FROM ABC NEWS
President Obama Jokes About Being a Bad Bowler: 'It's Like the Special Olympics'
March 19, 2009 8:56 PM
The first appearance by a sitting president on "The Tonight Show" may well end up being the last.
President Obama, in his taping with Jay Leno Thursday afternoon, attempted to yuk it up with the funnyman, and ended up insulting the disabled.
Towards the end of his approximately 40-minute appearance, the president talked about how he's gotten better at bowling and has been practicing in the White House bowling alley.
He bowled a 129, the president said.
"That's very good, Mr. President," Leno said sarcastically.
It's "like the Special Olympics or something," the president said.
When asked about the remark, the White House said the president did not intend to offend.
"The president made an off-hand remark making fun of his own bowling that was in no way intended to disparage the Special Olympics," White House deputy press secretary Bill Burton said. "He thinks the Special Olympics is a wonderful program that gives an opportunity for people with disabilities from around the world."
Facing tough questions about the performance of his Treasury Secretary, $165 million in bonuses for AIG officials and anticipating a fight over his $3.55 trillion budget, the president has not had a particularly good week, and it's unlikely this will help matters.
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
10 comments:
165 million giveaway; it's like the presidential special olympics. Sorry, but somebody had to say it.
Yeah he is a dirtball.
Well, Obam is special...
I can imagine Bill Clinton calling him on the phone....
"Dude,you should have just played the sax!"
See what happens when there are no TelePrompTers.
political correctness again. you cant say anything these days without making some group mad.
It was a joke
Look, I'm not too happy with some of the things he's done since being elected, but people are scrutinizing his every word to find something else to jump on. I'll bet every single person who comments here has made "Special Olympics" or "short bus" jokes. Yes, I know..."But he's the President and shouldn't say that..." but it seems to me that people who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.
If we want to criticize the president, why don't we choose subjects of substance rather than casual remarks that seem to be okay for the rest of us to say? I myself am not too keen on tearing embryos apart for stem cells.
In reality, I could care less about this comment, but I have to wonder what would have been said had it been President Bush saying it ather that President Obama. There would have been outrage, Rev.'s Sharpton and Jackson would be on every morning talk show stating how prejudice the administration was adn there would be Special Olympics picket groups outin force by the weekend. Political correctness has gone way too far. No one wants a generic heritage, but if your not Carlos Mencia or Chris Rock, you can not joke about a touchy subject with out being labeled a racist. Constant double standards.
Good thing Bush never said anything stupid that didnt make sense.
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