Obama insults Special Olympics? Update: Obama thinks Special Olympics are “wonderful”
posted at 9:59 pm on March 19, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
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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Classic:
I am too old for you. I am to old for me too as far as that is concerned.
Terrye on March 20, 2009 at 1:22 AM
Good night, Terrye. We will fight the good fight, pitchfork to pitchfork.
HornetSting on March 20, 2009 at 1:23 AM
And won’t they just be crappin in their drawers when they find out they’re going to have to pay $29.99 for one song from ITunes and $50 for one text message.
Knucklehead on March 20, 2009 at 1:23 AM
I know, upstater85, I’m a bad hornet. But, damn that would feel good. Flush and start over.
HornetSting on March 20, 2009 at 1:24 AM
Well it was nice while it lasted, will have to work on getalife as my rebound…
ClassicCon on March 20, 2009 at 1:24 AM
Hey! I’m not old. I’ve just been weathering.
Loxodonta on March 20, 2009 at 1:25 AM
But at least the text message will be sent on a phone powered by constant hand-fanning. I can sleep at night if I know I’m not polluting *sigh*
Upstater85 on March 20, 2009 at 1:25 AM
I approve of this post.
The Wall on March 20, 2009 at 1:25 AM
At this point, I would take Hillary over Joke-boy.
Upstater85 on March 20, 2009 at 1:26 AM
$29.99 for one song and $50 per text…does that mean we are going to be restricted to one square of toilet paper too? You know, save the forests?
HornetSting on March 20, 2009 at 1:26 AM
Almost 800, quite a busy thread.
Yes, it was an excellent post. I hope this gaffe tonight is one more thing that derails Obama from ramming more of his crap agenda.
msmveritas on March 20, 2009 at 1:26 AM
Careful for what you wish for, Upstater85. Shrillary has the chain of command list too, you know.
HornetSting on March 20, 2009 at 1:27 AM
R D, most of us just have the attention span of a gnat.
HornetSting on March 20, 2009 at 1:28 AM
Oh, I know, and I don’t wish for Hillary. I’m just saying that she could probably handle herself a little better than ‘Bomb-a – and that’s not saying much.
Upstater85 on March 20, 2009 at 1:28 AM
My cat could handle the country better than this guy and she sleeps 17 hours a day.
HornetSting on March 20, 2009 at 1:33 AM
And Obama lives by my kids favorite saying when they were teen’s…..”then just write a check, mom”.
Knucklehead on March 20, 2009 at 1:33 AM
Night everyone.
Remember…there are many ways to fight back. Prayer is one of mine.
baldilocks on March 20, 2009 at 1:34 AM
Me too. But being a slow reader sometimes has it’s benefits.
I have ADDHLAS. Attention deficit disor…hey look a squirrel. And it get worse with age….
R D on March 20, 2009 at 1:34 AM
Wow. I really hate it when people bash you here, Allah, but I have to say I’m surprised at your reaction. Disappointed, too.
Obama isn’t a street organizer anymore. He’s the President of the United States. He’d better step up his game and start thinking before he opens his mouth.
capitalist piglet on March 20, 2009 at 1:34 AM
You made me smile, R D. I have a friend that is really kind of like that. I tell him, he just doesn’t allow anything to pass him by.
:)
HornetSting on March 20, 2009 at 1:36 AM
Obama wouldn’t use a check. That would require paper which would kill a tree… He’ll just promise the California coast to China – oh wait… that might be sold already.
Upstater85 on March 20, 2009 at 1:36 AM
What about all those beans we’ll be eating?????
Not a square to spare.
Knucklehead on March 20, 2009 at 1:36 AM
We have had very little inflation for over 20 years. Over 5% is noticeable. Over 10% gets scary. Given their policies, I’m thinking it will be difficult to keep it under 10%.
What’s incredible is that it will hurt hardest the poor, the fixed income elderly and the young ones just starting out. And weren’t those groups big Obama supporters?
Loxodonta on March 20, 2009 at 1:37 AM
I’m tired of AP getting tired of conservatives pointing out the MSM’s double standard. Clearly, this bias has contributed to the current left-wing dominated political climate we find ourselves in, and if this isn’t addressed or altered in some way it may never change, with irreversible catastrophic effects for our country.
blue13326 on March 20, 2009 at 1:39 AM
We’ll just have to let the progressives be honorable and sacrifice themselves for us. They could all jump off the Golden Gate Bridge
— Disclaimer: I don’t really want getalife to jump off a bridge and I don’t think Meghan McCain is a plus-size-model.
