[Updates - see below]
I thought all the talk about it being unseemly for the Prez to appear on the Jay Leno show was pretty silly. But in light of Obama's insensitive remarks about the disabled, the naysayers may have a valid point:
Leno asked the president whether the White House bowling alley had been "burned and closed down" in light of Obama's gutter ball embarrassment on the campaign trail last year.
Obama replied, "No, no. I have been practicing . . . I bowled a 129."
The audience roared with laughter, and the late-night talk show host assured Obama "that's very good, Mr. President." To which Obama interjected, "It's like -- it was like Special Olympics, or something."
The audience laughed
I wonder if Jon Favreau wrote that line for the Prez.
The President also said some things that I liked, such as:
Mr. Obama said that he would like to see a change in tax policy “going back to the 1990s, where you and I, who are doing fairly well, pay a little bit more to pay for health care, to pay for energy, to make sure the kids can go to college who aren’t as fortunate as my kids might be. Those are the kinds of measured steps we can take.”
UPDATE 1: "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 #2: President Obama apologized before the show aired and invited Special Olympics athletes to the White House for basketball or bowling. Special Olympics Chairman Tim Shriver said on the Today Show that Obama's apology was "very moving."
Obama Politics News Presidential Gaffe Disabled