Barack Obama Apologizes For Special Olympic Joke

I saw it and we need some humor in our lives right now. Nothing wrong. Anyway Pls vote for Drew Barrymore to direct Eclipse.

he is the best.. stop trying to find something bad about him

Where’s the teleprompter when you need it?????? Obama without a speech to read is dangerous and obviously someone that has no problem making fun of special needs children. How pathetic and sad. Our first Mixed President is really mixed up.

You could tell he was only joking about his own lack of bowling skills and didn’t mean to offend anyone.

People need to lighten up and develop a sense of humour.

Obama is a breath of fresh air after that idiot Bush who could barely string a sentence together and who destroyed the US economy.

Americans should be proud that they now have such an intelligent, charismatic and inspiring President compared to the incompetent Bush!

oh come on, everyone jokes about the special olympics.
:p
Remember that Johnny Knoxville movie?? hah It did great. People need to start pulling some serious sticks out of their asses and just have a laugh or two.

COME ON, people! Get a LIFE & a sense of HUMOR. Obama was NOT insulting the disabled. A few years ago, NOBODY would have thought TWICE about such a remark. (WHO hasn’t said something SIMILAR themselves?) It is NOT a pejorative — merely a means of stating OBAMA IS NOT A GOOD BOWLER. Frankly, JAY LENO CAUSED THIS by acting FOOLISHLY (Clucking & patting his mouth like an old woman)!
HERE’S TO SARAH PALIN’S slime: SHE actually had the balls *(chutzpah) to berate Barak for the remark — MEANWHILE SHE JUST TURNED AWAY $500-MILLION (stimulus) THAT would have helped CHILDREN w./Special NEEDS in AK. WHO IS THE HYPOCRITE?
Every right-WINGER, that’s who! Instead of letting the MAN try to fix whats WRONG w/this country (LARGELY CAUSED BY 8-YRS of a bumbling/INSINCERE Wall St-LOVING BUSH).
LET THE GUY ALONE=! He is ten times SMARTER than ANY BUSH or any GOPer could EVER BE.

Just a joke, but a bit insensitive IMO. It’s good that he apologised, since it did offend some people, even if most of us aren’t offended. he is the president after all.

I don’t think they should make those poor kids compete…
does every iota of america have to infused with dog eat dog
competition and rat race mentality??? even for the
congenitally challenged?
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0006718/

I like Obmama.Voted forhim. I donot sgree witheverything abouthim. Icall theshots as Isee them.
BAAAAAADDDDDDDDDDD choice of words here. Just bad.
Presidents, rule 1, need tostop trying tobe a celb. Obama down to Carter. The Cater Playboy interview…remember. I mean Obama-Bush-Clinton-Bush-Regan-Carter. Thisnew thing is wrong. Obama was wrong and he should nothave been onthe tonight show anyway.
No President belongs on pop tv shows,etc.

he’s making fun of himself more than the special olympics.

I bet all you hypocrites would be singing a whole new tune if it were McCain or Bush who said something like this.

# 22

you are so full of it! overdoing it for sure.

probably closed minded as well.

go wake up yourself

the pundit @ 03/20/2009 at 9:58 pm
Johnny Knoxville is a comedian who staples his ba!!s to his thigh. Are you not intelligent enough to understand that the behavior of the leader of the most powerful nation on earth should rise slightly above that of someone who calls himself a jackass?

Traveling across country to shoot the breeze with Leno (and insult and entire group of disabled Americans in the process), spending time preening on ESPN as he handicaps basketball games, bowling, appointing a tax cheat to run our Treasury Department, naming a slew of other appointees so ethically and legally flawed that they had to relinquish their posts…. Gee, our Commander has been a very busy fellow. When on earth does he find time to effectively govern? Judging by the state of our economy (and the latest AIG fiasco), I’d say — never.
**************
I didn’t read your whole comment because you just sound like you need a drink. So I’ll just, ever so politly ,repeat please pull the large stick out of your ass and have a little laugh. Trust me it won’t kill you.
Oh and that was Steve-o who stappled his nuts to his thigh, not Knoxville.
:p

he is the joke

I’m not much on Obama at all! But Jeez, you can’t tell a joke or even **** in America these days. All of you bleeding heart liberals are killing America. Everything has to be politically correct and just so. We are now so involved with saving dogs and killing babies, that we don’t know which end is up!

