comment without being picked apart by **** Americans!!!
288. Miguel | 03.20.09
He went on TV and insulted American citizens to get a laugh. He held a group of citizens to get a cheap laugh. That is not presidential. It is offensive. It would be offensive if a member of Congress said it, no matter what party they were a member of. That it was said by the president of the United States while giving an interview is disgusting.
289. KVZ | 03.20.09
The point is that we live in a culture of double standards. When Obama or any liberal makes a gaffe, it’s reported as though it was a simple mistake or “a tempest in a teapot” and we need to move on. If a conservative or Republican makes a gaffe, it’s evidence of how ignorant or mean-spirited he or she is. We need to apply the same standard to both parties. Either each party needs to accept criticism for missteps, or we all need to get over it regardless of who says it.
290. Bendover | 03.20.09
Seriously, it’s not that big a deal. People need a damn sense of humor.
The world would be a better place if everyone stopped getting so worked up over silly matters.
291. Nicole | 03.20.09
Thank you for your comment, Elliot. Having worked as a social worker in develpmental disability services for over 10 years - I immediately recognized the gaffe and rolled my eyes, not because of the unfortunate comment but because I anticipated this response of outcry from those just looking for something from the President to critique.
Several of the consumers (who are also Special Olympian bowers) that I work with even commented on finding it funny and not being offended. But regardless of what is said on here, everyone will continue to search for and find only that which supports their already formulated conceptions.
But please, if you are going to criticize the President for a careless remark, do not refer to the disabled as “retarded” within your comment as that has long been deemed derogatory (and far more offensive than an off-hand mentioning of the Special Olympics) within the DD community.
292. Portia | 03.20.09
Let’s see if I have this right. Bill Clinton, McCain, Palin are all racists, but Obama is just a regular guy when he makes a Middle School joke on the backs of innocent children. And the lies coming out of Dodd and the White House regarding the AIG bonuses are mere picadillos and the outrage over these lies and the bonuses are faux distractions? Next you’re going to tell us that Congress people voting for 1100 page bills they haven’t read is transparancy cubed.
Just think. The brain that gave us this example of adult thinking is the same one that thunk up that great idea about denying medical treatment to wounded veterans. But you all just keep supporting him. He’s sure to get something right sometime. After all, we live in world with no more enemy combatants and no more Islamic terrorists. HE was elected after all–and his video about what a good guy he is will impress the h*ll out of Iran.
Has anyone else read the new blog written by Obama’s teleprompter? Am I the only one who is detecting maybe the biggest lie of all the lies that have been told by this man and his supporters? It’s that “brilliant” thing. If brains were celophane, he wouldn’t have enough to make goggles for a pissant.
294. Matt J | 03.20.09
He was clearly trying to be self-depricating and had no conscious desire to insult the Special Oylmpics. Yes, it was still a mistake to say it, but there was clearly no intent to insult anyone. Would Bush or Republicans get a harder time? Absolutely. And if Obama destroys this country for the next 4 (probably 8 years) than I am sure the public’s collective patience will be worn out with him as well. I guarantee 99% of anyone who is “outraged” by this is a Republican.
295. James | 03.20.09
Austin: so true. we definitely need to stop being so supersensitive to a light, offhanded attempt at a joke. c’mon people. reality check please.
296. Consuelo Beck-Sague | 03.20.09
Dear Dallas Girl: UR awesome, and your son must be the coolest.
I love the president. I wish he would not have made the
Special Olympics remark, because it may have hurt the feelings
of some of the Special Olympics athletes.
But I am sure glad that he went on Jay Leno. I was delighted to
see him have a chance to do something (about as unpresidential
as the Fireside Chats, by the way) that takes him away from the
press conferences and the talks to congress, and brings him to
us, the people he leads, and who want him to succeed, and want
to get to hear him talk about the situations that are hurting us
in a casual and yes, vulnerable manner. I’m sorry if his faux pax
caused people hurt.
297. jim | 03.20.09
If you are watching leno for political news you are more than likely the same morons that voted for obama in the first place. keep watching you may learn something.
298. Kevin | 03.20.09
Really, this is just silly media nonsense. Should he have said it? No. Is it an offhanded comment that a huge chunk of the American population would make? Yes.
I’ve helped during an actual Special Olympics bowling match and had a lot of fun. But come on, this was not some kind of horrific comment disrespecting every handicapped person on earth.
299. Portia. | 03.20.09
“204. PL | 03.20.09
At least all of the prejudiced Obama haters have an excuse for their veiled bigotry now.”
I rest my case. Prima facia evidence that cognizant dissonance is the only thing needed to follow Obama. Welcome to 1984 or Alice in Wonderland. Up is down; peace is war…and really. The inmates are in charge.
