Obama’s Special Olympics’ faux pas
President Obama is catching flack today for having a “Bidenesque” moment on NBC’s “Tonight Show.”
Here’s what happened: The president told host Jay Leno that he had been practicing at the White House bowling alley but wasn’t pleased with a score of 129.Leno said that score wasn’t bad. It could have stopped there but Obama then came back with this zinger: “It was like the Special Olympics or something,” which prompted laughter from the audience, according to an AP article.
But today, some people are not finding that a laughing matter. The internet – and even our Vent – were filled with people weighing in on the matter.
What do you think?
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104 comments Add your comment
Impeach Now
March 20th, 2009
8:55 am
This is what happens when the Clown-In-Chief doesn’t his politically correct staff typing words into a teleprompter for him to read. He’s just a sham who can’t be expected to think for himself and we are just beginning to see the harm this will cause the country. I say impeach him now while we still have a viable country. We’ll take out chances with Biden for awhile.
Russ
March 20th, 2009
8:57 am
wow….that’s messed up…no class
inou
March 20th, 2009
9:00 am
As offensive as it is, I’m more offended at his arrogance in blatantly saying to put the blame on him for the AIG bonus giveaway. That is exactly where the blame lies and he needs to do something about it. He’s so sure he’s exempt from accountability. What a pompous jerk.
socialismsux
March 20th, 2009
9:01 am
The man thinks he’s god and can do no wrong.
amitheonly1
March 20th, 2009
9:08 am
you all are kidding me right? This is just an avenue for you to vent your dislike of this man. We all say things that we shouldn’t on a daily basis – If we were called out on everything we say, we all would be in trouble. I am so tired of for lack of a better term “common” people taking others that are in the public eye and making a big deal of something when they actually ACT HUMAN. ex: Miley cyrus & one of the Jonas brother’s tugging at her eys. Imus making comments he shouldn’t / Rush on a daily basis saying what he says. GET REAL PEOPLE. At the end of the day he is a human being that happens to hold the title of MR. President. HE WON GET OVER IT – IF HE CAN’T FIX IT – THEN IN 2012 DO SOMETHIG
Jim
March 20th, 2009
9:09 am
I’m very much an Obama supporter, but let’s be fair…we’d be raking any other president over the coals for this comment, so Obama is going to have to suffer through the consequences of this idiotic gaffe. But I also do love to read the ‘outrage’ of the conservatives out there. Nothing puts a smile on my face more than a ticked off evangelical.
Noon
March 20th, 2009
9:09 am
As a parent of a child who participated in Special Olympics, I find Mr. Obama’s comments inexcusable. You would think the President of the USA would have better moral fiber and integrity.
Secondly, what in the world is the President of the USA doing on the Tonight Show while the Country’s economy is falling a part? Seems to me Mr. Obama needs to get his priorities straight or maybe he does in his eyes.
Nina
March 20th, 2009
9:09 am
I love Obama, but yeah…he should not have said that.
Turkey Slayer
March 20th, 2009
9:10 am
Just another example of what happens when “O” doesn’t have a teleprompter telling him what to say. I just love this guy. He’s more fun that a barrell full of monkeys. Oops, hope I didn’t offent the primates croud. LMAO
RM
March 20th, 2009
9:14 am
I have a lot more respect for Special Olympians than I do for this Buffoon-in-Chief.
Mike
March 20th, 2009
9:18 am
Actually, as the Republican father of a special needs child who participates in Special Olympics, I think people need to lighten up. Most people who have a special needs child have a certain “dark humor” about it anyway. Enough of the feigned outrage and political correctness!
willie
March 20th, 2009
9:20 am
He’s human…it just slipped out. Let it go.
Citizen of the World
March 20th, 2009
9:21 am
Oops! The president made an impolitic remark. Now let’s hear all the people who ordinarily rail against political correctness rake him over the coals for his lapse, simply because they don’t like him.
bill purcell
March 20th, 2009
9:22 am
It’s a shame that someone who promised so much hope and change, is now showing that he has the same stereotypes and uses the same derogatory rhetoric that keeps a people down, it is ironic, too, that these are the same types of language that racists would of used about him during the civil rights era, it is time to stand up for the rights and for respect for people experiencing disability and it should start with the president. I’m ashamed and disappointed in him. He should apologize.
