CNN

I like the job that President Obama is doing. But what I don't like is all of that money that the federal government is given to the bank industry, the notion that is to big to fail is just outrages, very soon the United States is going to be on the position that is to big to fail and I'm going to see who is going to bail us out, we are heading toward disaster and nobody is paying attention just because they are to occupy with giving up or I should say rewarding the CEO and the bank industry.

i think his remark was disgusting and along with is inability to be a president, we should consider impeachment.

I think the larger issue, is why is The President Of The United States making a talk show appearance in the first place. He has already scheduled a one hour address in prime time on all the network channels on the 24th. Considering the small audience watching late night television, he had much more to loose than he had to gain and the public reaction to his attempt to be funny on The Tonight Show is proof of that. The President needs to rethink his use of the media and contain his TV appearances to times and events that are more Presidential.

Lighten up. I have known disabled people throughout my life. They are quite capable of either defending themselves and taking Obama's remarks as he meant them. I think there is a light hearted opportunity here for the Special Olympics Committee. A bowling score of 129 is nothing to brag about. (It was meant as a self-deprecating remark anyways.) If I were head of the Special Olympics Committee I would find the best disabled bowler I could and then challenge the President to a match.

Milk the gaff for all its worth - and have a little fun with it.

"This is a simple gaffe, people get over yourselves."

...now, imagine Bush said it.

The president should be a PRESIDENT not an entertainer. Bad move...poor counsel.

If George Bush had said this CNN would have pre-empted it's line-up for a series of one our specials on his lack of sensitivity

A miscalculated slip of the tongue.

Something that no doubt never happens in the GOP.

Matthew in Detroit are you related too Perez Hilton?

Because you whine, complain and stir up more gossip

than a prepubescent school girl! Do you think you can

do a better job than President Obama? It's easy for you

too sit behind your moms computer and play mentally

challenged coward. President Obama probably looses

more brain cells drinking a beer than you will have in a life time!

Tuck your tail and show some respect for our Commander and Chief.

The media and pundits focusing on this and beating it to death greatly distracts from the global economic and financial crisis and diverts needed attention and scrutiny of the sharks of the banking and Wall Street and organizations like AIG that help to create this mess. I hope the silly games of the past election are not repeated. It is like Nero fiddling as Rome burned. Wake up and focus on the crisis and what needs to be done and hold those accountable and stop the BS!!!

Is John Stewart the only one that understands the fear and outrage people are feeling as they have, or are fearful, of losing everything?

If this was George Bush, he would of been impeached....this was a huge gaffe on Obama's part.
Maybe he should stop trying to be some kind of celebrity and worry about the enemies (Russia, Iran, Cuba, China, terrorist groups) that are arming and plotting against us.

When a person bowls under 70 on the campaign trail, and has now improved to an olympic level of play....

Possibly It is we who perceive special olympics as less than an improvment.

60 points in sixty days...lets see if our economy improves as well as his bowling.

All ABC league bowlers are familiar with how each "handicap" is determined. Take your 3 game average in league play, subtract it from 200, and take 70% of that number and you have your handicap. I doubt Pres. Obama knew that , but now he may. Sometimes we are just a little bit too thin skinned for our own good.

Timothy Shriver, the chairman of the Special Olympics,

You are not qualified for a job in Obama's White House. You cannot face truth. You might be a good fit with Bush and Cheney

Get over it – it was a self depreciating joke. He has more than apologived, and used the opportunity to promote the disabled.

The media needs to give a rest. For that matter, give a lot of things a rest. Stop trying to whip the country into a frenzy at every turn. Lets focus our energy on rebuilding our economy and creating opportunity for all.

CNN and Obama flaggers .... where the hell were you when Bush sat in a helicopter over Louisiana and watched people died, floated in water and became maimed and disabled during the hurricane? I'm sure you weren't this outrage or was ready to cut off his head and demonize him .... imagine that! I think I have a pretty good idea who you folks are bashing Mr. Obama!

Looks like a ton of desperate Republicans searching for any little hair or accidental word out of place to harp on. If their party's existence is so shaky and has nothing to offer, wouldn't it be a better idea to do something constructive about it?

He needs to make amends. I'd like to see him interact with special needs kids on a regular basis. It will actually help him to see people strive, and will put a lot of other complaints in perspective.