300. Lindsey | 03.20.09
Truthfully, I would assume that we all know that we did not mean any harm by the comment. I am sure that the President does not have any negative options of the Special Olympics. I do not think that anyone has negative opinions of such a great program. I would say that tearing the President apart over this would be a terrible waste of time.
301. steve | 03.20.09
if our mounths are an outflow of what’s truly in our hearts and minds, what does this about obama our president. if he let this slip on a stage as big as this with advisors/staffers sitting in the back room, what does he REALLY say or think when he’s not being watched by millions?!
302. Portia | 03.20.09
Dear Matt, you say, “I guarantee 99% of anyone who is “outraged” by this is a Republican.” Are you saying that no outrage is legitimate unless it’s a Democrat outrage? What a brave new world we have. Illogic becomes logic and only one view allowed. So America follows the USSR, the Third Reich, China and North Korea into the abysmal abyss the population is destroyed for the good of the population.
303. Areyouserious | 03.20.09
Anyone who doesn’t think his comment was offensive, may someone with special needs become part of your life….maybe perhaps your child someday…see how funny it is then.
304. Marian Helmick | 03.20.09
If the topic of Special Olympics came up I’m sure he would’ve had very respectful comments about it. He should only appologize once he realizes that Special Olympics is meeting the challenge of those who are challenged.
305. SRD | 03.20.09
I am a parent of a special need child that participated in the special olympics and think this is an absolute ridiculous attempt to find fault by any means necessary. He mispoked that is all. He was trying to make fun of himself and it came out wrong. Let’s stop pretending that we never made a joke or slip of a tongue that could have been deemed inappropriate. YOU are lying to yourself if you take that position. I happen to think that this “slip of the tongue” or poor attempt to make fun of himself” will be used to bring attention to those that has special needs which is a good thing. He will take this “lemon” moment and turn it into “lemonaid” which I know will upset those that are on a mission to attack him anyway. I do not think for one moment that he is against special needs children. Anyone that has an ounce of integrity and heard the tape ….should be intelligent enough to make a distinction between ridiculing special needs children or ridiculing oneself and using the wrong terminology seeking to accomplish this. One is with evil intent and the other was simply depreciation of oneself. Those who are fair no better. As far as those that think he did not look presidential…I personally thought he did. He is a very intelligent human being and as a human being …as we all are…we makes mistakes. Let’s not stumble over pebbles for this country has far more big bolder rocks to attack than us being overly sensitive and offended at a drop of a hat. I respect those that do feel offended but I as one that was included in that category of having a “special needs” child…I have must more harder concerns than a slip of a tongue to get bent out of shape about.
306. Syam | 03.20.09
How many people are guilty of making slightly insensitive jokes about anything? People do it all the time. Everybody about everything. It wasn’t totally appropriate for Obama to make a joke about the special Olympics because he is a public figure, but people need to get over it. It happens - people say silly stuff like that, he’s human and he isn’t pretending to be anything else. We have more to worry about as a society than offhand comments about his bowling score.
307. SRD | 03.20.09
There are people who is itching to criticize this president. Now you think you found justification for your already existing hatred of him …the nerve of this man running for the highest office in the land and the audacity of winning in a landslide has left you in a rage. Get over yourself. For those that have a special need child…and feel offended…I respect your right to your feelings…but I recognize that there is such a thing called “special olympics” for a reason for they thought it would be unfair for a child with a disability to compete with a non-disabled child. Why is that? For this special child may have physical or mental limitation that would put them at a disadvantage if they competed in the regular olympics. It is a fact of reality. So, I assume this president, in an attempt to make fun of himself…used the “special olympic” terminology to inadvertently to suggest his skills were not up to par. Let’s talk plain english here. I can appreciate how this sound to the political correct ears of some and the ears of those that seek to criticize this president regardless. However, to act outraged and deeply offended….I think one is acting a bit overly sensitive. I have a cousin that is blind. He can not see. It is a fact. He went to special schools….he is the smartest man I know. But guess what…he can’t see. No amount of political correctness can change that truth. He went on to live a very successful life as an adult and is very talented. He himself makes jokes about his blindness, just like “non-disabled” people makes jokes about themselves and eachother. He sees himself as a complete person…just that he is unable to see. Therefore he welcome to be treated like a “regular” human being of which he is…he simply just can’t see like we can…he uses his hearing to see and sounds communicate to him similar to the way our sight communicate to us. I can speak this boldly for I had a child that had special needs and even participated in one of the bowling functions that were conducted by the special olympics. I am sick and tired of the old Political Correctness philosophy that seeks to dominate every faction of our lives…to the point and degree…it may be lethal for us to say a word. I am not going to be politically correct on every issue. I will try to be sensitive to others…but I will speak freely as well. For the overly sensitive…I might as well say sorry now…for I am not going to make a special accomodation to pretend that everyone and everything is identical and the same. WE are human being with diverse backgrounds and issues and I happen to make fun with my blind counsin and my own child on occasion…we all need to grow some layers….or else we need to make preparations to be offended for the rest of our natural lives. NOT ME>
308. esm | 03.20.09
i look at it this way, at least he just made an off comment…we all do sometimes. The last president was an actual member of the special olympics…
309. areyouserious | 03.20.09
Hmmmm….I have a special needs child and I don’t have any “more harder Concerns” in my life than that…I am not saying he is a bad president or a good president, I don’t think anyone could say either way yet since the man has only been in office 2 months. And, while he may be human like the rest of us, he is the president of the free world so he should be held to a higher standard.