Upstater85 on March 20, 2009 at 1:39 AM
Beans: Good for the wind farms.
HornetSting on March 20, 2009 at 1:41 AM
Given that back in the campaign he acknowledged that energy prices would skyrocket with cap and trade and the inflationary effects of his crap policies, what could he possibly think will get him re-elected? This puzzles me.
msmveritas on March 20, 2009 at 1:41 AM
I disagree with AllahPundit on this issue. But, there’s been a lot of AP bashing on this thread tonight. And I think conservatives really need to re-institute Reagan’s 11th Commandment. And I’ve been sorely tempted to do so, so I will:
LEAVE ALLAHPUNDIT ALONE!!!!!!!!!!!!
Loxodonta on March 20, 2009 at 1:43 AM
By 2012 ACORN employees will be the only eligible voters.
Upstater85 on March 20, 2009 at 1:43 AM
I think Allahpundit likes the abuse.
HornetSting on March 20, 2009 at 1:44 AM
Blame Bush?
Loxodonta on March 20, 2009 at 1:44 AM
Wow! You Must be new here.
R D on March 20, 2009 at 1:45 AM
Well, time for the hornet to hit the hive.
Good wishes to all here and God bless our troops and our great country.
Good night.
HornetSting on March 20, 2009 at 1:45 AM
Goodnight.
Upstater85 on March 20, 2009 at 1:46 AM
Trying to get on AP’s good side, so you can get your own blog entry privileges. Pretty clever, but futile. Flocking with full-fledged moonbats like you would mangle his already paper-thin cred as a con.
You’re better off over at Kos; they’d love your combo of easy hypocrisy and blind loyalty. Useful idiots are a dime-a-dozen nowadays, but I think you’re plucky enough to pull it off.
TMK on March 20, 2009 at 1:46 AM
Me too. G’nite all……..
R D on March 20, 2009 at 1:49 AM
Dear Obi-wannabe,
…..ah the heck with it. Glad I worked through his Jaywalking vacation. Somebody needed to.
Limerick on March 20, 2009 at 1:49 AM
Wow I didnt even read the AP comment until now……
I am starting to believe AP is starting to suffer from strangenewrespectitis
JVelez on March 20, 2009 at 1:51 AM
Not this time. And this is a first for me. I’ve registered my disappointment, and that’s all I’m going to say about it…but I’m not retracting what I said.
capitalist piglet on March 20, 2009 at 1:53 AM
When the Democrats started attacking Gov. Palin’s experience, they had to find som way to defend then-Sen. Obama. What they came up with was that Obama had experience from running his campaign.
Therefore, for President Obama, campaigning and leading are synonymous. The mark of a successful leader is not that he gets a job done, or anything like that… one need only stay popular to be a good leader.
malclave on March 20, 2009 at 1:55 AM
So, Don Imus makes an offhand attempt at humor that is offensive to African-Americans and Obama grandstands and calls from him to be fired. Obama makes an offhand attempt at humor that is offensive to disabled children and we should all move on and accept his spokesperson’s lame statement. Why was he so unforgiving to Imus, yet we are supposed to immediately be forgiving of him?
People can say whatever they want about G.W. Bush, but he was a gentleman to the very end. He never attempted these little, cheap remarks. It’s kind of like the whole “reset” button deal with Russia. It was meant to be a jab at Bush for being so bad at diplomacy and they were going to be so much better, but it only served to look petty and stupid and backfired when it didn’t come off as planned.
Just play it straight, Mr. President. Quit trying to be the cool, popular guy in the White House. I don’t care what your NCAA picks are or how awesome you think you are because you get to hang out in Hollywood. And quit whining about how Washington is like American Idol and everybody is Simon Cowell. If you can’t stand the heat, get out. Otherwise, shut the hell up.
JohnInCA on March 20, 2009 at 1:57 AM
There’s nothing wrong with Allahpundit that
1. Kirsten Powers
2. A long vacation
3. A stable revenue stream
4. Did I mention Kirsten Powers?
can’t fix.
Terrie on March 20, 2009 at 1:59 AM
Loxodonta on March 20, 2009 at 1:43 AM
If that’s what makes you feel good, then wonderful. Maybe you give yourself a big pat on the back or something.
blue13326 on March 20, 2009 at 1:59 AM
Goodnight
He had a really bad week, really bad. His popularity is springing leaks all over the place.
msmveritas on March 20, 2009 at 2:00 AM
Just earlier in the day he mocked his critics who thought he should be too preoccupied to be on the Tonight Show… I guess he really can’t handle both being POTUS and on TV, but he still thinks he can.