I love watching liberals bicker amongst themselves. They want to support their messiah, but want to squash free speech at the same time.

I was not offended by President Obama's comments, however, I do think that he should not have said it. He shouldn't be so careless with his remarks.

Police Officers all over the world help to raise funds and awarness for Special Olympics. President OBama made an off the cuff comment and I really don't think he had any intent to harm or insult Special Olympics Athletes with intellectual disabilities. As soon as he recongnized his mistake he aplogized and took responsibility for his comment. The President has raised awarness for Special Olympics and I would invite him to come join us during our annual Torch Run to raise funds for Special Olympics North Carolina! Lt. Hank Guess Retired Hickory Police Department.

Just another example of a DOUBLE STANDARD in my opinion. If the President can get away with it, then I guess anyone can now? So unfortunate.

Why is the president on Jay Leno in the first place? Time for campaigning is over. You have a job to do now. And you arent doing it very well.

I agree lets stop spending so much time talking about the special olympics joke. Lets talk about important things, like the trade war Obama and his Congress just started with Mexico.

He had the questions before he went on air, and he had his answers and 4 jokes prepared and memorized. He certainly meant something by it, or he is too stupid to realize that the joke might not be funny to all. When you have the answers ahead of time, such a mistake is hard to defend.

President is great. Nothing wrong with his remark. If disabled think otherwise, please let them compete with everybody else. Forget the special games. You want special treatment, people even cannot mention it. Grow up or shut up.

Thought the election president Obama kept his personality in check. Clearly he let his guard down with Jay Leno. I don’t like it.

I think that the comment was not out of text. Everyone makes statements of this sort each day. News people are like a bull dog with a bone running around like look at me what i have. Now look what this has caused. A Pres of the U.S makes a off hand remark which now has media all over it but now the special needs people are in the news as well. I feel the Pres. did so to wake up the people to this wonderful group of people who do help every. News media did their job high five. The Pres did good by waking all of you up. Now maybe more coverage of this in a bright light will get more people to reach out and help. Big Hive 10 to our Pres.

talking about special treatment by media. He got away with anything. had it been Bush, fire squadrons would have been summoned already.

Long Live Obama the Almighty!!

As a father of a son with a type of Autism who is involved with the Special Olympics, I am, by no means offended by President Obama's comment. He is human and humans say things that we are not always proud of. Grow up and move on. He has been busting his hump since taking office and has been working extremely hard in his effort to get this country back on track. If you want to review gaffes, review that previous eight years. As David Letterman said, now that Bush is leaving, his shows writers will have to start writing their own material again. Nuff said.

I think the more appropriate comment made by the president on the Leno show is his reference to American Idol and everyone being Simon Knowle. The sad part about hatred for another person is that you usually end up hurting yourself more than you hurt the person you hate, because they don't know about your hatred and they don't care. The end result is a bitter and angry person who has nothing constructive to offer to the world. Making decisions that affect other people lives is not as easy as it seems. The President is doing the best job that he can. So think about it, when you are really critical of another person, who is being hurt the most.

Come on now people, anything President Obama says it is put under a microscope. He is a human being and for the fact that he went on Leno is a good thing, what do you want him to do walk with his head down for four years? It seems as if we have forgotten that it was Bush that created this mess over the past 8 years and now people want Obama to wave a magic wand and make it disappear. He is human and he hasn't even been in office 100 days yet, let him asess the damage first. I didn't see anyone ridicule Bush like this, he basically got away scott free. THAT IS NOT FAIR!

-Mae
Omaha,NE

OMG! I can't believe such a harmless remark would warrant making the news as well as having the Special Olympics now request he hire someone from their organization.

What has our country come to. I would bet that most of the people on this blog have made a joke of some kind against some group, whether it be handicapped, gays, police, etc. Did that make you a bad person? I personally can't stand political correctness!

I can't even find the comments or the apology ...... what a protective bunch of news media ...... are they so afraid of their jobs being threatened by reporting on Obama?

Why are people defending Obamas remarks? He applied for, and lied his way into the presidency, and into the hearts and minds of his voters.

This is the President of the United States!!! This is the most powerful position in the world! He's on a comedy show making remarks about the Special Olympics for a laugh???

Our founding fathers are rolling over in their graves!

