I watched it with my mother, who is so relieved we have an intelligent and reasonably public-interest oriented guy in the WH now. He came across rather well and we needn't take any rubbish about appropriateness - of course it's OK. Red tie too long? No big deal

Obama, laughing, replied that Leno made it seem as if "it was like Special Olympics or something."

Gaffe, yes. But at least Obama doesn't take his bowling as serious as Bush took his pitch at the 2001 World Series:

“I never felt that anxious any other time during my presidency, curiously enough.�

Only those who have never made a Special Olympics joke have a right to criticize. Admittedly, the public nature of the quip was unfortunate and, no doubt Obama will apologize and rightly so, but the awry joke was a very human thing to happen. Men get a little defensive when their prowess is questioned, even in jest. Who knew?

You forgot Nixon on "Laugh-In"!

I would also add that Clinton did an interview with Gene Siskel on Siskel and Ebert and democracy survived,

Also about the "joke" that President Obama made. This something that outside the state of Illinois you might not know.

Several years back the president of the state chapter of the Special Olympics, introduced a younger Obama at an event. Where he met a young girl named Katlin (I believe this is a bit far back for me to recall clearly), and she showed him how to bowl. Evidently she was quite good. That may have been the genesis of the statement. It is still a gaffe, but I don't think there was any malice involved.

Not sure it makes it any better, but he does at the very least have some connection to the organization. I can't dig up the news article on the subject, but I believe MSNBC may have mentioned it during their coverage.

If the political world obsesses over off-hand jokes that fall flat, then it's in stark contrast to the political world that excused every gaffe W made for eight years in office. For instance, several times Bush repeated the line, "we do not torture", everyone knows that was a really bad joke on us.

Although I watch Leno intermittently, the times I do serve mainly to remind me how good Johnny Carson was at what he did. Leno's just mediocre and has been for quite a while.

"Only those who have never made a Special Olympics joke have a right to criticize."

Not having a right never stopped the crazies.

Obama reportedly apologized to Tim Shriver before the show even aired -- which totally botches the outrage->apology dynamic.

If the apology is insufficient, Obama's only recourse is to invite Special Olympians to the White House for a day of bowling. And God help him if he whups them.

You know what joke was even MORE outrageous??? Obama comparing the highly highly intelligent, really really smart, hard-working and very very sensitive and gracious (and good-looking) White House Press Corps to SIMON COWELL!

According to the link below, Barack called the Chairman of the Special Olympics to apologize:

He expressed his disappointed and he apologized in a way that was very moving. He expressed that he did not intend to humiliate this population," Shriver said Friday on ABC's "Good Morning America." Obama, Shriver said, wants to have some Special Olympic athletes visit the White House to bowl or play basketball.

Still, Shriver said, "I think it's important to see that words hurt and words do matter. And these words that in some respect can be seem as humiliating or a put down to people with special needs do cause pain and they do result in stereotypes."

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/news/2009/03/obama_apologizes_for_special_olympics_gaffe.php

Two quick thoughts. First, I've seen some suggest it's un-presidential for Obama to join Jay Leno for a chat.

Frankly, I think it's a good thing for our presidency to become a little less imperial. The president is a politician, not a king.

Who can forget that Richard Nixon went on "Laugh-In"- apparently Senator Kyl, who criticized President Obama for going on Leno did.

While Obama made an insensitive, off-the-cuff gaffe, there is no question that in his heart, he actually feels compassion and respect for special needs children.

If Bush, or Rush Limbaugh or some other Republican makes the same joke, there is no question that it's intended as a deliberately cutting remark, coming from a deep well of anger at anyone different or less privileged than themselves.

That's the essence of right-wing "humor."

We watched this last night with a friend whose relative is a Special Ed teacher. She said her relative's attitude was that the millions of dollars spent on the Special Olympics would be much better used teaching the participants basic survival and coping skills. One of the phrases used was "teaching them to wipe their ass."

It's one of those big, expensive, American gestures that makes people feel good, makes them feel like they've done something, but accomplishes nothing. No point in making fun of the competitors, but no amount of scorn directed at the corporations that back it and plaster their logos all over it, while supporting tax policies that starve worthwhile social programs, is too little.

I've been watching Obama for years now, like everyone else, but the Obama brand is the most carefully produced brand in the history of American politics. It's crafted to make it look authentic, but it becomes clearer every day that Obama is as scripted as Reagan was.

You forgot Nixon on "Laugh-In"!

I could be wrong about this, but I remember Laugh-In as a prime-time variety show, not a late-night talk show.

Be that as it may, didn't Zachary Taylor make a number of appearances on the late-night circuit? He used to do this really funny recurring bit called "Stupid President Tricks." Or, am I thinking of John Tyler?