God this country is uptight

I don’t see why is ofensive, give a break
Love you OBAMA, you are the best!

If Bush said it, they would rip him up. But since his highness said it, it’s ok.

I absolutely love our president. He is very down to earth and can make jokes. He is the average joe trying to make the US a better place!! Shame on you people who have no faith in him.

President Obama, is getting more scrutiny that should have been towards, wall street and bush over the last eight some odd years. I don’t know why people keep saying that he has a “messiah” complex. He’s worked hard for everything he’s accomplished, he messed up as a child/teen/young adult, but he rose above it. He graduated from Columbia and Harvard. He gives people hope because he was able to better his life and his childrens lives. So he smiles alot, is this not a part of his character? It’s nice to see hope not doubt in his eyes. I would rather see a smile than a sourpuss. &a offhand remark that was taken out of context and way to far. He apologized get over it. He was making fun of himself.

I watched J Leno show last night and did not leave the room because I did not want to miss any part of the President’s comments. I did not hear anything offensive. I thought he said his bowling was a 129 or something like that and L leno said thats not too bad and the president said Oh I was like the Olympic or something.. This morning my sister had her radio on some conservative radio station and this guy was making a big deal about what the president had said. This stupie man on the radio was going crazy and hanging up on all the people that called in disagreeing with him and he was yelling at them. so my sister asked me if I had heard the President making fun of the Special Olympic and I said no I didnt hear all that, because if this guy had’nt repeated it as something bad I would not have remember the President was talking about himself and his low bowling score. It is amazing how people can make anything nasty. We all have some special needs people in our families. I was not offended and I am sure if anyone other than the president had said the same thing I still would not have been offended. I remember the conservatives were already angry about him appearing on J Leno already and any other tv. These right wing conservative need to help this country find out what happened to all the money that has been taken out of this country and stop pulling s*** out of a hat just to divert attention from the main subject. People are losing jobs, china has been selling this country nothing but junk, we find out in Texas we will have toll road being built by foreigners and they will charge the american people to travel across their own country. I bet you dont hear the right wing talking about that. We will hear about it when it is too late to keep it from happening. It is alway those little secrets that never get out, but is very important to the American people’s welfare.

i don’t see what the big ddeal is!

even at the time of saying that “joke” …. didn’t he realize it’s really BAD to say that? If Bush said that, they would be ALL over him. Obama says it and it’s okay.

What kind of idiot would expect our new president to be able to
undo in just two months what a clueless chief executive took almost a decade to create??!!

This is in such bad taste- he is supposed to be the F-ing President of the United States! Get going, get to work and at least TRY to stabalize/fix our flagging economy! For all of you who voted for this pretty-boy, where is your savior now? Hmm? Has he been helping you and your families? NO!NO! and NO!- he’s too busy hamming it up with J. leno and all is celebrity friends!- MORON! Do YOUR JOB and help us Americans earn back our savings, jobs, livelihood and lifestyle! And to offend the special olympics and all those inspiring athletes to boot~ He is an ABSOLUTE DISGRACE~! He is NOT a comedian being paid to make jokes and make ppl. laugh- he is supposed to be our President, Leader of the whole free world! 2012 can’t come quick enough… Where’s good ol’ Mitt Romney when we really, really, need him -like him or not, he at least has the business experience that would have been so beneficial to our country during this time of a recession, but no-the country had to vote through their rose-colored glasses… let’s see where that gets us in the next 4-yrs. when the blinders are finally pulled off and a cold, hard reality sets in! My family is only one of millions suffering right now and I cannot believe the audacity of this man who is supposed to be working to help us out of this mess. And believe me, I will be the first one to praise him IF he is ABLE to do it- so far, what have we got? NADA! AIG bonuses being paid out in the millions to ppl. who ultimately brought down that company, Hmm… that makes sense- shell out millions of dollars in bonuses for FAILURE! This country/society is so backwards it would be laughable if it were not so scary and real at this particular moment in our history… and we are supposed to rely on an inexperienced senator who got lucky and made it all the way to the White House? Hmm, ya, ok if you all say so… I am so far not convinced in the slightest! I’m angry that all I can see is everything that my family and I have worked so hard for falling faster than a hot air balloon without the air- it’s scary beyond belief! Sorry to vent, but it felt good to release all my anger/fears.