The fact that we have a president who would make such comments on television shows why the world hates Americans. Who could possibly vote for such a pig. That is exactly what is wrong with this country. I am personally ashamed to be an American after such comments from one of our leaders.

I am a mother with a child with special needs, and I did not get the feeling that He meant to hurt anyone. We really need to lighten-up . We have kids right here in the US that have not eaten and this is what we are spending our time on. Lets use this same energy and go out and help someone. And it seems to me that this anger is not about the children is about trying to get favors. Before we start pointing fingers remember the things that you say that nobody knows about. We sometimes act as if we don't make mistake. Get over it and keep moving!!!!!!!!

I am a Canadian who watches both our CTV News Net and CNN on a regular basis. I am very impressed with the fact that Canada and the United States both have "No Bull", "Common Sense" leaders. I watch as the opposition parties in each country continue to play the same old childish polical games. Prime Minister Harper and President Obama in my opinion is what our countries have needed for a long time, leaders that have our best interest in mind. Congradulations to both leaders, please continue to be professional and ignore the childish opposition. In the end, the citizens of each country will see the benifits of your leadership. The childish comments and actions of the opposition will become a distant and faded memory.

As the parent of a child with special needs, I believe that while President Obama was wrong with his comparison comment, I do not think he did it maliciously. Yes, he should be more careful with the things he says, but when the media asks you an odd question, you sometimes say things you don't mean. Let's face it, while he is the President, he is a human first and we all say things that we wish we come to regret. I can't imagine there is anyone – including myself – who has not had a bad slip of the tongue. What I would like to see come from this is that everyone remembers that anyone can accidentally say the "wrong thing" and not immediately jump on it – especially when it comes to racial issue.

Kabookey stated: "I remember not so long ago that Saint O was calling for the outser of Don Imus for making a joke. What goes around comes around Saint O and your 15 mins is long past its expiration date. Keep up the good work there Saint O."

Please explain the correlation here? Obama was berating himself; Imus was berating other people using an overtly racist term. (also, please re-read your sentences – grammar has obviously been flushed along with everyone's common sense.)

And I won't even address the "Saint O" BS . . .

as an Independent I am disgusted by all this overreaction to EVERYTHING and we all need to realize that it's only making things worse. Please just everyone calm down. (Don't be niave – the Media creates this drama and you are all falling for it – they need ratings to make money; think about it!!!)

Are you serious? I say NO why should he hire a special needs person because of the remark he made, that's ridiculous.
Shriver is just trying to get some publicity. CNN at it's best again with dumb stories.

He made an error we all do it. But if he was a republican you can bet he would be skewered. He always gets off easy. Wait about 6 more months and some of this mismanagement will stick to him. By the way I never heard Bush insult the disabled.

"""The Special Olympics organization is calling on President Obama to "consider" hiring one of their athletes to work in the White House"""

I thought none of the republicans wanted to work in the White House.

Ooops was that insensitive?

Obama knows full well about slurs and stereo types and people being insensitive. He's black! We've already seen all the slurs on a daily basis from comments on blogs to Republicans hiring people like Keyes and Steele to run against him based on skin color alone.

Come on, don't we have enough real issues? Its gotten where a whole day can be spent talking about how the word "the" was used in a statement and what the person really ment. I think this is another case of gross over reaction. On the flip side I grow melon's in my front yard as I like them and they grow the best there. Talk about the environment, healthcare, the economy. Not hours about what someone did or didn't say.

When Bush showed "he was human" it was supposedly a bad thing.

Now it's endearing. Double standard.

That's what happens when he doesn't use a teleprompter.

So I guess the rule now is that if the Presidents says something about a group that the group finds offensive then the President must hire someone from that group. With that logic the Government will be on a larger hiring spree that it already is.

Hey Matthew from Detroit take a chill pill you apparently have never said anything that ever hurt someones feelings??? of course not your always"RIGHT"......

if anyone else made the comment that person would be ridiculed...PERIOD. Obama gets off again.

This should never have become a news story. The President didn’t put down the Special Olympics. He simply implied he bowled like a person with a disability hindering their ability. People make jokes about their golf “handicaps” all of the time. So, inferring a disability as a cause for not playing a sport as well as you should is a normal part of the U.S. vernacular.

