OlderFri, 20 March 2009 at 8:14 pm
Barack Obama Apologizes For Special Olympic Joke
President Barack Obama appears on The Tonight Show and is interviewed by Jay Leno on Thursday (March 19) in Burback, Calif.
During the interview Leno tried to compliment the president’s bowling score but Obama said, “It was like the Special Olympics or something.” The White House quickly issued a statement and said Obama’s remarks were, “in no way intended to disparage the Special Olympics.”
On his way back to Washington on Air Force One, Obama called the chairman of the Special Olympics, Tim Shriver, to apologize before the program aired Thursday night. “He expressed his disappointment and he apologized, I think in a way that was very moving,” Shriver told Good Morning America today.
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Thank you # 75!!!! I agree with you!!! Obama lied about knowing of the AIG bonuses becuase he was one of many who made money out of it as well. I want to let you knew i was a former obamabot but i am no longer. I am so converting to republican or maybe independent! they seem to have better ideas as to what is really important and should be put in the stimulus package! unlike our dumb as a doorknob democratic congress and Nancy Pelosi (a.k.a. The Joker). Fact is, alot of obama supporters know how bad of a job he is doing but are too afraid to disagree with him becuase the dumba** liberal media is making out everyone who disagress with obama as racist and unpatrotic which is F**cked up!!! We have a president who is dishonest, liar, and way too inexperienced (two years of senate is not even experience!). Dont get me started on his foreign policy, it just plain SUCKS!!! When it comes to protecting ouur country against terrorists, I feel less secure with him in office now! Suprisingly, I actually felt safer when it came to protecting us from terrorist when Bush was president and I dont even like Bush! thats says a lot!!!!
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!
He should apologize for demeaning the office of the President of The United States by appearing on a late night tv dog and pony show. He is not “breaking new ground” he is “stooping to new lows” for the attention. Next he will be appearing on Deal Or No Deal as a suitcase boy. He insults America by doing these things. What an imbecile.
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
To #76
I am not a republican. I am actually registered as an independent. While Bush definately had his share of screw ups durng the past 8 years, this administration just takes the title of inept. Yes only 59 days in office, and look how far the DOW keeps dropping. No matter how you feel about Wall Street, main street is Wall street. All of us who have our retirement money in 401Ks (which are not 201ks) or in mutual funds… And whether people realize it or not under the Bush tax coodes - the rich were taxed highr than the middle and lower wage earners, by far than the clinton tax years. And now that Obama is getting ready to do away with Bush tax codes we can all expect to pay highr taces. Obama has done nothing but lied to the American people. He stood before congress and said to the American people that the Stimulus bill had no earmarks. No wernmarks?! He lied. How about these:
The Top 10:
10. $1.7 million “for a honey bee factory” in Weslaco, TX
Nothing takes out the “sting” of the weak economy than drinking coffee sweetened with (government funded) honey.
9. $475,000 to build a parking garage in Provo City, Utah
We assume this is parking that is NOT needed. Federal money for a local town’s parking garage? Don’t local folks pay for that?
8. $200,000 for a tattoo removal violence outreach program that could help gang members or others shed visible signs of their past
When money is tight, how about clothing?
7. $300,000 for the Montana World Trade Center
Terror alert.
6. $1 million for mormon cricket control in Utah
Earplugs.
5. $650,000 for beaver management in North Carolina and Mississippi
Hunting licenses make money.
4. $2.1 million for the Center for Grape Genetics in New York
When I was a kid, I used to watch “The Six Million Dollar Man.” Now, we have Wolverine.
3. $332,000 for the design and construction of a school sidewalk in Franklin, Texas
Again, local.
2. $2 million “for the promotion of astronomy” in Hawaii
Anyone can just look up at the sky at night while on one of Hawaii’s beaches.
1. $1.7 million for pig odor research in Iowa
If it makes better pork chops, I support this one
And who do you think is going to pay for all this debt being placed on this country? You and me and our children and grand children. That’s who.
Nation wide all over the country people are protesting. Having Tea Parties. Look it up and join in. WQe have to take back our country from theses bums in Congress -democrats and republicans alike. America is in grave danger.