I’ve watched this show on CNBC Europe yesterday night as it’s broadcast with one day delay. I generally like Jay Leno and his show a lot, and this particular event was outstanding IMHO.
I think you Americans can be very proud to have such an open, intelligent man at the top of your Government. Of course he can’t work miracles, as nobody else could in his situation. But he tries at least, searching contact to regular people, and taking the time and finding the right words to speak to them in their own language and on their level, explaining them what exactly has happened and what he thinks/plans to do about it.
I wish we would have somebody with just half of his charisma in our politics over here as well. I absolutely admire Mr. Barack Obama and wish him the very best for his term in office which will hopefully be extended to the full possible eight years.

Get over it people. this guy is a most admirable man and someone to treasure as our President. If we all can’t laugh at ourselves from time to time without all this fuss what a shame.
Good luck sir, you are a gift to this country.

OMG! As usual the press needs something to jump on so they are going to milk this silly comment to death. He was talking about himself and I personally found it funny.
It’s great to see he knows how to laugh with the mess Bush left for him. Hope he’s around for a long time. You are incredible President Obama and I will vote for you again.

this country is supposedly about freedom of speech, but people have to be constantly apologizing for what they say? .. he obviously said it as a joke and was not being disrespectful to the special Olympics.. what now? should every comedy show now apologize because what they do is joke around about other people…

As a mother of a special needs child I gotta say this is a much to do about nothing. I watched and was not offended at all by the President’s comment. If laughter is the best kind of medicine, thank you Mr. President for making me chuckle. I know in your heart you are doing everything you can for ALL people……even my little guy.

It’s okay for HIM to make jokjes about others, but shame on anyone who makes jokes about HIM.
Can you imagine if Bush made this joke ? Dumb Ase Leno would have used that as another nightly butt joke ! Let’s see if he uses it against the black golden boy ? Let’s hear more black jokes folks !

#62 I heard about that once again MAJOR embarrassment.
Dumbo ears Obama, Gawd… what next.
A friend was telling me about him insulting the british by giving them back a gift they gave to the USA moons ago. I am unclear of all details but thought he said it was a bust of Winston Churchill
given to the States so “O decides they don’t have room or need it anymore and sent it back to them. Apparently they were totally insulted as they should be.
Does anybody have the story on it. Possibly could have been another president from the past but the bust itself was given back.

I think Dumbo should make up his mind. Does he want to be a celebrity or the prez of the USA? He did the Leno show so whats next. The guy is an idiot.

grace @ 03/21/2009 at 9:30 am What kind of idiot would expect our new president to be able to
undo in just two months what a clueless chief executive took almost a decade to create??!!
____________________________________________

I guess the kind of idiot is you. Obama has added MORE to the deficit in two months than Bush did in 8 years.

In plain english. Obama has done more damage (money wise) in two months than Bush has done in 8 years.
—————————————————-
idiot…whoever inherited this mess that we are in would have done
the same. Fiscally responsible conservatives… in plain fcuking english …what a joke they are!!