Upstater85 on March 20, 2009 at 2:00 AM
And the icebergs all seem to have Klingon cloaking devices attached to them.
Limerick on March 20, 2009 at 2:02 AM
The O’tanic administration sails on.
Limerick on March 20, 2009 at 2:03 AM
Yeah, even my super-progressive colleagues have been heard moaning disappointment…
Upstater85 on March 20, 2009 at 2:03 AM
I prefer the Uh-bomb-a administration…
Upstater85 on March 20, 2009 at 2:04 AM
Just some observations:
A) Wallah Wpundit is Glenn Beck’s description of a “Sick Freak” and B) Rush’s Limbaugh’s description of an “oddball” and C) our blog community’s description of a virtual humping transvestite crossdressing man trapped-in-a-woman’s-body… (Wooh, gasp for air) robotic bore…(continued below)
If this was Sarah Palin does anybody believe the “she” would give Palin that much slack?
Did “she” get all upset when Obama made a fat joke about Jessica Simpson? Would Bush get such a pass by “her” majesty almighty WallahWpundit blogger?
….D) is afraid to even look at how many anti-AP comments are in this thread, per “her” twitter posts…(check it out at: http://www.twitter.com/allahpundit
So in semi-conclusion (because I’m not done yet) what we see is a really mixed up perfect would-be scalpel-separated siamese brother of Kathleen Parker, (which of course explains the constant barrage of headline links, since surgically separated doesn’t mean mentally apart).
$64.00 exit question: Is there any hope for “her”?
Exit answer: No.
Mcguyver on March 20, 2009 at 2:05 AM
I was trying to be funny.
Loxodonta on March 20, 2009 at 2:06 AM
Nice Zinger – especially on my favorite Feel-Good-Conservative Kathleen Parker *^^*
Upstater85 on March 20, 2009 at 2:10 AM
Thought I would take a trip down memory lane for all the liberals who only have a sense of humor when it is one of them that is saying something stupid and bigoted:
Obama: Fire Imus
Obama First White House Contender to Call for Imus’ Firing Over Racial Slur
By JAKE TAPPER
April 11, 2007—
For Obama, Not All Hateful Rhetoric Is Equal
April 12, 2008 – by Bob Owens
http://pajamasmedia.com/blog/for-obama-not-all-hateful-rhetoric-is-equal/
Where was all that liberal sense of humor then.
Looks like Obama and the liberals that stay on bended knee for him need to “get a life”.
Baxter Greene on March 20, 2009 at 2:11 AM
Gutterball Strikes Again!
chunderroad on March 20, 2009 at 2:14 AM
I thought so, but it is a good point about the 11th commandment though. People have their scraps here and make their peace. In the larger context outside HA this is a time for us all to focus on watching the SS Obama sink and taking Congress in 10. This week was the first sign that can happen. I hope the big names stay focused on that instead of Rush or other side shows.
msmveritas on March 20, 2009 at 2:16 AM
EPIC FAIL!
WisCon on March 20, 2009 at 2:16 AM
This is the first time I’ve seen a quote by Allahpundit that is more right than wrong. It could be that AP is purposely making himself a negative indicator on this issue for the purpose of making some conservatives take time out of attacking Obama on the meaningful stuff. Criticizing Obama on this only makes him appear more human.
Buddahpundit on March 20, 2009 at 2:19 AM
Again, we can also make the argument that Obama shouldn’t be cracking jokes about disabled Americans while Rome is burning. He should be prepping his Geithner-Resignation speech instead of failing to amuse us.
Upstater85 on March 20, 2009 at 2:24 AM
Obama’s big ears are handicapping him from achieving perfection.
I say give the undocumented TOTUS a private “hearing” tutoring, explaining that the voices in his ears are really not Donald Duck trying to mock him.
And then (“quack quack”) show him the difference between a duck, a goose, and a peacock (for good measure).
Then teach him sign language, because apparently he is tone deaf and so therefore when he hears, “quack” he hears it as “duck” and scoots of to go shopping or visiting Jay Leno (the Liberal’s version of an undisclosed location).
Then while he is in the mall looking for peacock feathers (to make him look good) he should be shown the bomb shelter (basement floor of Sachs) so he won’t feel so scared of gun clingers and won’t have to listen to religious solicitors since Sachs prohibits such…
Anyway this story can be continued tomorrow as I’m tired of this job already and I need a “break from the routine”.