310. Joey Jack | 03.20.09
Good Grief….lighten up world…have YOU ever said something off-color? Ha ha, I said “off-color”…am I a racist now?
311. Thomas | 03.20.09
How hypocritical most of you are! Yopu know for a fact that if President Bush had made the same comments you would be all over him like a stain on a blue dress! This is the man you want to represent you and your country? Great job President Obama! Way to be sensitive to the handicapped community. By the way, why are you going on the Tonight Show anyway. With people losing their jobs, homes and life savings, dont’ you think you have more important things to do than bowl, go on T.V. and make NCAA Basketball brackets? Vote Democrat, it’s a lot easier than thinking…
312. areyouserious | 03.20.09
I promise you Joey Jack that if you said something on here that really was consider a racial slur, you would be a horrible person, not funny like the guy that makes fun of people with special needs.
313. PhotoMomof3 | 03.20.09
I have two normal kids, and one kid with moderate autism. While I understand the concern with political correctness, I feel left out of the humor. That is why it is so painful to hear kids banter the “r” word around. My autistic kid will never get to toss the “r” word around whenever he is angry or annoyed. I will never again feel like I am part of the rest of the world. We cannot go anywhere or do anything as a family. This affects every minute of our lives, 24 hours a day. People do not understand. In a way, I am glad for Obama’s gaffe, because at least we are visible for awhile.
314. Mary Keifer | 03.20.09
Aside from the issue of the insensitive, stupid comment, what is a sitting president doing on a late-night comedy show? The presidency should have some dignity attached to it….he’s leader of the free world, not a “cool” rock star. I’d like to take him seriously, but I can’t. He was invented by the Dems as the PC candidate, and there’s not much going on inside the suit when the teleprompter is turned off. By the way, I am not wishing for him to fail.I want him to succeed if it means keeping America on track with the Constitution. If not, goodbye, Obama. (P.S. He’s already signed a book deal for his memoirs when his term is over.)
315. JESSICA | 03.20.09
I could not believe he would say something like that. It shows your character when you have to make jokes about people with disabilities. From a mother of a child with special needs, I am not laughing but completely insulted. What if one of his children had special needs? How would he feel?
316. Madfoot | 03.20.09
“I have nothing against the special Olympics. It is a good thing. But the president was elected because of his character and our belief that he is bright and will help this country out of its current mess. So this microscopic comment doesn’t warrant even news coverage.I can hear the GOP now… Obama doesn’t like special needs children….”
I agree–but, if Obama were a white Republican, would you still be saying that?
317. cmh | 03.20.09
Obama needs to start acting presidental. Quit worrying about parties at the whitehouse, who is going to win sports events, worrying about going on late night television shows, and insulting the disabled americans. He needs to start worrying about the budget and if he is going to stay up late, please for something other than a party or a talk show. Nancy Pelosi needs to step down from his position and he needs to try to act like a president and do the job that he was elected to do!!!!
318. Babygirlluvzyou | 03.20.09
Leave him alone! All you conseratives are just waiting for him to make one little comment so you can have a field day, it’s annoying hes not perfect and ethier are any of you-yeah it wasn’t right but in a sense it shows obama isn’t perfect so everybody needs to hop off his and let him get back to his more important matters!
319. Kolby | 03.20.09
He is the president and this is the risk he took by going on the tonight show. He is our representative. He needs to be careful of what he says.
However, attacking his credability because of an off color joke is stupid.
I find it humorous the biggest controversy has nothing to do with obama’s policies and more to do with emphisized comments, it’s the lipstick on the pig thing all over again. I have yet to hear a comment on a real issue during the interview. If you want to get outraged, have an educated complaint about what he said about the problems at hand.