Leno is a taped show, so why didn’t they just cut that part out???? Apparently, Obama called the Special Olympics guy to apologize before the show even aired, so he recognized his faux pas right away. Boo to Jay Leno for not editing that out.

why does everyone think he is so perfect! Seriosly people he is not the perfect flaw free person you make him out to be, I thought I did the right thing voting for him but now I greatly regret it. I should have wrote in hilary clinton or Sara plain for president. No wonder his polls are going down, its becuase he obviously not ready to be a president. His stimulus bill sucks. so many earmarks like the billions of dollars going to be put in replacing the grass at the white house, the wtaer park they plan to build, the 30 million going to buy government officials new cars (like they need it, they are rich as hell!!!) He kept those in put took out the e-verify which checks when you apply for a job to make sure you are a legal citizen of the country and not an illegal immigrant. Not to mention its been reealed that Obama and the white house some other senator knew about th AIG bonuses way before they apparently claimed to. and why??? becuase some of that many went to Obama and the senator!!! I wish I could go back and write in someone as president instead of putting trust in a man like Obama whos inexperience shows and has no honesty!!! He says what we want to hear but then does the complete opposite when he gets into office!

I didn’t read your whole comment because you just sound like you need a drink. So I’ll just, ever so politly ,repeat please pull the large stick out of your ass and have a little laugh. Trust me it won’t kill you.
Oh and that was Steve-o who stappled his nuts to his thigh, not Knoxville.
.
**************
Too bad you don’t know as much about the office of the presidency as you do about grown men who call themselves “jackasses.” But I suppose you are doing all that your limited intellect will allow .

So, you didn’t read my full post (do you have ADD?), yet you conclude I “sound” like I need a drink. So exactly what language in my post led you to this highly–analytical conclusion? And how exactly does one in need of libation SOUND? Come now, don’t be shy. Please enlighten us all with your wisdom.

No wonder you are so drawn to the jackass crew — they appeal primarily to 13-year-olds, don’t they? With an electorate comprised of people like YOU, it’s no wonder we are left with a president more concerned with how “funny and charming” he can be on camera, than with how effective he can be as a world leader. Do you have a clue as to what Hoovervilles are? Try LEARNING something about the history of this nation and perhaps you will know why informed Americans want him WORKING in Washington rather than insulting special needs kids on Leno. We are in an economic crisis. This isn’t a time for jokes.

The only positive things about this man’s presidency is that it’s going to be a one-term presidency. He’s inexperienced and incompetent. No better than Bush.

And for all you guys out there who think the enonomy sucks now and blame Bush. Look at your history. The economy was great until 2006. What happened in 2006? The democrats took control over the congress. The economy has been tanking ever since. It was the democratic congress that pushed the sub-prime mortgage lending and contributed to the Fall of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Which sparked to fall of the market. Who tried to stop it? The repblicans.

Here it is on tape.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MGT_cSi7Rs

Get a clue you Obamabots. And by the way who gained the most financuially from these companies? Obama and Barney Frank.

He’s a f*ck-ing embarrassment to this country. More interested in being a celebrity than a President.

He’ll be impeached by 2011. This guy is a CON ARTIST. Shows that the majority of our country are a bunch of pathetic losers that want a hand out.

The people that voted for Obama are the same type of people that are suc*ed into cults. They can’t think for themselves and live in a fantasy world. Losers!

just another situation obama acts like a moron ,, i dont know how this idiot got elected , god help us ,, n the next 4 years ,, please god show mercy of american and give us a leader wh9o can lead ,, bush did that ,, yes he did alot of things wrong but at least we knw he could lead & did lead our country its just whn u get all the stupid liberals *&& oigverment involved ,, that evrything goes down the drain ,, case n point w obama ,, the man doesnt have a clue !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!again god ,,,, help us

LAMO that was a funny joke. But not exactly politically correct.

