Obama insults Special Olympics? Update: Obama thinks Special Olympics are “wonderful”

posted at 9:59 pm on March 19, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
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You know how you can tell when a President has a bad day?  When his comparison of an American corporation to terrorists is the second-stupidest thing he said:

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.

Maybe he should have brought his Teleprompter with him.  The Anchoress wonders whether the press will treat him like Bush:

One almost gets tired of saying it, but one must say it, still: Can you IMAGINE what the press and the Dems would do with that, had Bush said it. Can you IMAGINE what the press and the Dems would have done with the Irish PM Teleprompter gaffe (the press has helpfully embargoed the video, so Obama doesn’t have to see it playing 24/7, as Bush would have – had Bush so gaffed). Can you IMAGINE what the press and the Dems would have done if Bush had given the Prime Minister of Great Britain a lousy pack of 50 “Classic” DVD’s that didn’t work in the UK?

Eventually, even the media will have to realize that Obama is in over his head.  They may be the last ones in on the joke, but eventually they’ll catch onto the fact that Obama is floundering.

Update (AP): The Anchoress’s point is well taken, but honestly, I tire of this politically calculated outrage. We all know what he meant; it was politically incorrect, but more political incorrectness among our political elite is all to the good. Lay off.

Update (Ed): Not if only one side gets away with it, AP.

Also, let’s remember that Obama is supposed to be leading, not campaigning or working as a stand-up comedian.  He’s been insisting that we’re in the worst financial crisis in 70 years.  Going on Leno to discuss his policies could have been a smart step; going on Leno to make quips and one-liners, and doing it badly, hardly builds confidence in his leadership or his priorities.  When he stops with the crisis mentality, then he can show us why his stand-up career would have gone nowhere.

Also, wasn’t it Obama and his team that was screeching about the “political incorrectness” of Rush Limbaugh in hoping he’d fail, and insinuating that it amounted to treason?

Update (AP): Outrageous outrage warrants furious walkback!

“Good afternoon. The President made an offhand remark making fun of his own bowling that was in no way intended to disparage the Special Olympics. He thinks that the Special Olympics are a wonderful program that gives an opportunity to shine to people with disabilities from around the world.”

Blowback

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