Seems to me the post fact "explanations" inevitably do more to stir up and continue these non-events than just letting the comment be what it was, an ever-so-slightly off color (for the sitting President, anyway) remark that is delivered so inoffensively and an inherently self-deprecatory way as to only offend those looking, hoping, praying for something to be offended by. You know, pundits and Joe Buck.

A gaffe. O hell. Didn't we just have 8 full years of President Gaff-O-Matic?

Every time I watch a 'supporter' get all wiggy over one imperfection, it makes me realize that maybe they really did believe he was a messiah.

Thing is, it'll probably result in some very targeted attention to these matters, where before, with everything else going down, it would have remained unseen.

But please, feel free to continue having the vapors.

Dare we hope some bright media person compares this to radio-poo-flinger, sorry, I mean Republican leader, Rush Limbaugh's malevolent verbal mockery of Michael Fox's Parkinson's-induced speech patterns. I seem to recall The Rash felt not a shred of guilt and apologized to noone.

Not that two wrongs make a right, But maybe some of these major media concern trolls could just STFU about this and focus on some real problems for a change.

"It's crafted to make it look authentic, but it becomes clearer every day that Obama is as scripted as Reagan was."
NealB

I hear your argument, but all I see is straw holding it up. Where's the beef?

My younger brother is mentally retarded and has participated in Special Olympics. Personally, I'm more offended by the routine use of "retarded" as a pejorative than by the president's self-deprecation of his bowling ability.

Richard Nixon was still just running for President when he appeared on Laugh-In, so Obama's appearance is still apparently a "first." The below from Wikipedia is a bit sad at the end, and we wonder how differently history might have turned out!:

During the September 16, 1968 episode, Richard Nixon, running for president, appeared for a few seconds with a disbelieving vocal inflection, asking "Sock it to me?" Nixon was not doused or assaulted. An invitation was extended to Nixon's opponent, Vice-President Hubert Humphrey, but he declined. According to George Schlatter, the show's creator, "Humphrey later said that not doing it may have cost him the election."

PS: "NealB" is not me - noted due to (surely accidental) similarity.

NealB, you're way off-base on that one. I've known the president for a couple of years and what you see is what you get with the guy. It looks authentic because is is authentic.

The Special Olympics joke was a mistake, but fortunately slipped in over applause. It was no doubt spontaneous, but followed, admidst the major policy wonking, some humorous bits he no doubt had in mind when he went on. But it always has seemed to me that Barack is a modern kind of guy who can actually see things simulataneously in different contexts. The kind of guy who is capable of maybe making a "politically incorrect" joke that seems to express the opposite of his actual attitudes, and is in a way about "political correctness" itself, etc. Like a lot of people I know occasionally do. Anyone ever watch the Colbert Report? He just revealed a little more of himself than is acceptable to the more simple minded amongst us who require that the President play the role of The President at all times. Maybe they never heard the Nixon tapes. (Although apparently somehow our former Smirking Chimp fulfilled the role just fine.)

About him doing a talk show: From second hand reports on the stuff I actually read, it seems like those on the far right have accused Barack of needing a teleprompter to be articulate, part of the empty-suit, he's just a world famous celebrity famous for being famous sort of criticism. And then I see him at a press conference and typically someone asks some little question and he goes on articulately and coherently forever with the reply! Going on a talk show like Leno might partly be to dispel that myth among the Joe Sixpack crowd.
Also, he has PERFECT teeth.

I thought St Ronny was "The Gong Show".

I know some do, but how in the hell can anyone in the world wish to have a beer with Bush rather than Obama?

I'm not outraged by this comment, but I am very disappointed.

Be honest, folks. If Bush had said the same thing, you wouldnt be making excuses for him. Basic intellectual honesty demands that we hold Obama to the same standard.

While Obama made an insensitive, off-the-cuff gaffe, there is no question that in his heart, he actually feels compassion and respect for special needs children.

If Bush, or Rush Limbaugh or some other Republican makes the same joke, there is no question that it's intended as a deliberately cutting remark, coming from a deep well of anger at anyone different or less privileged than themselves.

That's the essence of right-wing "humor."

Posted by: scribe9 on March 20, 2009 at 10:21 AM

Do you really believe that scribe9? I mean, that's pretty hard to defend. "Anything Democrats say is a minor gaffe; anything Republicans say shows that they're evil" It's highly unpersuasive.

Let's hold all our elected officials to the same standard. We cant get outraged when a Republican does something if we let it slide when a Democrat does the same thing.

I'm with MissMudd. It won't take long to dig out the profanity laced comments of Bush and Cheney. What jerks.

