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Home › Politics

President Obama on Leno | 03/20/2009 8:20 am

UPDATE: After Discussing Bonuses, Obama Makes 'Special' Gaffe on Tonight Show (Video)

By The Staff at wowOwow.com
© Getty Images

Barack Obama traded jokes with Jay Leno last night when he appeared on "The Tonight Show." But not all of his jokes hit the mark.

Things went well throughout the entire interview, which largely revolved around the economy and AIG bonus outrage. Of the latter, Mr. Obama said he was "stunned" when he heard about the bailed-out company’s plans to pad its executives’ pockets. As for the economy, the president said Americans realize it will take some time to dig ourselves out of the mess, and he’s confident Treasury Secretary Geithner’s up to the task. He also insisted that he’s ultimately to blame for anything that goes wrong: "Look, I’m the president. Ultimately, it’s my responsibility. If I’m not giving [Geithner] the tools he needs, it’s on me.”

Despite the topics, Obama managed to keep the mood light, like when he and Leno discussed his children’s new dog and living in the secret service "bubble." One of his jokes, however, caused jaws to drop.

The president was discussing how he’s been practicing his famously bad bowling. His skills, he said, are at about those of the Special Olympics. The White House was quick to clarify that Obama meant no harm: "The president made an offhand remark making fun of his own bowling that was in no way intended to disparage the Special Olympics."

UPDATE: Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, whose son has Down’s syndrome, hit back at Mr Obama’s remark. Via the Daily Beast:

I was shocked to learn of the comment made by President Obama about Special Olympics. This was a degrading remark about our world’s most precious and unique people, coming from the most powerful position in the world.
…
These athletes overcome more challenges, discrimination and adversity than most of us ever will. By the way, these athletes can outperform many of us and we should be proud of them. I hope President Obama’s comments do not reflect how he truly feels about the special needs community.

Agreed!

 

WATCH:

Read more about: Barack Obama, Jay Leno, Media, News, Politics, Special Olympics, Tonight Show, Video

253 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

Agyness O
And, it is so good to see you CW supporting  our dear new president who has barely been in office 2 months and is dealing with one of the most complex problems our country has ever faced. The fact that he doesn’t want to live in a security bubble is in evidence by his very appearance on Leno last night and his efforts to explain to each and everyone in language we all understand the economic events of the last six months. I have NEVER seen a president make such an effort. That he misspoke unintentionally on what most would consider a lighter issue in an attempt to poke a little fun at himself was unfortunate but should be looked at in the context in which it was said. We, as a nation, are becoming insensitive to our REAL problems when we use "political correctness" as a tool in an attempt to destroy someone. Most on this topic are trying to make a mountain out of a small ant hill! Enough is enough, indeed.
By Agyness O on 03/20/2009 5:45 pm
~ countrywoman ~

I welcome your reply, Agyness, and appreciate your observations.  We shall never be shouted down.  The stakes are too high, and the cause is too important.  I believe the vitriolic rhetoric only serves to strengthen our resolve and re-affirm our support. 

+~~ 

By ~ countrywoman ~ on 03/21/2009 1:23 am
DeBúrca obj

I’m with you.

Tonight on the Ron Reagan show I heard a man interviewed who works for Veteran’s Affairs, can’t remember his title. But this man, an Iraq vet, said that they are actually being invited to meetings at the White House and… get this… being LISTENED TO! The man said that during the Bush administration they couldn’t even get a response to a letter! But they’ve already met with the Obama administration more than once and, to this guys shock, on one issue that they expressed disagreement with the administration, they were not only listened to, the policy changed! Obama said he will listen and he does.

People who hate this man and won’t give him a chance are fools, bitter and angry because their agenda isn’t in the forefront anymore and they are willing to hope such a promising and good man fails… and takes the country with him…. just so they can be ‘right’. Foolish, bitter people. 

By DeBúrca obj on 03/20/2009 7:49 pm
~ countrywoman ~

Indeed, DeBurca.  But the bitter brew ISN’T WORKING!  Hate ISN’T WORKING!  The majority of us voted to restore decency and sanity, and we remain willing to fight for it.  Thank you for sharing the Iraq Vet’s story, please keep spreading the truth.  The truth got us this far, it will continue to serve us well.

+~~

By ~ countrywoman ~ on 03/21/2009 1:35 am
Mary Quite-Contrary
Marjorie, its not like I have Billy Ayers ghosting for me…cut me a little slack!!! ;) M Q-C
By Mary Quite-Contrary on 03/21/2009 9:13 am
Mary Quite-Contrary
DeB, I have to ask, is there anything that you DON’T blame on George Bush? If there were an 6+ earthquake in US today, would it occur on Bush’s Fault? In your world does all good (and bad) flow directly from 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue? Bush made mistakes, and so has Obama.
By Mary Quite-Contrary on 03/21/2009 9:19 am
S.J. Morgan
Imagine the outrage is this slip of the tongue had been made by Rush or Ann Coulter!!!  It would be a weeks worth of media attention and they would be asked to resign or be fired!
By S.J. Morgan on 03/20/2009 7:37 pm
canuck canuck

With the mess that is going on in Washington right now what was this President doing on Leno in the first place?  Maybe he should stay home and settle his staff shortage first before wasting more taxpayers money on his campaign. 

