Obama Apologizes For Special Olympics Joke, Wants Athletes To Help Him Improve Bowling Score (VIDEO)

UPDATE: Kolan McConiughey, a Special Olympics bowling champion with an average score of 266, is challenging President Obama to a game, TMZ reports:

Kolan -- who works at a grocery store in Ann Arbor, Mich. -- said he'd love to go to the White House to beat Barack on his own lane. Kolan said, "He's cool, but he can't beat me."

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WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama has apologized to the chairman of the Special Olympics for his late-night talk show quip equating his bowling skills to those of athletes with disabilities.

Appearing on "The Tonight Show" Thursday, the president told host Jay Leno he'd been practicing at the White House's bowling alley but wasn't happy with his score of 129. Then he remarked: "It was like the Special Olympics or something."

The audience laughed, but the White House quickly recognized the blunder. The Special Olympics is a non-profit organization dedicated to individuals with mental and physical disabilities.

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On his way back to Washington on Air Force One, Obama called the chairman of the Special Olympics, Tim Shriver, to say he was sorry -- even before the taped program aired late Thursday night.

"He expressed his disappointment 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. "He, I think importantly, said he was ready to have some of our athletes over to the White House to bowl or to play basketball, or help him improve his score."

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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."

Shriver is the son of Special Olympics founder Eunice Kennedy Shriver and nephew of Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, whose endorsement early in the Democratic primaries was critical to Obama winning his party's nomination.

Deputy Press Secretary Bill Burton told reporters traveling with Obama that the president's offhand remark was not meant to disparage the Special Olympics, only to poke some fun at the commander in chief's bowling skills.

"He thinks that the Special Olympics are a wonderful program that gives an opportunity to shine to people with disabilities from around the world," Burton said.

Despite making fun of his score, the president appears to be getting better the more he visits the White House lanes, which President Truman installed in 1947. During a campaign photo op a year ago at a bowling alley in Altoona, Pa., he rolled only a 37 in seven frames. The clip of the disastrous game was replayed on late night television shows such as Leno's _ one of Obama's few campaign gaffes.

Comments

[mswizz]

ENOUGH! It's over, done. I think it's time to move on to OTHER important matters like, oh Gee, I dunno...bringing our sons and daughters, Husbands & Wives, Mothers & Fathers home from this damn 'war' or maybe the state of our poor health care system or HEY! What about the sad state of our economy?? Now before you all go brow beating me, I am the mommy of a 2 year old 'Downy' Daughter so I DO know what it's like. But unlike some I have seen and read on here, we REFUSE to put the 'DIS' in our daughters ability. Yes, I thought the joke was in poor taste but ya know what? Name me one single person who has NEVER made a joke, or laughed at one and I will part the Red Sea.

[thewaltons]

I didn't find our President's comment particularly funny, but I wasn't particularly offended by it either. I don't have a problem laughing at anyone's disabilities or obstacles because we all have them in some form or another. But, I do have a problem with jokes that hurt. I didn't think the President's words meant he didn't love or respect Special Olympians. I actually thought the butt of that joke was people who feign admiration for the Olympians --not the Olympians (or their supporters). I certainly do respect anyone who rises to and meets the challenges of life, but have made similar comments myself and I never meant to denigrate the Olympians or their supporters.

So, this presidential gaffe has enlightened me. Of course, I understand that there is a huge difference between laughing at someone and mocking them. In the past, I would have thought we were laughing together. Because of the reaction of the participants in the Special Olympics and the people who love them (and I love them too), I know that for them, this is no laughing matter. So, the next time I hear a joke that adds fire to the flame of misconceptions about people with disabilities, I will be offended and I am really sorry for not being offended the last time.

Much gratitude to everyone who took offense and used their anger to explain to the rest of us.

[Dupree]

PART I

I am offfended by a lot of things that are going on as a result of this evident misspoken comment. First of all, the President did misspoke in an attempt to make fun of his own bowling abilities and unfortunately...used the wrong terminology to expressed that "joke" which was designed to make a self depreciation comment about himself. Every person that has some resemblance of intelligence knows this without wavering if in fact they saw the video in context.

The President did the only thing he could do after such a gaffe...he identified himself..was sensitive enough to recognize how that may offend...and APOLOGIZED. What more could any human being do in such a situation? He can not go back and inhale the words that were already released from his mouth....he apologized which was the appropriate thing to do. Now everyone is seeking to use this as a catalyst to bring forth their already existing desire to attack him. He did not attack Special Olympics ...he inadvertently misspoked. Now, even Special Olympics...the Chairman...is pushing for this president to hire someone to be in his administration....that is intellectually challenged. Even after he acknowledges that Obama already have a lot of physically disabled people in his administration, apparently ....it is not enough.