Hall for Obama,

I am not perfect. I have never professed to be perfect. I sit back every day and watch while the basic liberties that I have enjoyed my whole life are one by one being taken away. I also prefer to live in a world where right is right and wrong is wrong. I am a Speech-Language Pathlogist and work with special needs childlren. I have been to special olympics and stood there with tears streaming down my face as these children proudy participated in events that up until the last 30 or 40 years would have been off limits to them. For the leader of my country to make a remark that is so flippant and so degrading appalls me. You can worship him all that you want. When he does something that I approve of, then I will give him my respect. However, I worship no one but my Heavenly Father. However, I guess that makes me one of those religious fanatics that clings to my guns and religion. Wasn't that how President Obama put it?

And I supposed that if Bush had said something similar, the liberals would be all over it, either saying it was a rude remark or that Bush is just an idiot. Once again the democrats play "heads I win, tails you lose".

I am pretty sure Obama intended for his reference to the SO to be a compliment. Bowling in the 120s would be an incredible feat for most developmentally challenged people.

When he is not scripted and without teleprompt, we learn a lot about him. The sad story is that there is no outrage to what he said. Could you imagine the outrage if it was a racist comment. As the father of a disabled child, I am disapointed by the media's portray of this incident as a "gaff".

I think the president's comment was taken out of context!! I think he was speaking about his own "handicap". The news media and people need to hanging on his every word!

Oh the feigned indignation by the neocons! Like we are to believe that these sensitive humanitarians are so upset with the President's off-the-cuff remark for which he has subsequently apologized. This from the same group of hypocrites who yuck it up when Rush Lamebrain plays his "Banking Queen" parody over and over. Still yet to hear ANY apologies from the Bush administration for, well let's see, one good example, hummm... Iraq, 5000 American killed and countless innocents, $630 billion spent to accomplish what? Hurricane Katrina? 9/11, yes they were in office for nine months before that catastrophe?

I think this gaffe is a non issue....it wasn't done maliciously......and he has acknowledged his mistake and apologized.

I also think that Mr. Shriver has a very good idea.....and I am sure that Obama will be more then willing to take on one or more of these atheletes.....into his administration, if they are qualified.

Can you imagine what Mrs. Obama said when he got back to the hotel???
If I were her I would say something along the lines of..."Ya know, I think I'll disappear into the Whitehouse for a few days and not be seen..umm because I am not saying a word...you talked yourself into this sh** you can talk yourself out 'Genius'."

Grinzzzz...would so love to have been a fly on the wall for that home coming..as he had it coming..but I don't think he meant anything by it..do you??? Really..he's a good guy..you heard him last night..he was funny, affable..took a bit of a ribbing before he came on with grace..and even jousted back at Jay with the "that's auto-talk" remark while explaining the economy and describing a "diagnostic test". I thought it was hilarious, smart and engaging. I thought he took the joust about "people letting him win at basketball" verrry well. A competitor through and through..he also showed he truly is a good sport. He said some important things and Jay was very polite and let him say his peace. It was great...it was almost like his Mic was off and he was just sitting there talking to Jay..very natural..even if it probably was a little rehearsed. I say congrats on a successful show Mr. President and Jay!

The fact that there our over 800 comments on these two related threads, yet only 11 on the education article means either one of two things:

1) CNN keeps these up longer either because they like to keep nonsense going or these seem to be the most popular articles or

2) People care more about this than education. Therefore highlighting the need for more education.

There is far too much about Obama and his pack of idiots to be concerned about. That he has a sense of humor is the least of them. However if it had been a Republican we'd already be hearing about impeachment proceedings.

LEO,
You would bet wrong.

Obama Has not kept his promises,has not done anything but grow government. He and the Democrats have now decided they are gods and can make laws/rules up as they go.

Just think if they got mad at us and tried this "taxation" thing on us. This is bull and it is time that the Whitehouse learns its people are our employees!

Hey Susan Silver, why don't you remember your comments the next time something similar is uttered by a Republican.

This is a little ado about very little. President Obama's appearance on the Tonight show was success. His only critics are the same people who will never give him any credit for doing anything right anyway.