Several of my adult children work with special needs adults and I can understand why some people would be insulted by his ‘joke’. Not funny - go home - the election is over - its the economy Mr. Obama …

By canuck canuck on 03/20/2009 7:49 pm
susan williams

I am having a hard time swallowing all the comment’s about our president being insensitive to the special needs children. oh my people take pot shots at themselves daily about a retarded thing they may have done. People….why are you being so sensitive. Get over it. There are so many things in our world that are far more important than calling himself a special need bowler….PLEASE

By susan williams on 03/20/2009 9:01 pm
Libra Lady
Another view of President Obama’s comment by Greta Van Susteren

From: 
Sent: Friday, March 20, 2009 
To:
Subject: (no subject)

 My name is John O’Connor Staten Island NY. I have two members of my family who have proudly participated in the Special Olympics. I am disgusted embarrassed and humiliated by Obama’s derogatory comments concerning these special athletes. He apologized to a fellow Democrat– NO–go on National TV again and apologize to the millions of our less fortunate citizens–forget your planned photo -op at the White House,

 Millions of people are out of work–this guys worries about NCAA brackets and jokes about people who cant defend themselves.—Oh and NO tele-prompter my Reader in Chief !!

 John

By Libra Lady on 03/20/2009 9:03 pm
E .

Admittedly an embarrassing flub.  Surely it won’t be his last - we all put our foot in our own mouths a few times too many. 

He is POTUS and might be more polished but our nation put this man in at this time in his career at a somewhat unpolished, less guarded and less slick state and this is what we get.  Deal with it, get over it and be thankful for the positives he offers - there are many.

By E . on 03/20/2009 11:03 pm
starry Nite

I knew that would be some remark that the right wing could seize upon.  I had a special needs child and I volunteer and support special olympics.  It was a special olympics moment.  It was not a politically correct statement and we as parents make our jokes sometimes to keep from crying.  He is a terrible bowler and Leno was giving him a special olympics moment by telling him a 126 bowling score was great.  This won’t be his last gaffe.  Nancy Reagan forgave him.  Right wingers have hidden agendas and the President was on the west coast already and this was another venue to get his message to real people.

By starry Nite on 03/20/2009 11:25 pm
Michael Salling
One American president’s thoughtless verbal miscalculation undoubtedly cost lives and may have prolonged a war; it took years for the POTUS to acknowledge the consequences of his “bring it on” taunt hurled at terrorist enemies in the heat of a deadly war. The latest example of conversational fallibility by a Commander-in-Chief no doubt disappointed millions and genuinely wounded the sensibilities of some (I doubt Governor Palin was among them.) Obama’s gaffe was followed by an immediate and unqualified public apology, and seems likely to result in a number of beneficial, if unintended, consequences. So far as I am aware, no grieving family or mother, and certainly not Cindy Sheehan, has received a similar act of civility and compassion from Bush.
By Michael Salling on 03/21/2009 2:25 am
Rainbow Power

Posters on wow are always saying they have freedom of speech to post what they want.  So in view of this, I think the President also has the right to claim freedom of speech.  I have a Downs Syndrome sister who participated in Special Oympics.  I AM NOT OFFENDED AND CERTAINLY DO NOT MAKE A BIG DEAL OUT OF A STATEMENT MADE IN JEST.  Now, if he had called someone a retarded or similar I would have been mad as heck.  But he didn’t say that.  His enemies living in the USA are using this to build a case a against him as typically happens with anything he does.

As a special note my sister was a state Special Olympic 1st place bowler one year.  Her average was 186.  So the President is wrong in his thinking that Special Oympians are bad bowlers.  But I certainly can forgive him for that.  Why can’t people forgive him for a small faux pas which he will never again say.  He is after all human.  Unless the wow posters who always want to crucify our new President never make mistakes in their speeches or in talking or in posting.  NOT! 

 

By Rainbow Power on 03/21/2009 6:56 am
caj p
It sounds as if you have a great sister, she could certainly show President Obama a few tricks for sure with his bowling (smile) and I applaud you for coming on here and making your comments about the Presidents remarks.  It was made as a joke of himself as we know and a not meant to be unkind at all and yours is one of the voices of reason in all this as it is being played over and over just to put President Obama in a bad light.  So thank you for that and tell your sister to keep up the good work.
By caj p on 03/21/2009 8:44 am
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