I second B00mer. When Nixon was making his "comeback", he did several spot appearances on "Laugh-in"; the catch phrase of the show "Sock it to me!" --- which usually ended with somebody getting drenched --- became in his delivery a very surprised "Sock it to me?".

It was a clever move on his part, because he was associating with a show that was irreverent --- to say the least --- and certainly left-leaning and even reckless in its humor. There was a skit involving Army recruiting with Martin and Tony Curtis in which the kicker was the realization on the part of both characters --- a recruiter and a prospect --- that both of them were gay. This was out there even for 1969. And some of it served to soften Nixon's image --- to the regret of us all.

Anyway, the ranting and raving on the part of the Obama samshers is all hypocrisy and projection. If that's all they've got, screw 'em. Nah, don't even bother. Let them go off in the corner and dribble on themselves. They're not even worthy of contempt.

How soon we forget! In 1992, Bill Clinton appeared on the Arsenio Hall Show playing his sax. Said Arsenio, "It's nice to see a Democrat blow something besides an election."

It's important to note that the SO comment was self-deprecating. Compare that to the speech of Rush, Coulter, or other admired conservatives and you'll hardly find them using similar phrases for the same rhetorical purpose.

I'm pretty sure Bill Clinton was a candidate when he appeared on Arsenio rather than the president.

No one has criticized so I will, Obama made a retard joke and he should be held out to dry for a day. Special Olympics, seriously, that is off limits to anyone. Quit making excuses and quit using the Bush as cover. This is as offensive as the Merkel back rub and we played with that for months.

I am getting so sick of every move and every word being defended like Fox defends republicans. Call Obama out when he needs to be called out. It might no be fair, but if one of my friends made a retard joke in polite company I would be pissed, and when my President does it, I am even more pissed.

So any chances The Washington Monthly might actually write about anything else from the interview, nope, so you are covering it the same as fox, except you position is different, but the report is the same. Ya, those damn conservatives only report Obama's retard joke, horrible. They spin, you spin, nothing new about that.

That comment is going to haunt him for a long time and it should. Is it as bad a the watermelon/White House lawn joke, no, but it's up there. What was he thinking ?

You could see how offended the audience was by the president's special Olympics comment. Apparently, not at all. As far as push back goes on Republican outrage about Obama's appearance on Leno's show dare we ask them about what they thought about Bush attending John McCain's birthday while hurricane Katrina was wading ashore in NO. Perhaps they also have some views on presidents who set new records for vacation time in the midst of two wars? It would be interesting to ask them publicly wouldn't it?

One slight undervoiced remark on a late night TV show pales against some of the other offenses made by WH people over the years. Edith Wilson's penchant for telling "little brown neighbors" jokes to the dignataries who visited her and her husband, President Woodrow Wilson immediately comes to mind.

We've come along way as we move through the early 21st century, and I suggest that any outrage displayed today regarding Pres. Obama's gaffe is simply for political gamesmanship! -Kevo

Just out of curiosity ScottW what sort of impolite company would be an acceptable venue for such a joke so as to diminish your pissedoffedness. In the locker room perhaps or out drinking with the boys? Do I detect a hint of hypocrisy?

Just out of curiosity ScottW what sort of impolite company would be an acceptable venue for such a joke so as to diminish your pissedoffedness. In the locker room perhaps or out drinking with the boys? Do I detect a hint of hypocrisy?

As the onslaught of critics bubble up and over over this (I anticipate they will in the next few days), The Obama administration and spokespersons will be best served if they keep in mind that just earlier that day, hours before taping Leno-- Obama did a town hall in LA wherein he was asked a question by a disabled man about the role of the disabled and the ADA:

Obama clearly indicated his strong support for empowering the ADA and for finding more venues wherein the disabled can be taken seriously and have a voice in our nation.

I'll second jonp72's comment re use of "retarded" as a pejorative.

ScottW, how nice of you to continue the Manufactured Outrage. Good job.

Sorry, this is nothing but manufactured outrage!

This is what should make everyone sick of the hypocritical spin that goes on in the blogosphere. "Gee, what a shame that the media has to focus on a verbal misstep by Obama. Such silly obsessions by those in the political world."

Bullcrap! If a Republican was president and he said the same thing, would people like Benen just dismiss it as a mistake and advise people to give him a break??? No, they would jump on it for all its snarky, cheap political points.

Intellectual honesty is nowhere to be seen.

Just out of curiosity ScottW what sort of impolite company would be an acceptable venue for such a joke so as to diminish your pissedoffedness. In the locker room perhaps or out drinking with the boys? Do I detect a hint of hypocrisy?

Sorry about the multiple posts. Not sure what's up but I'm out of here until I fix it.