[Dupree]

PART II

He is pushing him to "set the example" and hire intellectually challnged people in his cabinet. It is a teaching time for everyone and that includes the chairman of the Special Olympics as well. I can appreciate if he requested that jobs be created or programs for hire be enacted...but to try to exploit this situation to force the President to hire someone that is intellectually challenged (and all due respect) at the height of a crisis that it is questionable if the intellectuals even know how to manage ...is the equivalent of trying to exploit a situation to one's agenda's advantage.

It is a time for teaching that words do matter and words do hurt...when mistakes are made...they should be immediately recognized (the president did) if an apology is in order ..then apologize (the president did) and if sincere...forgiveness is in order as well. A teaching moment for all of us on this planet. It is not a time to exploit the situation...even for a good cause. I can appreciate if Shrivers requested jobs be specifically designed to help intellectually challenged persons...for I agree with that...but to have the gall to put pressure on the president to elect someone deliberately in his administration tha tis intellectually challenged ...do not compute comfortably with me. We need to learn how to make lemon-aid out of lemons without the extortion quality.

[Dupree]

PART III

In order to treat one another as equal human beings disabled physically, emotionally, mentally or intellectually...we must first recognize that all of us...regardless of an apparent disability or an apparent non-disabled person...should not be expected to totally act as if our differences are not there or should not be in consideration for particular job functions. That is a fact of life that we would do well to not pretend it isn't. I would not want a surgeon who happens to have uncontrollable nervous condition to operate on me with a trembing knife in his hands. I mean that with every fiber of my being. It is not cruel or mean spirited...it is a fact of the conditions on ground level called reality. On the other hand....if one is non-disabled and lack compassion or the ability to express empathy...I do not want that non-disabled person in charge of a orphanage simply because he needs a job. This is indeed a learning opportunity for all of us to gain knowledge.

[Dupree]

PART IV

I do think that jobs opportunities should be addressed for the intellectually challenged disabled among us...they do have valuable skills that need to be explored and uitlize..but to try to force this president to simply put one in his cabinet at the greatest crisis of all time...would be reckless and irresponsible....I am not the least bit timid to acknowledge that we need more intelligent disabled or non-disabled in this cabinet at this time and we can not afford to play exploit the situation with Shrivers who may be well intentional to fix a problem...but guess what..this administration need to fix an equally and much challenging problem as well that will ultimately impact all of us...disabled and non-disabled if he does not. And by the way, I am a parent of a child that did participated in the special olympics.

[ggmome]

My great grandchild was born without arms, and I challenge President Obama to invite those special people to the White House to beat him bowling, this would make him acutely aware of just how truly 'special' they are.

[dessertsfirst]

Amazing! Kolan gets what Pres Obama was trying to say... that the Pres "sucks" at bowling, and is working to improve. You go, Kolan! I'm sure you could give our Pres some good pointers.

[dct1999]

I have a developmentally disabled nephew who has competed in special olympics events, so maybe I have a heightened sensitivity to the issue. I wasn't so much offended as I was disappointed and surprised by the comment.

What really offends me is the way in which the MSM has reacted, but I'm definitely not surprised by that.

President Obama behaved like a responsible adult. He apologized immediately (both privately and publicly). This is a perfect illustration of why news departments continue to lose viewers.

[Jaking]

AMEN!! and GOD bless your nephew!! I saw ann coulter last night and she called them retards!! and my stomach just turned!! now where is the outrage about that from the w.i.c.k.e.d. MSM!!!

[jtown]

F*** THIS, there are more F****** things going on then this.
MOVE ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[jbjd]

I have re-watched the clip of the President of the United States of America, uttering those off-color remarks about the Special Olympics during last week’s taped appearance on NBC’s The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Casting the incident in its most positive light, even supporters commenting on the blogs concede, this was an attempt at self-deprecating humor gone awry. But they are wrong.

BO made that comment - “This is like Special Olympics or something” - after Jay responded to his statement, he bowled a 129. See, he said he bowled 129; Jay jabbed, “That’s very good,” followed by a glance over at Kevin, fingers placed on his lips, as if to squelch a laugh; and a head turn back to his guest to repeat the sequence, with exaggerated sincerity. “No, that’s very good,” and then the glance-to-Kevin-fingers-over-mouth-to-keep-from-laughing maneuver, propping up his act with half-hearted clapping. BO, who had been smiling broadly, now chuckled aloud and, reaching out his left hand to touch Jay’s right sleeve, countered with, “This is like Special Olympics or something.”

I believe that, unable to tolerate Jay’s good-humored mocking at his announced bowling score, BO drew a false parallel between that reaction and the response of spectators attending the Special Olympics. That is, he wrongly likened Jay’s insincere exaggerated ‘praise’ of his bowling performance to the genuine pride pouring from spectators cheering the athletic accomplishments of Special Olympians.

jbjd.wordpress.com/.com/

[FabulousAt52]

[rolls eyes]

[Ugonna]

"unable to tolerate"? No, he was playing along with Leno, and saying "oh, you're saying its like the special olympics, LOL". Cause like you said, Jay was giving him false credit for scoring a 129. So, again, he was playing along with Jay and putting himself down.