I guess I think differently. If I were a republican I would think, maybe Obama made the comment on purpose to keep us away from the real issues. But maybe that’s because I’m used to a president that pretends to be stupid so people ignore the issues. Pay attention, he is a smart man who is really trying to better this country, because if he doesn’t we ALL loose. Oh, and the AIG bail out happened when Bush was in office (it was mentioned in the interview as well as it being a fact). He said blame me because he wants us to stop pointing fingers. Point it at him, he is our representative, it is his duty to take blame. It’s a sign of a good leader.
320. other guy | 03.20.09
Waaaaa Waaaaa, We got more problems then what he said…. FOCUS!!!
now everyone go back to work!
321. Matt | 03.20.09
If you don’t have a family member with a disability you have no clue what it means to have a physician tell you your child is not like the other kids and never will. People with racial, religious, gender, sexual preference, language issues have a chance to lead normal lives. My child will not. Get over it? My child never will.
More important matters? Education? Health Care? Oh yeah, that has nothing to do with special needs kids. Special needs parents have long since given up the general public and politicians understanding where we are coming from.
All of Obama’s political stooges have come out and apologized for him, but where is the President. He has apologized to every political ally he may have offended, but where is the apology to families other than a statement from one of his White House ’staffers’.
Obama’s comments were offensive and if you don’t know why, I wouldn’t expect you to.
322. Chase | 03.20.09
Let’s not forget that this is the President. He shouldn’t be using a group of people who struggle hard and have disabilities to show how “lame” his bowling skills are.
This isn’t respectful. It’s one thing for someone to say it in private, but to conduct yourself like that on national tv AS the President? Foul. He should be held to higher standard.
Anybody defending it is just plain hypocritical.
323. Vince | 03.20.09
As a brother of someone with special needs let me first say: President Obama supports programs that will actually help people with special needs unlike any of the right wingers who are going to lead an attack againest him over this comment.
Secondly, I am increasingly irritated by the incredible waste of media resources that are wasted on investigation and speculation on the true meaning of silly comments, unimportant fueds, and minor mistakes by celebrities. When will the media realize that they have spent more time covering this garbage that the GENOCIDE that is going on in the Democratic Republic of Congo?
324. MW-Denver | 03.20.09
You guys voted for this moron. He can’t be left alone. Maybe he should take up gardening.
325. dom youngross | 03.20.09
Maybe this was a deliberate attempt by President Obama to pre-emptively misdirect attention — away from the CBO budget deficit analysis that shows Obama’s budget proposal racking up way more in annual deficits than he claims. Or maybe this was just a stupid crass thing to say.
To those who defend President Obama’s derogatory reference to Special Olympics by saying we all say insensitive things at times, well maybe yes that’s true, but NOT ON NATIONAL TV!!! That’s like saying everyone has tinkled in the public swimming pool at some time, to excuse Obama doing so from the high diving board.
326. It’s an Obamanation | 03.20.09
Hey babygirl, maybe he should go back to work instead of acting like a celebrity. The problem with Obama is has no clue as to what he is doing and he goes around asking for trouble be cause he is lost. You guys and your hypocritical drivel. We had to put up with eight years of your disrespect. Now it’s our turn and I for one will criticize Obama at every turn. After all he convinced you knuckleheads that he was better than Bush. Oh by the way; what did his trip to California cost us taxpayers? I hope NBC paid his bill. More hypocrisy.
327. DID NOT VOTE 4 HIM | 03.20.09
I like to think of Obama’s first 60 days in office…WOW! And this little ‘harmless’ comments? HELLO?!?! Bush would have been crucified had he said this just a few months ago by all these liberals…funny how that works…But it is our Savior Barack Obama..he shall do no wrong.
328. Democrite | 03.20.09
Hey Vince #323, Your comment:
Secondly, I am increasingly irritated by the incredible waste of media resources that are wasted on investigation and speculation on the true meaning of silly comments.
My comment:
But here you are commenting, what is more irritating than your comment.
329. jdarts85 | 03.20.09
I just can’t imagine if G.W. Bush had said this how badly he would have been beaten up by the liberal media. It just kills me how large the double standard is when it comes to the “anointed one” Barack Obama. I’ll do you one better, imagine if Sarah Palin had said this, people like Keith Olberman would be calling for her to be publicly executed. Please tell me I’m wrong.
330. Suusan | 03.20.09
The old adage “think before you speak” comes to mind.
He is not an on the spot man. Makes you wonder how blind
the American public really is. Obama can pull of a conversation
when it is written out for him, but, to be left wide open in
a live setting is dangerous. Very eye opening…….
Wake up America.
331. ucla_alum_88@yahoo.com | 03.20.09
For the President of the US to make fun of his bowling score by comparing it to Special Olympics was idiotic. Clearly, he should have apologized.