Impeach Now
March 20th, 2009
9:23 am
To: amitheonly1: It’s very telling that you compare the “American-Idol-President” to celebrities like Miley Cyrus, the Jonas Brothers, Imus, and Rush but, let me tell ya babe, these people aren’t the president, we didn’t elect them to the highest office in the land, and their gaffes don’t matter – it’s what keeps Entertainment Tonight and TMZ in business. When the president (small ‘p’ – that’s how I feel) belittles the Special Olympics on a TV show he needs to be raked over the coals and/or beaten in the head by some disabled child’s crutches.
Offended
March 20th, 2009
9:24 am
Mr. Obama was just making fun of his bowling by comparing it to the Special Olympics. I guess that makes it okay for any to blame their shortcomings on being “just like the Special Olympics.” Maybe all of these financial insitutions can use that as their excuse for losing hundreds of billions of dollars. “yeah, are traders are so bad, it’s like the Special Olympics on the trading floor.”
Sad, Mr. Obama, very sad.
Atown
March 20th, 2009
9:25 am
I agree he shouldn’t have been on the Tonight Show anyway, but everyone has a “slip” of the tongue or says something that is humerous to some and offends others… Welcome to life people
Get Real
March 20th, 2009
9:25 am
OMG!!!!! I cannot believe people are attacking him for this. Where was all this outrage when Bush was letting the American Economy fall into a balck hole? Where was all this media attention when Bush put us in a war we should not have entered, that has cost of lives and too much money? Where was all this outrage when greed took over America and American morals and values vanished? Get real. Don’t ever watch any comedian and laugh you hypocrites!
Still Offended
March 20th, 2009
9:28 am
I wonder if Eric Holder will come out and say that we are a “nation of cowards” when it comes to addressing and resolving Special Needs issues. I doubt it very seriously.
Obama's Teleprompter
March 20th, 2009
9:32 am
This is what happens when this clown doesn’t have his beloved teleprompter. I think it’s funny he mentioned the Special Olympics because that is exactly what I think of his presidency so far.
Actually, I have to apologize, it’s not right to belittle the Special Olympics by comparing them to Obama.
LSU
March 20th, 2009
9:33 am
Just imagine what you obamanites would be saying if Bush or Mcain had said something like this, congrats on your double standard. You people make me sick, I hope they rake Curious George over the coals, Get ready for him and the Man in the big Yellow Hat to run this country into the ground.
The Truth Comes Out
March 20th, 2009
9:33 am
He needs to be working on the problems our country is facing instead of his bowling average. The gaffe was just typical babbling from him when the teleprompter dosent have something for the current resident of the white house to say.
Bailey
March 20th, 2009
9:35 am
Don’t respect the man at all, but let’s face it – he didn’t mean anything by the comment. This is exactly what is wrong with this country!! People need to lighten up!!!! It is not all gloom and doom and we can laugh at mistakes people make while speaking in public without their prompter!!
I’m with Noon – What was he doing on the Tonight Show anyway!!!!??? Oh, I guess he has nothing more important to do!!
Honey Pie
March 20th, 2009
9:35 am
Forgive them father for they know not what they do………
Mike
March 20th, 2009
9:38 am
As the father of a mentally challenged man (who by the way is an excellent bowler), I take exception to the President’s comment. Special Olympics particpants are a very excellent class of people. They not only take pride in their skills, but they they take pride in their sportsmanship and their integrity. What does bowling like a Special Olympics athlete mean, anyway? For that matter, what is so different about a Special Olympian? Do they not train as hard, sweat as much or care as much as a “regular” athlete? The President does not get a pass on this. It was not funny. It was hurtful, inconsiderate and arrogant. He is supposed to mind his words and control his speech. His is everyone’s President, including Special Olympians. To be honest, it was more hurtful that the audience laughed. What a horrible society we live in!!!!
