President Obama Makes 'Special Olympics' Crack on Leno

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