As far as the Special Olympics "gaffe" is concerned, President Obama was only poking fun at himself...not anyone else. This isn't the equivalent to the kind of mean-spirited things that Don Imus, Rush Limbaugh and others have said that belittle others. While he could have used a better analogy, Obama was belittling himself.

I have a kid who is autistic. However I don't think Obama's comment was with malice. We need to stop examining each and every small thing and concentrate on making the world a better place for everyone

JOKES ARE JOKES.

Jesus...even the retards don't care about the comment, so move on.

Focus people; we know where Obama stands. He's a stand up guy, what next!!!!!!!!!!!!

I thought Pres. Obama was just magnificent last night on Jay Leno. He gave me confidence and took away a lot of my fear about my beloved America! He was just what the doctor ordered. But, I knew when he made the joke about his bowling, that idiots would jump it today as if it was the most improtant thing he talked about. Give me a break...yes, maybe the joke was not the best, but everything else he said was priceless. It is the fear, and yes Cheney the criminal is still out there along with Condoliar Rice trying to fear monger, that has made the ecomomics worse, and Pres. Obama swept away a lot of that fear last night. God Bless him and the whole wide world. The Special Olympics are marvelous and everyone can agree on that.

Everytime Obama say are do anything the RNC, Fox news,and some white people have something to say. We have bigger problems than that.I have one more thing to say 8 years of Bush.

his gaffe is human...what is not right is that he should be working and not campaigning now....we like levity in this time of stress, but we all need a president who will work hard – in the oval office and not zooming around the country on Airforce One trying to enforce these spending sprees for no good end except to enslave us to government-and hyper-inflation in three years and on and on and on.

as the grandmother of a child with autism, i interpreted it was as a SELF-DEPRECIATING remark, and kind of funny.
he is a pretty funny bowler after all.
yeah, he might have chosen different words. I use "physically challenged" referring to myself sometimes, when I make a silly movement or can't get the hammer on the nail quite right.
So what!
I highly doubt Obama was maligning the special needs people.
you guys are just aching to pin something on this guy.
mellow out!
there are much more important things to spend our time on.

Good thing Don Imus didn't make the comment...

I would bet that every negative comment made was made by a person who voted for John McCain.

Lighten up. He meant that he had a handicap. George W. Bush couldn't put a sentence together. I'm really tired of people be hyper-sensative. It was apparent that the President didn't mean any harm.

"I would suggest that you put these special needs applicants through the same rigorous vetting process everybody else had to go through."

Absolutely. And while we are at it, did anyone look at Gates and the others before keeping them on?

I think it is all the media and how they make something out of nothing. Please to all the media do your job and leave the gossip to the tabloids.

what? so everyone that has been "offended" by president Obama should be able to work in the white house. PLEASE! He has apologized and that should be it.

Dan Qualye got sent to the political scrap pile for a whole lot less.

What’s funny is the same people belittling Shriver, would be championing him had Bush made the same mistake.

We had someone in the White house from Special Olympics already: George Bush

It was an honest joke. Don't be so sensitive.

My brother and his girlfriend have been bowling on Special Olympic bowling teams for over 30 years. I think the President should invite them to come and bowl with him at the White House.

They miss their New Orleans team since we relocated after Hurricane Katrina.

SLP: Please do not support President Obama if you dont feel it in your heart. He need your support come what may he do not need rainy day friends. I did not know there was so many perfect people in this world.

We need to get away from all of this foolishness. The President meant no harm to anyone. Any one and everyone has always been able to fill out a application to work in the Obama Administration. If the director of the SO wants the administration to hire someone from the SO they need to fill out a application.
"People need to be reminded that 'God' has no respect of person", meaning that all people are created equal and all have the chance to suceed. 'Wake up people, your pettiness will lead you straight to "HELL."

I watched & enjoyed the interview and didn't get the offense to Special Olympics. Was it because the President said the words? Now Timothy Shriver has to have some camera time. Give me a break. Please Mr. President don't hire a special olympic athlete to work in the White House just to appease this man.

What else can you expect from our "special olympics" president?

As a disabled person, all I've ever wanted was to be treated like everyone else. I'm glad the president sees us as regular people, subject to jokes and ridicule just like everyone else.

Wow, if any other politician other than Barack Obama had uttered those remarks on national television there'd be all sorts of outcry from the media.

Sure, he's the "new hotness" President but he should be held to the same standard as anyone else.