Mcguyver on March 20, 2009 at 2:24 AM
Obama’s teleprompter isn’t speaking to him, since the TOTUS began its life as a lowly lexan visor worn by a kid with progeria at just such a Special Olypics meet.
The POTUS’s gross insensitivity was explained, extempo, by Obama (sans teleprompter) in the following manner:
“Well, uh, I mean, er, you gotta understand, that life for a black person in America is like being …in a permanent Special Olympics… ahhhh, where, um, they keep changing the goalposts, and one never knows ….um, how to… ahh… or whether to cross the finish line or jump the gun… but let me thank myself…er, um…. anybody know any good DVD’s?”
profitsbeard on March 20, 2009 at 2:27 AM
Obama made a fat joke about Jessica Simpson? How did I miss that?
capitalist piglet on March 20, 2009 at 2:28 AM
Okay.
I’ve seen serious comments just like it from a few people, so I guess I didn’t pick up on that. Sorry.
capitalist piglet on March 20, 2009 at 2:29 AM
No, that’s just when he has Gibbs-version-teleprompter. Michelle saves the TOTUS for those special nights.
Upstater85 on March 20, 2009 at 2:31 AM
Just looked it up. Good grief. We are being governed by a high school kid.
capitalist piglet on March 20, 2009 at 2:32 AM
One Possibility:
John Stewart didn’t cover it so everyone else said, “Eh, who cares?”
Upstater85 on March 20, 2009 at 2:32 AM
Disgusting. “we” have elected a man who in two months has proven himself unqualified, unfit, and unworthy of the office.
Not the first time…probably not the last. But I’m nauseated all the same. It’s only been two months and he keeps getting worse; at least Bill Clinton had the survival instinct to take it down a couple notches after his first noisy failures.
sulla on March 20, 2009 at 2:33 AM
Yes, Clinton may not know what an unfertilized embryo is, but his political survival skills are superior to Uh-bomb-a’s
Upstater85 on March 20, 2009 at 2:35 AM
The Left, of course, won’t hold him to account for this imbecile. These are the same people who put George W. Bush’s face on a Special Olympian with the caption … well, you know what it said.
Their hypocrisy is breathtaking.
sulla on March 20, 2009 at 2:37 AM
Good planning on the part of the WH to insist on a special taping of the ‘Tonight Show”.
I agree with AP, to an extent, that this was just a open mouth insert foot moment. HOWEVER, after 8 years of non-stop (save for a couple of months after 9-11) of Bush bashing one should expect “the teleprompter kid” to catch grief over this gaffe. And, lots of it.
Now, as President of the United States of America, obama has shown a disturbing pattern of making gaffes. What’s the count up to now, 60 gaffes in 60 days? Most of them little league errors. And, I thought Biden would be the sideshow.
Why aren’t there ANY ADULTS in a democrat WH? The Clinton re-treads didn’t learn anything from the last time around and are acting just as juvenile as the obamabots are.
Maybe Michelle O. can let the WH staff work in her veggie garden. Toiling in the soil surely will teach them some needed life lessons.
Gohawgs on March 20, 2009 at 2:56 AM
Obtuse
Buffoonish
Asinine
Moronic
Abysmal
profitsbeard on March 20, 2009 at 3:04 AM
I’m surprised he didn’t say that Biden’s Rubik Cube has only one color.
Limerick on March 20, 2009 at 3:08 AM
I was trying to be funny with the words in bold with all the exclamation points. Isn’t that like a style that Allahpundit sometimes uses in headlines here? At least that’s what I thought I was trying to mimic.
But, I was being serious about Reagan’s 11th Commandment. There are two things about this site with which I have difficulty, the foul language in general and the bashing of other Republicans and conservatives who disagree about one or two or even several things.
I know this is not Mister Roger’s Neighborhood, but there is a difference between advocating or having a disagreement about a set of principles, as Ed and AP did at the top of this thread, and fighting. We can learn from disagreeing with one another. But, the more time and energy we spend fighting one another, the less we can devote to defeating the Liberal Democrats’ agenda.
And humor, apparently better than mine, will also help.
Loxodonta on March 20, 2009 at 3:12 AM
You are trying to be funny and snarky with that question right, capitalist piglet?
Thought so.
Cause it was on the front pages of grocery checkout magazines.
Mcguyver on March 20, 2009 at 3:16 AM
Look on the bright side, in 2013 the TOTUS will be worth a fortune on eBay.
G’nite HotAirheads. It’s Miller time in Texas.