to # 80, pineypointgal,
YOU are 100% on the dot!!! AGREE with you ALL THE WAY!!!!! :)

A friend of mine showed me a website (dont remember what its called) and it had a list of all the earmarks that were on the stimlus package. I couldnt believe all the uneccesary s**t on there. stuff like money to get gov’t officials new cars when they are already very rich, neon signs for las vegas, etc… They keep all the crap in their but take things like e-verify out which should be their since it protects us from losing our jobs to people who are here illegaly. I agree Obama is a liar. He made many promises during the capmaign but once in office he does the complete opposite. I actually rather liked Bush the first four years but after that I wasnt a fan anymore however I dont think he was as bad as everyone made him out to be. He did some good things in office. I know some people might disagree with me here but I am against Obamas decision to get rid of guantanamo. Also, I for one am an avid supporter of the second amendment and NRA and believe we should be able to buy guns but The stupid democratic congress is trying to take that right away which infuriates me!

How are his stereotyping comments about mentally challenging children/adults different then those that people make about races and personal beliefs. Change, do these comments bring change. No, they just show how prejudice our country still is and it’s 2009.

if there was nothing wrong. he wouldnt feel the need to apologize. i just feel like if bush was the one who said it … this news would not end.

All I can say is I have never been so afraid of the future since this man has taken office. America should be fearful of all the damage this administration has done in such little time they have been in office. If the people really knew what was going on they would not be sticking up for this president. I can only suggest for all the people that like this man because he is down to earth and cool to watch the cable news and fox news and hear the truth. I don’t need a president because he is cool. We need someone who is experienced and is for the people. I never in my wildest dreams thought that America would see A PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES be on the Leno show. We are a joke. WATCH BILL O”REILY, HANNITY, and ON THE RECORD if you are concerned about your future.

If you saw, or read the transcript, you would know that it was an attempt at making fun of his bowling prowess, or lack thereof. Insensitive, without a doubt., but he was NOT making fun of Special Olympians, he was making fun of himself. He immediately took steps to resolve it, calling the Special Olympics people to apologize before the show even aired. I find Gov Palin’s cheap attempt to gain another 15 mins out of it this more offensive than his statement was.

Sheena

Every one knows you can’t trust polls. They are bought. He is not doing as well as you think

yeah his popularity is still decent in polls but recently since the stimulus came out, it has gone DOWN!

And to those defending his joke…. even though he was criticizing himself, then why…..if he is as nice, respectful, and sensitive and as smart as you make him out to be…..why the hell would he say something as stupid an insensitive as that. you say he is smart yet he was beyond stupid the moment he said that. if he was truly smart and sensitive he would have known not to even say something that could hurt others. of course he doesnt give a damn since he doesnt have family members with disabilities. I dont blame sarah palin for telling it like it is since her son has a disablity and I certainly am pissed since my cousin who is 23 years old has has to live with a disablity. Obamas comment implied that those in the special olympics cant bowl well, but if any of you who actually have family members with disabilities would know that is no true. Case in point my cousin actually beats me everytime we bowl. he bowls a 303 and i bowl a 135. Obama needs to get his ass set straight!!!! Everyone has a need to defend him and say we need to respect him b/c he is our PRESIDENT yet when former presidents try to crack jokes and such EVERYONE jumps on him. Obama is no fifferent from the rest.

He is but an actor playing at president. Next will be seeing him on Dancing with the Stars.

This article sums it up nicely with regards to his 60 minutes interview:
Be sure to read the comments section. The people tel it like it is.

http://pajamasmedia.com/blog/obama%e2%80%99s-amateur-hour-on-sixty-minutes/

Frencesca,

It’s not for want of not having any material to make jokes with. How about the tasteless gift he gave to Prime Minister Gordan Brown, or when he read from someone else’s speech on the teleprompoter and thanked himself for inviting him to his own party. The fact that he had to use a teleprompter at a whitehouse party is a joke in itself.