I'm for sweeping up all the eggshells the PC brigade has strewn about over the past couple of decades. Political correctness is a complete farce; there is no picking up a turd by the clean end. Let's get real and back to business, people.

One good reason for a sitting President not to appear on a late night comedy show. His responsibilities are too great to subject himself to saying really foolish things in an offhand manner. Mr. Obama needs to change his ways in a hurry.

Bush was the best person ever to represent the special needs people, he wasone of them.

Oh please! isn't the political correctness getting out of control? This was not offensive, it was just his colloquially saying something we've all said and is not worthy of all this controversy. You cannot open your mouth these days without offending someone's hyper sensibility.
Give the guy a break! He;s got a million of our problems to deal with and we can't jump on every single word!

Remember John Kerry's botched joke about the troops.
Words do matter, and make or break people at that level.

I have no problem with his comment, but he should of thought carefully before he spoke. He is the president of the united states and any comment that can be taken as offensive, is offensive and will be thought that way by which ever group he spoke about. This isn't unlike the governor of south carolina comparing our inflation to the republic of somolia, where he absolutely had no intention of making a racist comment about african america's, but then a democratic senate from that same state thought it was racist. This happens all the time to politicians and expecially the president. Maybe next time he should just say that his bowling game stinks and move on or compare it to how he has handled the AIG bailout, both are terrible.

The special olympics is a joke. Any money or time wasted on the mentally challenged is just that money wasted. I think we should take a note from Ancient Greece and begin leaving them onsides of hills.

@Jay March 20th, 2009 11:41 am ET
Pres. Obama doesnt care about people with special needs because he is for abortion and seems to me he'd rather not see them around. Everyone deserves to live***YOU should have been aborted what a better world it would be w/o you and some of the others waiting for President to make a mistake****
@curt March 20th, 2009 11:48 am ET....He was making fun of his OWN BOWLING Skills by comparing them to the special olympics, get a life people and stop being so thin skinned**Thanks CURT***
I remember when Daddy Bush referred to His Grand daughters(The Twins) as Brown Ones

Oh my God..... please excuse our president for being human. One of the things that I love about him is that he is a normal human being and as such, is going to put his foot in his mouth once in a while. Anyone who acts like they have never done it is a hypocrit and a liar. ... or just a sour grapes Republican............. They better get used to it, they have 8 more years to whine. Please, lets be constructive and supportive of our president. At least he can make a speech and not sound like a total idiot..... We have had that for the last 8 years.... At least he can speak the English language and not murder it like Gee-Dub.... or Tweedle Dum like I like to call him.

OH PLEASE!!! It's getting to the point, in this country, that every time a person opens their mouth, they offend someone. This country needs to learn to laugh and quit takinging every little thing that is said out of context and WAAAAAY to seriously.

Once again, identity politics rears its ugly head. To be fair, though, Obama brought this upon himself.

I KNEW this would happen after he said that. People are offended by anything and everything and will find any reason to get on someone's back about a light humored joke. GET OVER IT. I've heard so much worse from other people who are mean spirited. Obama's a good man. Don't take it so seriously. "His appearance was awesome, but he compared a 129 bowling score to the special olympics!" Oh my god! What is the world coming to!? Can we drop it already?

Typiocal liberal Cnn..Figured it would be like that here. Obama is the worst thing in American History. Goodbye back to Fox

This is the most stupidist crap. Why is media and the special olympics committee making such a big deal about nothing. Get over it people, he was referring to himself.

In other news...................

oh boy if sarah had said that you left wing political correct people would be all over her like stink on a skunk poor boy didn;t have his prompter to keep him out of trouble

Obama has gotten money from AIG (think he should give it back with 90% taxation on it?), Obama administration forced Democrats to push the "bailout" through with loopholes intact,he makes rude remarks about others and everyone is defending him?

Please wake-up b4 it's too late Obama is a politician. And we all know what they are...

For a grown adult to say that is reprehensible. It boogles the mind that a sitting President would jokingly say this. Obama is an arrogant jerk!

I love our president, but he needs to be a little more careful. This stuff is starting to pile up. We all think different thoughts and say different things to different audiences, some of them inappropriate, yet funny.

