Obama Jokes about being a bad bowler: "It's like the special olympics"

[Peeping Wizard]

Could you IMAGINE if Bush had said this:

http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpu...ent-ob-15.html

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.
- jpt

[Dictator]

if bush had said it there would probably be remarks about how fitting it is because he belongs in the special olympics.

[KAOSkins]

if bush had said it there would probably be remarks about how fitting it is because he belongs in the special olympics.

What's your point?

It was not the best thing in the world to say but it is nice to see a little self deprecation in a president. It's one of the things I DID like about Bush.

Boy it's going to be entertaining to see the nits in action for the next 4 years.

[Bang]

Well, it is an insensitive thing to say, and since he's President, he has to be much more aware that his 'regular guy' can't come out and let his hair down like the rest of us.

~Bang

[Peeping Wizard]

I actually don't find the comment offensive. What I do find offensive is the double-standard in the media. Had Bush said this he would be crucified. Because Obama said it, it is cute and funny and he CLEARLY meant no harm by it.

[Bliz]

Why does every freaking thing from the right these days have to be "can you imagine if Bush had said this" "can you imagine if Bush had done this" blah blah blah blah blah? Shut up already. Complain that Obama did it and move on without daydreaming about what the media might or might not have done 8 years ago. I mean, you're quoting an an alleged bastion of liberal Obama-love (ABC news) that's highlighting the fact that he did it and basically calling it a gaffe. The news isn't even 12 hours old yet, so you don't even know what the reaction from all these groups is going to be.

sheesh.

[KDawg]

It's an offensive comment to anyone who knows any of the people that participate in the special olympics, as well as it is to those who have special needs.

I don't think it's a terribly big issue, but he absolutely needs to be more aware of what he's saying.

[Gator Bait]

I actually don't find the comment offensive. What I do find offensive is the double-standard in the media. Had Bush said this he would be crucified. Because Obama said it, it is cute and funny and he CLEARLY meant no harm by it.

maybe the comment isn't offensive to you....but it might by to other people (like challenged people or their family)

I have a challenged brother....and I don't take any offense to it.

Obama didn't mean it in a bad way. It is pretty rediculous how the media and people in general are just looking to unload on the President.

I do agree, however, if it was dubya that said that.....the media would be all over him.

[Peeping Wizard]

Why does every freaking thing from the right these days have to be "can you imagine if Bush had said this" "can you imagine if Bush had done this" blah blah blah blah blah? Shut up already. Complain that Obama did it and move on without daydreaming about what the media might or might not have done 8 years ago. I mean, you're quoting an an alleged bastion of liberal Obama-love (ABC news) that's highlighting the fact that he did it and basically calling it a gaffe. The news isn't even 12 hours old yet, so you don't even know what the reaction from all these groups is going to be.

sheesh.

A little touchy are we? I'm just pointing out the hypocricy.

[Dictator]

A little touchy are we? I'm just pointing out the hypocricy.

then try to wait a little and see if the media brings it up. I notice a number of news outlets HAVE.
OOOOORRRRRR, we could focus on things that actually matter?

[GoSkins561]

If Bush said it people would be calling for his resignation. The Great Teleprompter will more than likely get a free pass.

[Bang]

A little touchy are we? I'm just pointing out the hypocricy.

Since you can't ever prove what "would have happened", it's a pointless exercise.
Fact is, Obama's gaffe is top headline news this morning, I've read about it in several places, and it's not even 9AM.
By day's end you can bet that the groups who are offended by this will issue statements and there will be news regarding that, and he'll either apologize or he'll snub it, and then there will be news about that.

The only thing that can accurately be predicted in most of what you read these days is that someone will whine about how bad they'd have treated Bush if he had done this while he was in office.
The same thing will happen EXCEPT the 'liberal biased media" won't do the grilling. The conservative biased media will hammer him, and they will of course hammer him from the standpoint of the media ignoring it, all the while ignoring the fact that THEY are media and are not ignoring it.
And you guys will goosestep right in line and whine that the media is treating him with kid gloves

~Bang

[Bliz]

A little touchy are we? I'm just pointing out the hypocricy.

No you're not. You're pointing out what you assume will be hypocrisy using a source that suggests your assumption is wrong, and doing it before 9 am the day after it happened. You're assuming hypocrisy when all of the evidence so far is that it will in fact be a big story today.

[Peeping Wizard]

No you're not. You're pointing out what you assume will be hypocrisy using a source that suggests your assumption is wrong, and doing it before 9 am the day after it happened. You're assuming hypocrisy when all of the evidence so far is that it will in fact be a big story today.

I hope you are correct. I will be more than happy to be wrong in my assumption that this wouldn't get any coverage.

[SEF]

Oh noes... the faux outrage makes me misty.