Wary of 'Impeach' nutjobs
March 20th, 2009
9:39 am
To “Impeach Now”: First of all, take a second to proof your notes before pressing “Submit.” I’d hate for you to be judged by the slip of your fingers while typing. I will, however, judge you based on the content of your message – which is absurd. Unless you were vastly more outraged by President Bush’s tenure in office than you were this incident, you have ZERO credibility.
Sarah
March 20th, 2009
9:39 am
After reading about the cheap gifts given to the visiting Prime Minister of Great Britian and his wife from the Obama’s, nothing surporises about this void of class couple. Class and good breeding are not something you can fake, nor is it something that others can thrust upon you, you either have it or you don’t. They don’t. Why is anyone surpriseed they can get by with this? They’ve been afforded double standards from the beginning. Look at the fake outrage his people had over the remark Rush made about him wanting Obama’s socialistic policies to fail when nothing was said about James Carvelle, on the morning of the 9-11 attacks saying in an interview that he wanted Bush to fail. Obama should stick to popping his chewing gum, going to basketball games and high fiving his homies, he’s more in his element there than pretending to be President.
Jessy
March 20th, 2009
9:41 am
You people disgust me. This man has been in office all of 2 freakin months!!! He’s already shown himself to be more of a leader by taking responsibilty for what others have so greedily stolen. I still haven’t heard a word about the billions spent/stolen via no bid contracts for a war that should never have happened. People this is nothing but a distraction. OUR President is dealing with a host of very serious issues, that have to be resolved. Shut the ‘F’ up with these baseless complaints, get behind him and lets get this country back into a position of leadership and power. Because right now we are all in the same boat. The boat is leaking jobs, the passengers are sick and aging, and all able bodied people need to be rowing, or I vote we throw your lazy complaining asses off the boat!
Tom
March 20th, 2009
9:43 am
It was a joke. And a funny one. Lighten up. People get all torqued up over every little thing today. Political correctness run amok.
BRETT SHEPHERD
March 20th, 2009
9:43 am
BIG F’N DEAL. ALL YOU SORRY ASS REPUBLICANS ARE PATHETIC. IF THAT COMMENT PISSES YOU OFF, THEN IT SHOWS HOW YOU ARE REACHING TO FIND ANYTHING TO CRITICIZE ABOUT THIS MAN. HELL THOSE OF US THAT DESPISE BUSH COULD COMMENT FOR THE REST OF OUR LIVES ABOUT HIS QUOTES AND MOST OF ALL HIS PERFORMANCE AS A PRESIDENT.
BUSH LIED AND GOT US INTO A WAR THAT WILL DO FAR MORE DAMAGE, THAN A COMMENT ABOUT THE SPECIAL OLYMPICS. I DON’T THINK THE SPECIAL OLYMPICS COMMENT IS GOING TO CAUSE DEATH OF HUMAN LIVES AND THE ECONOMY. NOT TO MENTION..THE TREATMENT THOSE TROOPS GOT WHEN THEY CAME HOME..GO TO THE PARK IN DOWNTOWN AND MEET SOME OF THEM.
ALL YOU ANTI OBAMA PEOPLE CAN K M A!
BRETT SHEPHERD
PEACHTREE CORNERS(NORCROSS)
LSU
March 20th, 2009
9:45 am
Jessy (Jackson)
If you or obama are the ones in charge of this boat, then throw my lazy ass off the boat. I’ll take MY MONEY and keep to myself.
Honey Pie
March 20th, 2009
9:47 am
Sarah, do you need a hug from a homie?
Tom
March 20th, 2009
9:48 am
BRETT SHEPHERD – and who says those who attacked Obama are Republicans. I am a Republican, don’t like Obama, and thought it was funny ( http://blogs.ajc.com/chatter/2009/03/20/obamas-special-olympics-gaffe/comment-page-1/#comment-2241 ). It is much more likely the Politically Correct uptight Dems are doing the complaining.
Impeach Now
March 20th, 2009
9:50 am
Sorry – my handlers didn’t proofread my comments before I submitted them for your approval. Too bad the president’s (small ‘p’) didn’t either. But, you know what? I’m not hear to please you or to win your approval – you don’t matter as much as a pile of krappe to me. And Brett – there’s a little key on the left that says “caps lock” – please turn it off before you post again, moron.