And for SOOO many people to cover for his mistake (he didn’t mean anything by it; he apologized; it’s nothing regular American’s wouldn’t say; we’re too politically correct; etc.)
Consider this, when ANYONE says ANYTHING even remotely disparaging of black Americans, there is an immediate outcry for their termination. But when our President makes an obvious disparaging comment about a small, under-represented group of disadvantaged people, we should just “get over it.”
Sorry folks, the standard must be consistent … you can’t have it both ways.
332. Kolby | 03.20.09
People are always saying we need a real person in office and not just a politician. Maybe we got one, but I doubt it.
Only we the people can effect change. Do not fall into this trap. If he appologises, what does that do? Fix the state of the union?
Let’s move on to more important issues.
It was offensive, yes, and if obama shows one sign that the comment will effect his policies, and it wasn’t just a mistake in judgement, then he needs to be removed. And I voted for him. We need to stop following parties blindly.
333. Paul’s Mom | 03.20.09
I have a 22 yr old special needs son, specifically non-verbal with autism & OCD. Every day is a challenge! How would any of you parents feel if you were out in a grocery store with your child & some “lady” tells her kids to go see the weird kid making noise in aisle 10? Obama’s ignorant comment, in my opinion, was just as distasteful as the “lady” in the grocery store.
334. RT | 03.20.09
Even as a moderate Republican, I really could care less. If you people want to get hot and bothered by that comment, feel free to. Let me know when you get your head of your ***. I’d like to think people can focus on other important things. Every President has slip ups. If he can get us out of this rut, I’ll be happy.
335. Amused | 03.20.09
Oh I love it when conservatives suddenly become politically correct… LOVE IT!
336. ulum 2004 | 03.20.09
To UCLA ulum
Are you saying black people and people with special needs are the same thing? Because I don’t understand your arguement.
337. Cody | 03.20.09
Seriously. What kind of country are we living in?
The Land of Double Standards.
I have a younger brother who has Aspergers and Obama’s comment really brought out the hypocrites LOL. Seriously; just because sombody holds power doesn’t mean anything they say you have to take seriously.
If Obama said jump off a bridge; all you idiots would do it!
You’re all vultures.
The media is pathetic
I guess the expression Take it with a grain of Salt doesn’t hold much weight in this damn hypersensitive society.
Sensitivity is an evolutionary no-no. Those who are over sensitive really don’t deserve to breed.
338. MD | 03.20.09
Pres. Obama is terrible. He thinks he is God-like. Obama can read a prepared script, which is aimed at pleasing and moving ignorant audiences, but when it comes to him speaking freely, he is aweful. He is the leader of United States of America and should act like it at all times.
On the subject of speeching politically correct, he got elected because he was able to abuse such in that citizens where scared to speak against him for fear of somehow offending another or the african american race, so the should be held responsible and appologise like most in the public eye would. Liberal media would have had a field day if any republican had said such. But seriously, we do have more important issues in the world that we should be focusing on… ie. Obama should be. He needs to stop focusing on sports, and lead our country, which i think he will fail to do and be in the books as a J Carter
339. Steve | 03.20.09
News flash time, folks! People are too “sensitive” in this PC fixated world! We have a lot more current issues to worry about, ie: the recession, AIG, & two wars simultaneously going on. Who gives a rats patootie what he said - as long as he leads us out of this meltdown we are in. Thoughtless maybe - but not out of meanness or spite, and he DID apologize promptly. People ALWAYS getting their bowels in an uproar over the small sh!t!! Good thing ol’ Georgie didn’t utter such “terrible” words - the liberal media would have tarred & feathered him, for sure! To paraphrase Austin (#3) “Move On!”
340. BrianK | 03.20.09
Seems like Joe “Gaffe” Biden is wearing off on Obama!
Apology? Bwah! Hah! Hah! Hah! Hah! It’ll never happen.
Oh, the ‘apology’ should come once the TRUTH is revealed over the AIG Scandal. And I’m not referring to executive bonuses. This goes much, much deeper… The bonuses are a cover.
Blow the Cover! Let’s see what’s REALLY going on in Washington and at AIG.
Washington will have hundreds of new residents once all the politicians with their hands in the cookie jar are busted… and good ol’ Obama is one of them.
God Bless America.
341. Volker | 03.20.09
WHAT’S THE PROBLEM ? ? ?
Sorry but I really can’t see that Obama did anything wrong! Everybody who tries to suck a negative interpretation, on what he said, out of his fingers should get a life ! ! !
I understand that people might not like Obama (Im not one of them) but making a big issue out of “jokes” like that is just cheap!
I mean what the ****… Im happy that America has a President which isn’t totally up tight and doesn’t belong in a old peoples home but has some energy and is handling everything in a more human way….