I think the best way to be a good president is to look stiff serious all the time, and pretend you don't know what a joke is. Otherwise, everyone wants to be a hypocrite.

[willt7311]

This isn't about the comment, this is about the hypocrisy of the reaction.

Again, everyone defending the President must ask themselves how they would have reacted if George Bush would have said it. How would they have reacted if a Republican would have made this comment.

The hypocrisy is what matters.

[mmgbizgirl]

It was a joke in bad taste. The president has apologized and will be meeting with special olympics members to fully apologize.

Bush NEVER CARED that he pissed off people and you'd be pushing up daisies waiting for an apology from him.

Obama's few F-up's don't begin to compare with the encyclopedia of F-up's by G.B. Obama has done what a normal person would do and that is why there is a level of forgiveness from people.

[michyh]

Let's look at what they both DID or will DO , instead of what they joke around about.
Obama goofed, for sure. I have two special Olympians in my family and one who is chair of the org for our state , so I have cred on this.
What did Bush do for special needs folks? He changed their lives for hte worse with NCLB and no funds,etc.
What has OB already done? More funds for Spec needs and a very clear understanding of the challenges for the population and teachers,etc.
Time will judge them both but I suspect we can guess at teh winner.

[Zoe2]

He said he was sorry. What do you want? His right leg? Holding a resentment is like taking poison and hoping the other person dies. By the way, I haven't even thought of Bush in a long time, I have more to concentrate on in "the present".

[flatus]

We would not have been surprised had Bush said it.

[FabulousAt52]

I would not be offended if George Bush Junior made the same joke about his being in the Special Olympics ... However, I would very much believe it.

For godssakes, get over it. He didn't mean any harm, he was making fun of HIMSELF, not others, and yes, he apologized. Did he need to?? Well that depends, have any of you EVER laughed at ANY comedian using "Special Olympics" in their punch line?? Come on....

[jbjd]

He wasn't making fun of himself. He was making fun of Jay's praise, likening Jay's conduct to that to people who cheer on Special Olympians.

[exxonmobil4prez]

I ask you this.. Where were these same outraged folks over the 8 years of hypocrisy??? They were supporting their lame president.. Now they did not vote for Obama so...... as usual they grasp at what ever "imperfections" Obama has and hold them up to the villagers like raw red meat.. And for all those folks that say we have him on a pedestal.. I think from their reactions that THEY in fact have him on a pedestal. The bottom line is this.. do you really, really think that Obama hates these people. It's once more an opportunity to make a big deal over a lamo mistake he made in a joke.. Jokes can really be risky.. Even Schwartznager, Maria's husband, and a republican stated he screwed up before too.. so ya he is NOT the messiah like some folks thought.. (SIC)
He does not live the joke like Bush did.. He just sucks at some jokes and bowling.. bad bad president.

[harriscrl3]

With all this fake outrage this may end up being a plus for special olyjmpics because it gives them attention see sometimes life hands you a lemon and you make lemonade. I would love to hear how Sarah Palin is going to justify her outrage at what President Obama said but reject money for special education.

Americans need to learn how to use a mistake and turn into a positive. Obama is good at that with the Rev Wright thing he turned it into a call for healing the racial divide. Making a mistake is not the problem its what you do abou tit that matters.

Carol

[Klimb]

Well said!

[rf-hawaii]

May be a plus?

Duh.

All special interests live for the day that a politician misspeaks on their behalf. Free promotion.

[chibbles]

Wow all these advocates for special needs citizens. I'll be happy to provide you all with links to organiztions that could use your support. How about putting your money where your mouth is, heh?
I donate to the ASA monthly.

http://www.autism-society.org/site/PageServer

An upcoming fund raising endeavor:

http://www.autism-society.org/site/PageServer?pagename=bounce_landing

All the outrage on this page we should have record breaking donations.

My son is autistic. The Presidents gaff didn't bother me, my husband or my son. My son could kick the Prez but at bowling. He thinks a 129 isn't very good.

[BEHM777]

My oldest child is autistic. I wasn't offended either, because any truly sentient being knows where the POTUS was coming from and what he meant. I doubt he'd make such a careless remark in the future--Michelle would have his head!

[willt7311]

So if its okay to make offensive jokes if your Barack Obama?

The bigger piece to this is would you be saying the same thing if George Bush or a Republican would have said that?

[Yurdelite]

Maria's brother is a cross between Robert and Teddy.

[NoelGreco]

Is that good?

[Yurdelite]

Yes. He is very handsome--he has the Kennedy jawline and facial features.