Andrew
March 20th, 2009
9:52 am
Oh grow up people! We’ve got bigger problems to discuss than a silly remark on a ‘talk’ show. Pathetic.
Kev
March 20th, 2009
9:55 am
This might be the first time that the Obama administration can’t place the blame on Bush and Cheney. See what happens when there’s no teleprompter.
neo-Carlinist
March 20th, 2009
9:56 am
This dust-up is just another example of business as usual in DC. For a nation founded (in part) on the premise of free speech, we sure have thin skin when it comes to humor (let us not forget, Jay Leno made his bones as a stand-up comedian). Most of us know of a mentally retarded adult. I have worked as a volunteer at a Special Olympics event in the past. Guess what people; Special Olympians are not offended, because they lack the ability to be offended. More importantly, the retarded adults I have met are devoid of malice. They do not engage in heated debates about political ideology. They do not judge others via race, sexuality or income. In many ways, this is what makes them “special” in my book. I for one am more offended and outraged that non-Special Olympians/non-retarded adults would attempt use the incident to grind a (pathetic) political axe, and present the faux outrage as an effort to “defend” or speak up for the mentally disabled. As I said, mentally disabled adults don’t know they’re disabled. I think it would be funny to interview some retarded adults and have one of ‘em say; “…the other day at school I had to play the President in some mock government excercise and I felt like freaking George Bush/Barrack Obama. It was embarassing…” I find it amazing that the defenders of capitalism/Democracy believe the strong survive and the weak perish, as if a competent exploiting a Special Olympian is somehow more offensive than business as usual on Wall Street or Capitol Hill.
Laf
March 20th, 2009
9:57 am
Maybe Brett was holding down the shift button. o.0 It was a funny comment, why would you want to EXCLUDE a certain demographic from humor? In my opinion, it’s even more wrong to assume that special needs or disabled people must be protected and can’t be teased. Let’s be honest, how many of you have actually been to the Special Olympics? There are plenty of hilarious moments along with the amazing accomplishments. It isn’t unreasonable to note that even the best disabled athlete cannot compete on the same level with an able-bodied one, including bowlers. Obama wasn’t saying, “disabled people suck”, he was saying, “I was sucking considering I’m able-bodied.” And that is funny. Lighten up people.
Sarah
March 20th, 2009
10:03 am
If President Arrogant and Ego could sit his butt down in the Oval Office at a decent hour each morning and work a full day and stop always being in front of a camera and the much need teleprompter, perhaps he could attempt to do the job the Confederacy of Dunces called American Democrats elected him to do. Sorry folks, just like some of you all hated everything about Bush and never supported him, we have the same right with this guy. get use to it. There’s much more to come. And Brett Sheppard, you can all cap your anger and outrage all day long but you won’t change my mind. The fact that you admitted in public and in writing that you live in Norcross disqualifies you from any arguement with substance.
JESSICA
March 20th, 2009
10:05 am
I am sick of america nit picking on things that does not matter. So he made a mistake and stated a comment that was in bad taste in regards to the special olympics. However Bush made PLENTY of comments that were WRONG was he persecuted for those no he remained our president for 8yrs which didnt do anything for any of us but make himself and countless americans rich and drive us into a HOLE. Now people expect Obama to solve 8+yrs (this problem started before bush) with in his first two months of office. He has put into place more programs and laws than any president I can remember and i am somewhat young to begin our healing process. Now we as americans and a country and only wait and see what happens. It takes time just like it took time to put us in this crap hole. Him going on Leno was great he connected he explained and honestly it took away from the constant bickering and MEDIA interpertations of whats going on. Plenty of people watch leno and we know this and that was the best way to talk to those people including myself. He tells us how it is and trys to break it down so we know whats going on. Honestly if we didnt have this debt and problems no one would have cared. GOD PEOPLE GET OVER YOURSELVES AND QUIT COMPLAINING. IT WONT SOLVE ANYTHING! WE ALL ARE STILL BROKE!