And lets not forget all the gaffes his wingman Biden has made. Like when he said that FDR aadressed the people of the US on television. Television hadn’t even been invented yet. Yet you won’t find the liberal media poking fun at their little puppet. Just keep drinking the Kool ade folks. The lights will go out soon.

The problem is people get their news today from sites like this or the Jon Stewart show, or even any mainstream media source like ABC, NBC, CBS, and they think they are well informed. People are intellectually lazy.

To silly me. You are kidding right. Obama an embarrassment! Have you forgotten what an embarrassment Bush was? He could not pronounce words correctly, often got confused about what he was suppose to be saying, lied to us and the rest of the world. Pretty much ruined foreign policy. At least Obama realized his mistake immediately and apologized, something Bush refused to do no matter how bad he screwed up. Get on with yourself please. All of our leaders have said things that they should not have said, read your history please. Some have said and done some pretty horrific things. Too bad so many people refuse to be objective. Obama has yet to prove himself . He has not even been given a chance. He has been in office two month and a few days. Get off his back.

to jayne reese,
actually he has had a lot of opportunitties to prove himself. Its called the stimulus package, The AIG fiasco, etc…. much more, just look it up. Bush WAS president, not anymore, so whatever sh*t happens now that goes wrong which it is right now and any screw ups like the lying about knowing about the AIG bonuses earlier are on OBAMA now! he is president NOW. Who cares if Bush made some screw ups, that was when he was president, but he isnt anymore so people need to stop. It does not matter that obama has only been president for two months, he has already signed bills, and such…. and so far its CRAP!!! Havent you noticed the outcry over the stimulus package????? washington has been getting floods of letters about obamas promise to take out earmarks and what does he do, he keeps them in. he claims he wants to help the people but if he cant even listen to peopels complaints over it instead he goes completley against a promise he made during his campaign before he was elected. If people actually went back and youtubed his speeches and debates he made during the election trail, you would see that over half of the things he said were just a mask and that he has done the complete oppsosite of what he saif he would do. just go and watch the campagn speeches and you will see. He has had his first two months to prove himself and so far he has done a SH**TY job. Everyone makes him out to be everyones hero and so perfect but he isnt. People just agree with him b/c of party bias! So people need to get off their high horse like hollywood, and actually learn and understand where he stands on issues. A lot of people dont even bother to look up where he stands on issues and only vote for him either because he is democratic or because of his skin color. Dont vote for someone just becuase they are white, black, Asian, mexican, honduran, etc….. People nee to actually look up his senate record and his political stance. its so sad that republicans voet only republican and democratic vote democratic! People need to stop voting or defending him b/c of part loyalty!

Lizzie,
Victor Davius Hanson makes fun of how the Left always and still attack Bush. Here he writes “Bush Did It” a parody.

As instructive as it is the Obamabots will still not get it.

http://www.victorhanson.com/articles/hanson032009.html

Lizzie

Keep the faith.

Just keep speaking the truth and hold your head high. America is a great country and remember over 57 milion people did not vote for this fool and many of those that did are beginning to regret it.

I remember the Carter years (when inflation was up and unemployment was double digit) and while this is much worse in many ways we will come out of this as well. Really be on the look out for a Tea Party Protest in your area and to attend one - bring friends. They are growing rapidly. People are beginning to rise up ( Democrats, Republicans and Libertarians alike). Michelle Malkin a conservative journalist that has been covering the protests at her site as well as Pajamas Media.

I will be at one with my two small children - my 9 year old girl and 4 year old boy. He has a t-shirt that says “Obama, stop robbing my piggy bank.”

Funny to meet someone here. I usually don’t visit this site but was linked here by another site when I was reading about his Leno appearance. And of course I couldn’t keep my mouth shut in the face of such ignorance.

Great to meet some one with common sense.

Goodnight

I think it’s good that he said this.. It’s reassuring to know that the president can hangout and make jokes just like any other American.