Limerick on March 20, 2009 at 3:17 AM
Read the comment sections of this Think Progress blog on Bush needling a reporter about his sunglasses and reporter happened to be legally blind
This headline: Bush Insults leagally blind reporter even though the reporter said he was not offended and never told Bush he was legally blind…
Or here from the braintrust at Firedoglake on the subject
See? The left’s rules and now suddenly the left is saying it’s OK to make fun of disabled.
Topsecretk9 on March 20, 2009 at 3:20 AM
or here is the google page bush reporter sunglasses
Results 1 – 10 of about 232,000 for bush reporter sunglasses. (0.26 seconds)
Topsecretk9 on March 20, 2009 at 3:22 AM
I just watched the video, and it seems pretty clear to me that he wasn’t putting down his own bowling skills. He was characterizing the hollow praise he had just received from Leno. That’s sick.
Ronnie on March 20, 2009 at 3:24 AM
I forgot about that one. For those, like me, who’s forgetory is overtaking my memory, here it is, via Michelle.
Loxodonta on March 20, 2009 at 3:25 AM
And what does the 11th commandment have to do with Allahpundit?
Ronnie on March 20, 2009 at 3:25 AM
Thou shalt not speak ill of any fellow Republican.
AllahPundit isn’t a Republican?
Suppose the phrase is modified to Conservative?
Or, am I now not getting your humor?
Loxodonta on March 20, 2009 at 3:30 AM
If he’s either, I’ve seen no evidence.
Ronnie on March 20, 2009 at 3:35 AM
And if he is, he’s hardly due the benefits of a commandment that he regularly ignores.
Ronnie on March 20, 2009 at 3:41 AM
Well then, I guess I have been just assuming that he is one, the other or both.
Loxodonta on March 20, 2009 at 3:41 AM
I don’t recall exceptions for those who break the Commandment.
I think the purpose is to generate collegiality. Sort of like what I remember Congress being like in the olden days.
Loxodonta on March 20, 2009 at 3:44 AM
There’s no guide book as far as I know — It’s just a quote that took root — but if there were a list of exceptions, I think the first one would probably provide the opportunity to chastise those who regularly campaign against their own. But, like I said, I’m not at all convinced that it even applies in this case.
Ronnie on March 20, 2009 at 3:52 AM
Regardless, I think I’m going to try following it here. And until proven otherwise, I’m including AllahPundit. And even if he is a Liberal, Democrat, or both, not all of them are mindless robots or evil plotters. Some can sometimes be worked with. So, even if it seems foolish, that’s what I will try to do. And now, my insomnia is ending, so goodnight. Thanks for conversing.
Loxodonta on March 20, 2009 at 4:07 AM
Typical AP, apologize for the liberal, criticize the conservative.
TOTUS basically said he was RETARDED, but that is OK per AP, but if a conservatives calls someone a retard, AP goes apeshit.
WoosterOh on March 20, 2009 at 4:15 AM
You mean like this one?
http://thepeoplescube.com/red/viewtopic.php?t=64&start=0&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=&sid=6d3674e4caf2c9d23eb9f77da6605912
poplicola on March 20, 2009 at 4:57 AM
Hey Ed!
I have the video posted on Scoop This!
SCOOPTHIScarlos on March 20, 2009 at 5:21 AM
Sorry, I diagree. Obama reaps what he sows. He hasn’t tried to bill himself as some plain-speaking man of the people. No, he’s a deity with one of the highest intellects we’ve ever seen in public office.
The truth? He’s socially inept, and he simply cannot think on his feet and he cannot speak well extemporaneously. The guy is an absolute mess.
Obama has fed the media monster that he’s too big to fail. I have no problem jumping on every instance that demonstrates that this POS is an emperor with no clothes.
BuckeyeSam on March 20, 2009 at 5:33 AM
.
That is one of the weakest examples of political rhetoric known to western politics.
ronsfi on March 20, 2009 at 5:37 AM
Remember when then-state senator Obama argued for doctors in Illinois to be allowed to kill a newborn if inadvertantly born alive during an abortion? The newborn in that case had Downs.
Remember how Obama’s campaign quietly orchestrated personal media attacks on Gov. Palin after her son Trig (who has Downs) was born?
Remember how Obama’s campaign made fun of Sen. McCain for being too disabled to write his own email?
Then this joke. He clearly harbors contempt for those he views as beneath him.
Consanescerion on March 20, 2009 at 6:11 AM
Yeaaah, tell you what: AllahPundit first.
Kensington on March 20, 2009 at 6:13 AM
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