As president, however, he needs to run these things through the "ouch" test... I heard his live reference to Nancy Reagan and said "ouch"... I heard this gaffe and said the same thing. He is too smart and savvy, with too much on his plate to keep stepping into these little piles of crap when they are easily avoided. This is not about political correctness; it's about being presidential.

Too many apologies end up losing their meaning; he has been apologizing for some stuff that is great in regard to taking responsibility. Apologizing for stupid, easily avoided stuff is a waste of everyone's time.

Honestly, what is he doing that is remotely good? Please tell me so I can understand this intense infatuation that you people have with this man. His comment last night was inexcusable. He is the President and he represents all of the people of this country. This isn't the first time that this president has stuck his foot in his mouth. What comes out of your mouth usually reflects what is inside. I am really trying to support him even though I didn't vote for him. It gets harder by the day.

If Leno had said that it would have been fine. What a double standard. We have taken political correctness to its logical conclusion – stupidity! Don't say anything 'offensive' about anyone – even yourself – or you might hurt some over-sensitive peron's feeling.

He made s joke about his abilities as a bowler. He did not intentionally malign Special Olympic. Those people who HATE PRESIDENT OBAMA will always find something to nit pick about. If it isn't about what he did it would be about what he didn't do. He can't please everybody. So I say the heck with them and keep on moving.

I truly believe that President Obama did not mean any disrespect to Special Olympians in general or to athletes with developmental challenges in particular. Furthermore, I believe that President Obama is truly sensitized to the needs of that particular segment of the population.

Having said that, I would concur with Tim Shriver that this is an opportunity to make huge strides in integrating that population into the mainstream of society. I would certainly support the idea brought forth by Tim Shriver that the White House could hire a special athlete. Besides inviting special olympians to play basketball or to bowl within the White House premises, a statement like hiring goes far beyond the individual one-day experience of welcoming.

Such a gesture would also be a powerful challenge and invitation to other government offices, other corporate offices, other companies, other employers to consider they too might be able to make a difference in very concrete ways.

I watched the show, thought he was funny, and had a lot of encouraging things to say about our future. I haven't worked in 6 mos., and am confident I'll go back soon. I didn't notice the comment, don't know what he said. But, as usual, I'm sure it was overblown and taken out of context.

"penny" you need to calm down!! for real it is no hat serious!!! FOR REAL! dont get your panties all in a KNOT!!!!!

Obama is making himself look bad. He is the President of the United States of America, not an actor on the latest blockbuster movie. He needs to act like the President and not put himself in this type of position. Message to Obama: Earn my respect Mr. Obama by being someone that people can look up to. Stop worrying so much about being cool and put more focus on helping to run this country.

I love people who write in saying " I have a handicapped nephew, son, sisiter, whatever..." and they were not offended. Well I have a black friend who says he is not offended by the 'N" word. Does that make it right to say it. Absolutely not! This only goes to prove why a sitting president should sit in the Oval office rather than on some TV talk show.

If Bush had said it, I'd have agreed with him. That's the only sort of olympics he would be able to qualify for.

Do you see that a Navy sub and another Navy ship hit each other hostile waters?

The Navy is so incompetent since Obama took over. What kind of morons do we have in the Navy now?

WOW!!!! This man can not get a break for nothing, Mr.Shiver are you serious, I mean he meant no harm about this, why don't you go an talk to your Mother about this. We have much more in the world to worry about than President Obama saying that what he said regarding the Special Olympics. You need to grow up hiring someone with Special needs does not solve anything so why try to guilt him into that. President Obama did a wonderful job on Jay Leno last night. He has a sense of humor, and he tried to explain to the American people exactly what they need to hear. And I promise you we never seen that from a President before. Why don't you all stop trying to find something wrong with the President and focusing on the good things that he is doing. Just stop!!!!

remember not so long ago that Saint O was calling for the outser of Don Imus for making a joke. What goes around comes around Saint O and your 15 mins is long past its expiration date. Keep up the good work there Saint O.

i feelsorry for u if u don't know the difference between what obama said and Don Imus. i think obama can fix the education system so people like you can learn more

If this is offensive then pull the plug on ALL t.v. shows, over the air and cable. All of them have some reference to someone being stupid, retard, moron, imbecile, etc. We have some of the most ignorant flare ups over minor things when much more important issues are happening... More people are murdered in a month in the United States than died in Iraq all of last year.