342. Jason | 03.20.09
Why do people think he hasn’t apologized? He called Tim Shriver (chairman of the Special Olymics for those who have no clue) and apologized before the taped interview even aired. It was dumb, he was embarrassed, and he should be. I hope it raises awareness about the Special Olympics campaign to end the “r-word,” which kicks off in full-force at the end of this month. Hopefully something good can come of this.
344. Kathleen | 03.20.09
I cannot believe that the main tv stations do not make mention of this terrible slight to the handicapped. If this where George Bush or Salin Palin or John Mc Cain it would be all over the press. They are seriously not able to see this because of their messiah. I want to throw up. Where is the reported journalism of yesterday. Put OBAMA on the carpet for this, as you would for the conservatives, (who would never speak in these terms) You make me sick!!!
346. David | 03.20.09
To start my sister was mentally retarded due to a medical malpractice incident at birth.
I thought the comment was funny, it was in jest not saying something out of line. I agree that Obama seemed like he was talking among friends and that level of comfort I find refreshing from a huge political figure.
Sarah Palin just needs to go away, I don’t care what she thinks about anything. “I was shocked” She’s shocked when Russia isn’t there, its not surprising that she wants to bring up some drama to keep her name in the public’s ear.
Political correctness really has come too far over the years. I enjoy someone that “goes against the norm” and doesn’t coddle the nation.
People really just need to stop reading into things and take some comments at face value. That’s really not going to change anytime soon, but I can hope.
347. sara manning | 03.20.09
As someone who has a mentally retarded brother who has participated in the Special Olympics, I personally take offense to obamas’ comment about his bowling skills being like those who are in the Special Olympics. As for the remark of what if President Bush had made the comment would everyone be hard on him, he would of never made the comment because his wife works with handicap children and was a teacher. I teach students who have disabilities in the public school system and feel that as our NEW president he should be trying to lead the country not cracking jokes with Jay Leno. Our country has real problems and we need people in the administration who will work to unify the country not make fun of those who have disabilities. He should of thought before he spoke. I imagine parent of children with disabilities and those in the special olympics will not find this amusing.Since he does not have a child, a sibling or relative who has ever been in the special olympics he can not relate. So much for working on education in public schools.
348. William | 03.20.09
I wonder if Letterman will show that in his ridiculous skit “Great Moments in Presidential Speeches”. Of course not, Letterman, like Winfrey, Fonda, Penn and the rest are Socialist wannabees who have little qualification to espouse their views but use their overrated stage to force them on the “uneducated” public. I place “uneducated” in quotations because that is how those morons view the general public who actually pay their way in life.
349. Parent of a special needs child | 03.20.09
I was not going to comment publically as we are use to this sort of thing.
I wish we all would not be so comfortable with the comment.
I am just disappointed.
350. Change Yall Wanted | 03.20.09
Dope…hes a dope, pure and simple. Here’s the change that %51 of you voted for, so how do ya like it? hypocrisy on taxation, on cabinets nominations, on bailout money, and I can only imagine whats to come from this poor excuse for your Democratic lead… You Liberals are a funny bunch thats for sure…
351. Carol | 03.21.09
You people all need to lighten up. When someone calls someone else “retarded” they are not putting a label on the special needs kids, but rather showing an able minded person that they are performing below their level of competence (they have a perfectly good mind but aren’t using it to their abilities). Sheesh you all need to get a life and get off these blogsites. What a time waster. Maybe instead you could be volunteering your time with the local Special Olympics organization and really show how much you care. Words come easily, actions speak louder.
352. John B. | 03.21.09
Everyone makes mistakes, we cant forget that. yeah, it was a horrible thing to say. But look at it from his point of view. Anything he says could get twisted up and one slip-up could cost him a lot. thats a great deal of pressure, just because he made one accident doesnt mean it’s the end of the world
I dont care who you are, no matter what you do or say, people are still prejudice in some way, we all joke with our friends and use “politically incorrect” statements to express them. I’m sure it wasnt his intentions to make people angry, but you try getting used to billions of people watching your every move and critisize every line you speak, its hard, your going to slip up sometime with-out meaning to.
I didnt even vote for this guy but damn, why dont we snap back to reality and get a grip? were only human, we were born with flaws, even the greatest scholars had their faults. So if you want to pick on someone for being “careless” why not Einstein? if he was so smart then why couldnt he see the devastation to come with his Atomic Bombs? He flattened two whole cities, vaporized thousands of civilians and plauged the survivors with radiation for years to come.
Maybe the magnitude of Obama’s statement wasn’t that powerful, but it just goes to show that when your in such a spotlight everything is picked through a fine-tooth comb and theres no escaping it.
Looking at some of the comments…it almost seems like he did do all that.