Craig, on the surface, of course, you are correct about the double standard and if Obama were to develop a reputation for mean-spirited, insensitive cracks, it would be cause for genuine outrage, but that is not the case. I'm sure few doubt that Obama immediately regretted the comment for more than political reasons. Bush, on the other hand, was notorious for being a jerk. Obama slipped into dumb jock talk for a second; it happens. If a republican with a less tarnished image, in this regard, than Bush made the same mistake the response would be different than for Obama, but the mini-furor would die quickly.

MsJoanne: sorry to burst your bubble, but I'm an Obama supporter, thus I have no reason to manufacture outrage. My disappointment in him for the comment is genuine.

Be honest with yourself: if Bush or Palin had said the same thing, would you be as forgiving? I suspect you'd be all over them for it. And rationalizations like Michael7843853's are weak tea.

Don't forget Nixon saying "Sock it to me!" on Laugh-In.

While the president's remark was unfortunate and I'm sure unintended to mock Special Olympians (and I'm glad he apologied), perhaps instead the media should focus on Governor Palin who is refusing federal stimulus money for education and who had previously tried to cut monies for special education, she who has a Downs child.

I'd like to see the President invite Special Olympians (not just bowlers) to the White House.

Sorry, folks, but I think you should expect the Obama remark to be fair game for criticism. As Keith Olberman noted last night, it reveals the PR dangers of appearing on a venue such as the Tonight Show. For Obama, lesson learned (I suspect and hope). I can't defend the remark; it was insensitive and stupid. If he had personal experience w/ Special Olympics bowlers - all the more so.

And I am not terribly shocked at the fixation by the media on this sort of thing. It is what they do. It is of a piece with the AIG bonuses. While there are reporters trying to advance substantive stories, it is the side show that gets the most play (and, so, the most pay). This story will hold them until the next trivial matter gets 'hold of the hive.

To quote the famous Pico at Salon.com

"Arguing on the internet is like being in the Special Olympics, even if you win you're still retarded".

Put me down as another Obama supporter who thinks the comment was disparaging to the developmentally disabled (perhaps because my brother has Down Syndrome).

Although I think he is absolutely the best person running to actually BE President in these times, he's not perfect. He has a bit of an "insensitive" streak that led to the this comment and to the "You're likable enough Hillary" comment as well.

They both warrant apologies and I would hope Obama would learn from them, but on the other hand is his unscripted openness that is really refreshing and is one of the reasons I'm glad he's POTUS.

So I guess these comments are in part the price we pay to get a President who can think on his feet and talk off the cuff.

A bonus of this character trait is that he doesn't think being President makes him God. I like how he talked about having Air Force One and how cool it was to get the jacket with the seal on it. He's got the Everyman side to him that is so attractive.

Surprise, surprise. He's a real person, warts and all. What you see is what you get. And what I see is the right person in the job.

Obama's point, though inartful & ill-advised because of the likelihood it would be miscontrued, was that, contrary to Leno's kidding, he was not any less skilled a bowler than someone who had an excuse not to be good bowler -- like someone with special needs.

As a very few commenters suggested, the difference between this unfortunate remark & some made by Republicans, is that few think Obama looks down on any group of people who may have an "other" or "different" quality. The same is not true of Republicans who so often live in the closed world that when Kanye West said, "George Bush doesn't care about black people," the only disagreement most people had was the statement was that West should have left out the word "black."

Yes, words matter. But so does intent.

The Constant Weader at www.RealityChex.com

I think it is unpresidential to appear on late night TV talk shows. Obama should be smarter than that. TV is junk culture. Throwing out the first ball at a baseball game is a far more diginified and much-loved tradition. You can't compare the two. Also, his gaffe was very dumb. I am an Obama supporter, so I was disappointed by his poor judgement in this case.

He has hurt many families in America. He needs to say he is sorry in the public, not to an organization.

In addition, someone who claims to have experienced prejudice and stereotypes throughout life, and has written about them in great detail, should be more sensitive and refined from life's lessons.

Furthermore, Obama claimed he was going to have the world think 'highly' of America again. Will this joke help?

For someone who spoke of equality as a creed. Does this joke match that philosophy?

For someone that said he would stand for all people. Does this stand up for those that participate in the Special Olympics?

The fact is Obama claimed a higher standard. To much is given, much is required.

Obama has just showed us that 'yes we can' destroy what a campaign stands for with a single joke.

During the campaign for the White House in 2008, the media criticized Palin for being ‘common,’ 'not-polished,' 'not-compassionate' and ‘not presidential.’ However, compare Sarah Palins attitude in this video created three weeks ago for the Special Olympics in Boise, Idaho.

You decide the more ‘presidential’ among them. Watch: http://tinyurl.com/ccz6nj