LAMO that was a funny joke. But not exactly politically correct.
Edit: LMAO that was a funny joke. But not exactly politically correct. I wonder what his friends the Kennedys have to say about this since they founded the Special Olympics!
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!
OMG CAN’T AMERICANS TAKE A JOKE
I THINK PRESIDENT OBAMA WAS EXCELLENT ON THE SHOW, VERY FUNNY, VERY DOWN-TO-EARTH YET INSIGHTFUL!
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.
what we are not allowed to laugh anymore? all this POLITICALLY CORRECT bullshit is ridiculous. i love that obama has a sense of humor, god knows we all need it during these dark times.
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.
To #83 Lizzie
Right on Bush. Bush did a lot of great things. He did more for AIDS in Africa than any other sitting president. He also managed to keep our borders safe since 9/11.. Many people here aren’t aware of all the foiled attempts for further attacks on our soil because Bush’s policy prevented them. Closing down GITMO is a big mistake.
Obama is an empty suit. A media puppet.
Politics is no longer an ideology, or the difference of ideas/solutions but rather marketing. We do not understand the subtleness of marketing. How it wears us down, feeds on our lusts and desires. Stirs up in us greed, fear, worry, anxiety. The goals are, we should be afraid instead of confident, that we should be envious instead of content, jealous rather than charitable, that we should be angry with rather than love each other.
The political class cannot abide with the good that is in our great country as it robs them of power over us. And the media has no economic incentive to call them on their hypocracy as the turmoil sells their product.
Turn off the noise, don’t fall prey to the marketing. Live free, they have no power except what we personally cede to them.
You seem like an intelligent person. Try reading the works of Victor Davis Hansen. You can google his name ro get to his site. He is a classicist and military historian who writes on contemporary politics and issues. He is brilliant.
Other people to look at are Thomas Sowell. An economist who tells it like it is.
Also if you haven’t done so read or re read Orwell’s 1984. It is pretty scary how are times are parellel to this great work. Another great work to read is Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugs.
Or you can visit a couple of sites like Sweetness and light or American Thinker. They usually have easy articles to follow that the MSM ( that is mainstream media - ABC NBC CBS, who are in the pockets of the “political elite”) will not cover.
And get yourself to a Tea Party protest near you (google tea part protest). Our voices must be heard.
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.
first off; lets be more respectful to the leaders of our country .
your the one’s voting for them here .
second; it was stupid for him to go on the tonight show . he needs to stop being some celebrity, and start being our leader . he has a country to run.
& third; what he said was offending . he offended a group of people . a president is supposed to be charismatic and respectful to all sorts of people . obviously, without a layed out speech, obama can’t complete a sentence without messing up .
& fourth; people are being wayyyy tooo hypocritical . defending obama every time he messes up, when everyone remembers bush being critisiced for the littlest things . let’s have some more respect people.
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.
Considering that Pres. Obama has a 70% favorable rating, it is interesting that so many “different” posters (who all happen to share the same Fox faux news inspired sentiments) comment here, giving such a different impression than what is true. Unless the entire MINORITY of Americans who are unhappy with our President also happen to be JJ fans? Just saying…….
Sheena
Every one knows you can’t trust polls. They are bought. He is not doing as well as you think
obama sucks. he talks like everyone is beneath him. we’re not stupid man!
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.
Political Correctness is going too far! Yes, Obama made a comment but it was in no way meant to offend… There is not a hint of malice in what was said … Yes, he is the president and leader of the US but first and foremost he is human, just like each and every one of us… He’s apologised for his error and ppl need to get over it
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/
this is just hilarious.
the media has nothing against obama so they make a huge deal out of nothing.
even dave letterman cant think of a sketch for the “new guy”
he still makes bush jokes hahaha
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.
amazing…if bush has said that, he would have been crucified. just goes to show you that obama is as bad at public speaking (meaning no teleprompter) as bush was. but obama won’t get any criticism for this one. gimme a break. and by the way, the democrats are the ones who ruined the economy by forcing companies to give undeserving people mortgages that they knew they wouldn’t be able to pay. because in dems minds, it’s fair that all poor slobs should have a house.
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