Step in his shoes for a second and try it out then
If you read all this then thank you for reading it.
353. mimi | 03.21.09
“President Obama should focus on the more serious issues like the stimulus plan.” Are you serious? Is he not? Hey, what was said is said. It may not have been proper, nevertheless, he seem doing the right thing for our country so far.
354. mimi | 03.21.09
Hey, what was said is said. It may not have been proper, nevertheless, he seem doing the right thing for our country so far.
355. cathy | 03.21.09
i am suprised to see how so many people here can come up with so many excuses for Obama. Like him or not, wrong is wrong. IF YOUR child said that to you- you would not approve (I would hope) Stop making excuses for people you’ve never even met. I know he’s human, but that was totally inappropriate and shows his real feeling on the issue at hand. I would never even think to say something like that, how about you? Was the comment acceptable to you??? Would you laugh if your spouse said that??? Guess it goes to show your real morals.
356. Luke | 03.21.09
The problem is not so much that someone made a disparaging quote about Special Olympics, this is done every day and Special Olympians and their families do “get over it”. The problem is this is coming from the President of the United States whom is arguably the most liberal President we have ever known and is supposedly a champion of all people of disadvantages. I am the father of a Special Olympian and I do take it as an insult. This is basically being swept under the rug, if Bush had made the comment it would be all over the national media but it hasn’t. I was hoping for better from Obama.
357. Danford | 03.21.09
Get over it. We are all handicapped in some way. Good and bad are individual perceptions. The above panoply is proof of that.
Governor Palin’s comments are, by the way, political and not in defense of her child or anyone else’s child. Members of both parties do this sort of thing because it’s what politicians do.
358. Laura Webber | 03.21.09
Horrible, horrible. Aside from his egregiously immoral lack of sensitivity, his lack of JUDGEMENT is apparent. Lack of judgement in all things. This is never has been a leader. He puts on his mask & gives good speeches, that’s all.
He’s been a phony all along.
359. etc. | 03.21.09
how much dumb [stuff] did W say while he was in office?
this isn’t that big a deal.
360. P.A. | 03.21.09
I like President Obama, but his joke was wrong and hurtful to millions of people, and it alienated a large segment of our society (given this comment came from the leader of our nation). The comment was akin to racial “asides” that have been the demise of many a careers of those in the public eye (and I do want President Obama to remain in his job). The “offhand remark” response from the White House Staffer and the comments on this thread that its a “just a mistake” or “no big deal” demonstrate how far we need to come in accepting and respecting people with developmental disabilities as valued members of society.
362. David L. | 03.21.09
Please, President Obama is human being who misspoke during an off the cuff conversation. I’m sure he cares more for handicap or challenge people more than most.
363. North | 03.21.09
I’m a supporter of Obama, but as president, he has to attain the height of political correctness. He failed.
365. PoliticallyIncorrect | 03.22.09
it’s the “r-word” now? If you PC people keep doing this, 10 years from now, we won’t be able to use the word special since it’ll have some horrifying connotation.
Words do not have power. People have power. The reason that cuss words are so prevalent is because it’s “cool” to cuss. If we made it so that every 5 year old knows the cuss words and say them in their adorably high-pitched voices, I bet that we wouldn’t say those words after the initial laughter died out.
For some reason, mentally incompetent sounds way more insulting than retarded.
I’m sorry, but the president is not a deity that does not make mistakes. For all of you that are attacking his integrity for his ONE statement, get over yourselves. Please. As much as you all like to think it, you all have made mistakes at some time in your life. Frankly, I am beginning to suspect that the reason that he is put on this pedestal where his every movement is scrutinized by people who are ready to tear him to shreds is because of his race. I understand some dissonance, but this willingness to bring him down is alarming to me. Maybe it’s because I’ve been around moderates instead of really conservative or really liberal citizens and this is all normal.
Or maybe it’s because we’re all jaded because of the recession and looking for a scapegoat. The average person tends to blame the person in power at the time of crisis, rather than looking back and poring over the events that built up and cascaded into this avalanche of a recession.
Whatever happened to the grudging respect or even camaraderie that helped bridge the parties together?
366. Susana | 03.22.09
his first mistake was appearing on a late night show. has any other president done so? No. How ridiculous, does he honestly think he’s a superstar or something? Lame. Oh and read this clearly… u complained about Bush? Obama will be worse. Just wait. Time will tell.
367. SolarGreen | 03.22.09
Thank you #38 soccermama.
I too have a disability in that I stutter. I am not offended at a stuttering joke. I am offended at the 3rd stuttering joke. Obama was obviously making fun of himself and not others.
There are more important issues. This is quite a minor gaffe when compared to those of his predecessor. It is nice to have a President whom will go out and have a conversation and whom admits his falability.
