Download the Politics Daily Toolbar
Our new toolbar integrates the latest news and analysis into your Web browser and installs in seconds. Download it now!

Politics DailyPolitics Daily

  • HOME
  • ABOUT
  • COLUMNISTS
  • TOPICS
  • THE CAPITOLIST
  • WOMAN UP
  • DAILY FLOTUS
  • JUST IN
  • THE CRAM
  • CONTACT

    Stay in Touch

  • Inside Politics Daily

    President Obama Makes 'Special Olympics' Crack on Leno

    Posted:
    03/20/09
    Update 3: Over at Hot Air, Captain Ed and Allahpundit are dueling it out over whether to make a big deal out of this. Here's what I think.

    Update 2:
    Obama Deputy Press Secretary Bill Burton issued this statement to reporters:
    "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."


    Update:
    I just got the advance transcript, which can't be released until the show airs, but the remark that Olbermann references is in there, pretty much exactly as he says:
    Q Now, are they going to put a basketball –- I imagine the bowling alley has been just burned and closed down.

    THE PRESIDENT: No, no. I have been practicing all –- (laughter.)

    Q Really? Really?

    THE PRESIDENT: I bowled a 129. (Laughter and applause.)

    Q No, that's very good. Yes. That's very good, Mr. President.

    THE PRESIDENT: It's like - it was like Special Olympics, or something. (Laughter.)

    Q No, that's very good.

    THE PRESIDENT: No, listen, I'm making progress on the bowling, yes.
    Keith Olbermann watched the live feed from Barack Obama's Tonight Show appearance this afternoon, and he reported on a gaffe that could be trouble for the President. I love the look on Keith's face when Late Late Show host Craig Ferguson tells him he just ruined the President's chance to have the gaffe erased in editing:



    I do need to point out that, elsewhere in the Countdown episode, Keith himself makes jokes about Tourette Syndrome. Classy.

    Check back later to see if the remark survives editing.

    Tommy on: Daily Dose I I Twitter
    Order The Audacity of Democracy Starring Tommy Christopher
    Get the new
    PD toolbar!





    Follow PoliticsDaily On Facebook and Twitter,
    and download the new Politics Daily toolbar!

    Tommy Christopher

    Tommy Christopher is a freelance writer, blogger, and online journalist based out of New Jersey and Washington, DC...more

    Contact Tommy Christopher

    subscribe to: RSS email: Tommy Christopher

    Related Articles

    Related Articles

    • Happening Right Now

       
    Politics Daily on Facebook

    Other News

     
    News Logo