Honey Pie
March 20th, 2009
10:13 am
Sarah, I still have a homie lined up to give you a hug…..
Impeach Now
March 20th, 2009
10:15 am
Jessica – wow – I can’t believe you actually have the sense to admit that President (capitol ‘p’) Bush made, in your words, COUNTLESS AMERICANS RICH! Yes, more people made more money and increased their standard of living under the Bush administration than under any other – thank you for pointing that out. I (a middle class guy) increased my net worth significantly under Bush as did most Americans. Luckily, I made some great investments the week before Obama took office and will do well despite what he does to ruin the economy. My money and investments are safe because they were made smartly – I hope you did the same.
LSU
March 20th, 2009
10:16 am
Hey Jessica
Remember obama promised every one a job and a chicken in the pot as soon as was elected.
obama was not, is not, and never will be the right person for the president.
By the way if all you liberal democraps were able to bash Bush from day one we have the same right with obama. Just because he is black doesn’t mean he gets a pass on all the F-ups so far since being elected.
JJ
March 20th, 2009
10:16 am
Dear outraged GOP fools,
Every time our former President said nuclear incorrectly I cringed, the man couldn’t speak correctly and mispronouncing words revealed what total idiot he is and always will be.
Further, W had many gaffes and blunders during his long 8 year term – those of us who didn’t support him were told – he’s our President, show respect. Music groups were boycotted and shamed because of statements they made, people were called anti-American because they didn’t support a war he got us into – somehow though Obama makes an offhand comment that was insensitive, and you all are ready to toss him out of office.
Do you really think we’d be better off with McCain nodding off in meetings or Palin continuing to prove to everyone that she has no more education than your average high school student? Really?
JIM
March 20th, 2009
10:16 am
Political correctness is a fascinating concept. It only applies to those mean, uncaring conservatives and they are viciously attacked for any ill-spoken word. Liberals, who all are known for their acceptance of everyone and everything, and for never saying an unkind word are misunderstood, simply mis-spoke or their words were taken out of context.
I wonder which of the two groups pays more taxes, without being caught for not paying, which gives more to charity, and which are the real elitists.
BTW, I am not a member of a particular political party or Evangelical
Independent thinker
March 20th, 2009
10:17 am
Appearing on Leno suits Obama’s “pop star” image. I wish him every success, as it means I am better off. However, this “slip of the tongue” is a huge gaffe for someone in his position. However, I am not shocked. He cannot speak correctly without a teleprompter or script. If this were a conservative who made this slip, they would already be impeached. Personally, it is probably not that offensive in the overall scheme of things, but the double standard of the media once again rears its ugly head.
I guess I better go complete my tax forms…oh yeah, I can NOT submit them and claim it was an honest mistake!!
Independent thinker
March 20th, 2009
10:19 am
Hey JJ…Jimmy Carter majored in Nuclear Engineering and he still can’t say it correctly, so get off that horse, okay?
Emyrld
March 20th, 2009
10:22 am
Bet none of these “oh I’m sooo offended” folks have ever given any thought or consideration, not to mention aide or assistance to any ‘Special’ people or to the ‘Special Olympics’ cause!! Use your feigned outrage and vent to do some good in your lives. This is as we know just a ‘nit pick’ for any little thing that you can meander against our President simply because you do not like him. Get a life!!! At the end of the day …he will prove to be our Greatest President ever…and therein lies the rub!!!!
Hal
March 20th, 2009
10:26 am
That statement made me cringe when he said it and yes I am offended he needs to apologize but lets stick to this incident. It breaks my heart to see the venom that is forwarded at our president while our former president was was just as or more of a gaffe machine than our current. I see whats going on here and you all know too. Please everyone lets just get beyond that issue.
Hal
March 20th, 2009
10:31 am
Please lets stop with the impeach line folks. If our previous administrations were not impeached for their crimes against our own people, why would you impeach a man for some insensitive statement? Come on with the double standards!! Unbelievable, I didnt see this same venom when Mr Limbaugh said that he wants our president to fail! I didnt see this same venom when there were no WMD found in Iraq! Cmon folks, lets be fair.