Obama “Special Olympics” Comment On Jay Leno Show
Posted Mar 20, 2009 by Lindsay Britney
President Barack Obama appeared on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno on Thursday night, becoming the first time a sitting President of the United States who had ever appeared as a guest on a late night talk show. Among a few topics Obama and Jay Leno discussed included his (poor) bowling skills, on which Obama made a ”special Olympics” comment that was believed offensive by many:
Video: President Obama’s “Special Olympics” comment on Leno
Mr Obama’s lack of bowling skills, demonstrated during the election campaign, also threatened his credibility with the all-important blue collar union-member crowd. “I imagine the bowling alley has been just burned and closed down,” said Leno. “No, no,” replied the President. “I have been practicing… I bowled a 129.” “That’s very good, Mr President,” said Leno. And then it happened. Amid laughter, Obama quipped, “It’s like—it was like the Special Olympics, or something.” And in the instant he said it, you could see a flash of realisation in his eyes: I’ve just mocked the disabled. On live TV.
When briefing on Air Force One to the reporters, Bill Burto, the White House spokesman, had to make a clarification about Obama’s “Special Olympics” comment:
“The president made an off-hand remark making fun of his own bowling that was in no way intended to disparage the Special Olympics. He thinks the Special Olympics is a wonderful program that gives an opportunity for people with disabilities from around the world.”
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