Obama Special Olympics Joke the Gutter Ball of Obama's Leno Appearance

The Obama Leno appearance is a first for any sitting president, but when the Obama Special Olympics joke entered the picture - in response to a comment on the president's bowling ability or lack thereof - the mood soon turned sour.

Obama Special Olympics Joke after Los Angeles Town Hall Exchange with Disabled Attendee

Prior to the Obama Leno appearance, the president met with Angelenos at the Miguel Contreras Learning Center for a town hall meeting. The Los Angeles Times posted a script of the entire experience, including an exchange between one Mr. Karp and President Obama.

Mr. Karp self identifies as a disabled man and approaches the president with a comment of needing disabled individuals to also benefit from the job generations of the stimulus package. The president clearly agrees with his point of view and speaks of inclusion rather than exclusion. A few hours later, he cracks the now infamous Obama Special Olympics joke.

Gutter Ball of the Obama Leno Appearance Deemed Hurtful by Maria Shriver

During his town hall opening remarks, President Obama expressed his gratitude to Governor Schwarzenegger and his wife, Maria Shriver. The Associated Press reports that Maria Shriver was not impressed with the Obama Special Olympics joke that compared the less than stellar (and quite legendary) Obama bowling scores to participation in the Special Olympics competition that is open to the mentally disabled.

Maria Shriver's brother, Tim Shriver, is the current chairman of the Special Olympics while Ms. Shriver's mother -- Eunice Kennedy-Shriver - is the actual founder.

Criticism of Obama Bowling Analogy Widespread

A mixture of political correctness and true-blue outrage is fueling the criticism of the Obama bowling analogy that would have him compare his ineptness with participation in the Special Olympics. Sure, any frat guy might find this a bit of a "ha-ha" moment, and the audience did laugh along. On the other hand, it is the kind of joke that leaves you feeling just a bit dirty in the aftermath.

This is especially true as the "Spread the Word to End the Word" campaign date draws near on March 31. A campaign that originated with the Special Olympics organization, individuals are urged to rethink the gratuitous use of the word "retard" and associated references to the mentally and otherwise disabled.

In the aftermath of the Obama Special Olympics joke, President Obama might want to mark this date on his calendar.

Sources

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2009/03/obama-text-la.html; http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5h0FwbhZHHJzSLqvPQC_xR0yjC6SAD971UK1O2; http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1524921/spread_the_word_to_end_the_word_that.html?cat=9