368. momofanathlete | 03.22.09
This response is for Dallas Guy, Joe #103 BomBom, Jonny #75 ThinkAboutIt#31, Hemi, Mike #92, and Ekoj #109 comments, Most of you chose to uses the Retard word in your comments which just goes to shown that none of your have a heart for those with special needs or you would not choose to use those words which is very offending. All of you apparently use this word daily but hopefully you do not EVER use this word to a person with special needs. They have enough to deal with in their everyday lives that they do not need to hear that kind of talk to make them feel even more different from the rest of the world. Any adult that does not have the common courtesy for a persons feelings should feel so awful and any apology is not going to bring back their self esteem that is hurt by unthoughtful remarks, whether they are a mistake or not. Our president, which I have a hard time calling him, because he has not proven to be very qualified to be the president, has lost alot of supporters through his comment. My daughter is a special olympics athlete and has the kindest heart and all the athletes that I have worked with in the special olympics all have the kindest demeanor about them and would never even think about ever hurting anyone through words or actions. Which just goes to show that you people who have commented and made fun of the special needs people through words could learn alot about what it truly means to think with your heart before you speak and think about what others may feel by your words. Maybe Obama did not mean to be hurtful but nonetheless it did hurt people with special needs and their families and friends. You cannot mend a heart that has been hurt by words.
369. upsetmom | 03.22.09
For those of you that commented that this would bring about more publicity for the special olympics, that is the last thing that people with special needs and their families have to think about or worry about. We are just thankful that there is such a wonderful organization where kids with special needs can be an athlete and be accepted by people that have the same struggles that they have. So for those of you that think so petty about this wonderful organization should maybe get involved with special olympics if you have so much time on your hands and maybe you will have your eyes opened to what these ****** go through on a daily basis. Trust me it WILL open your eyes and give you a different perspective on your own lives and how thankful you should be that you do not have to struggle like they do. And I am sure there are some of you that are too closed minded to ever change but one can only hope.
371. Dalia | 03.24.09
I thought that it was insensitive of the President to make such a remark on national television. My daughter has Autism and she is involved in Special Olympics in Key West. I’m sure if he had a child with a Disability, he wouldn’t have made such a remark. He needs to think before inserting his foot in his mouth!!!
373. Nancy | 03.26.09
Everyone can go back and forth defending or criticizing Obama’s undeniably insensitive remark. It is indefensible. Remarks made like that so casually made do not represent a “one time mistake or slip up”. Those kind of casual insults come from years of mean spirited thinking AND speaking like that among friends or family. It isn’t a one time thing. That kind insensitivity is bred and built and practiced. That he said it so “comfortably and unaware” means he talks and thinks like that in his day to day life, throughout his life. I have begun to see a mean spirited, petty man poking out of that suavely dressed, articulate “speech reader”. I have taught my children that when you are wrong or have wronged someone, you should apologize immediatly and do it face to face, looking into that persons’ eyes. That he left that very important apology to an aide is a shameful disgrace and another indication of his character.
374. Olivia | 03.30.09
What was he thinking ???? i have a friend who has CB and he felt so awful!!!!
I did not watch the show bot i still think that what he said was mean.( no offense to the cheif)
375. Livvie | 03.30.09
“Don’t get your knickers in a knot. nothing is solved and it just makes you walk funny.”
376. Eric Salzmann | 03.31.09
He can apologize from now until he is no longer president, it doesn’t change the fact that his initial response was completely insensitive and wrong. It shows the true man and it scares me that he represents our country. Our first president of color is prejudice of people with disabilities(how ironic)
I am a Christian, so I must model my life after Christ and even though he was wrong, I must forgive him in the same way God has forgiven me. Besides, he is still our President whch is why we must stand behind him and believe he just made a mistake in judgment. “God Bless you, Barack!”
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Jimmy Orr has worked in politics for the majority of his professional career working for two U.S. Senators, two Governors and one President. Most recently, Orr served as White House Spokesman and Internet Director for President George W. Bush and Special Advisor to Governor Schwarzenegger for Internet Communications.
David Cook is Washington bureau chief of The Christian Science Monitor and host of the Monitor's newsmaker breakfasts. He was the Monitor's editor from 1994 to 2001. Cook is a graduate of Principia College, served in the U.S. Army, was a Bagehot Fellow at Columbia University, and is a member of the Gridiron Club, Washington's oldest journalistic organization.
1. Jessica | 03.20.09
Where’s the apology? I see the staffer using the ol “He didn’t mean anything by it” excuse (translation: “You know what he meant” *wink, wink*) but I don’t see where he admits Obama erred and actually offers an apology to the Special Olympics.