Obama just needs to stop with the "Most Popular Guy in School" crap and deal with the real issues.

I think that he should be ashamed, as ashamed as the people who sell things to kids that reek havoc on our schools. I call on every reading this to shut down the people selling stink bombs at http://www.dirtyrottenpranks.com they are low lifes.

And so just what did the President say? Anyone else you would have included that in the story.

I LOVE how how spiteful and pissed you Republicans get about everything now. HA!!

Get used to it. You have eight more years of Barack. Yes, eight.

Now you know how we felt, especially after the '04 election.

Gee Whiz......the President made an OFF-THE-CUFF remark for maybe the first time in 2 years that doesn't sit well with the "MENTALLY CHALLENGED."

By "MENTALLY CHALLENGED" I am referring to the entire Republican Party!

Oh, I forgot; the Republican Nazi Party doesn't sit well with anything good & positive that comes from the President.....so why should something negative cause them to make comment.

Oh, I forgot; the Republican Rich Man's Party should be competing in a SPECIAL OLYMPICS with medals going to the best.....
1. SPEECH on how to screw the average American by blaming it on the Democrats.
2. INCISIVE IDEA on how to pretend that the economy was not the fault of George '3 below plant life' Bush and the Republican Party.
3. HARANGUE & WHINE on why am I not in power anymore.

Republicans are like OVERPAID PRIMA DONNA ATHLETES.....
Once they get elected or sign a contract, they NO longer have to perform for the public!

Get real folks,if this is all you have to be upset about,you dont have a clue.

Just another ignorant comment that shows how unpresidential he is. People were warned about this guy, now your going to get what you asked for.

@ Sniffit, who said "Of course if Bush had said something like this, all you people defending Obama and saying it was no big deal, would have scolded Bush for saying it. Such a double standard with Democrats."

Since that wasn't really me, I feel obligated to point out that the reason Bush would have been scolded is because he blew his political capital and had the entire country angry with him for a multitude of horrifying things he said and did...so our fuse was short and we'd run out of forgiveness for him. The only people who have no forgiveness for Obama at this point are GOPers and neocons who were never ever going to give him a chance or have an open mind in the first place. People LOVE Obama. Live with it.

To Time............Jesus was born in a manger, not a mangle, you idiot.
Please God, DON'T forgive me for saying it.

...and all you other Obama-haters...

...KOA...

Don't you people have anything better to do? Blah, Blah, Blah all the time and focusing on non-sensical things.

"Michelle March 20th, 2009 12:13 pm ET

Their making a lot of stink of a litte of nothing. His comments show that he is real people. No one gets so offended when Larry the Cable Guy makes comments about "retards". They find it funny. Even if you work in the field you still make comments every now and then when talking outside of work.

Find something else to complain about."

I hope you're joking. You just compared Obama to Larry the Cable Guy? That's the kind of person you want running this country? Wasn't that the issue people took with Bush? What is wrong with you? I would certainly expect the people of this nation to vote with higher standards than merely sticking with the "real people." Lets get Bush back in office then because I think most people would agree he was pretty average.

I cannot imagine why anyone who is disabled would ever want to work for Obama.

I am disabled and I would love to work at the White House!

PS–I am not at all offended by Obama's comment on Leno's show last night.

I knew it was coming from news reports and I still missed it, so I am thinking the media, including this network, used a prybar to dig out the comment from the rest of the hour-long show.

As a mother of a mentally ill son I know how words do matter. I hear them all the time in regards to my son's illness. I do however do not think President Obama meant any ill well. I feel so many are waiting for him to make any kind of a slip to try to knock him down and have his ratings fall. But those who do so should tend to their own plate. President Obama has the People behind him. And I am one of those People-very happy with the way he has conducted Our business and how he keeps coming back to the People-the ones who put him in the White House in the first place.

Where is the outrage about the president's insensitivity?

Special Olympics? References to Nancy Reagan and seances? You let him (actually any left wing darling) get away with this, yet have a conservative say anything like this? You and the rest of left wing media lemmings excoriate that person.

LOL more people got beef wit Obama what else is new? He made a comment he felt he needed to apologize for thats it he doesnt have to hire anybody if he dont want to...

Sharon,

What's wrong with you? McCain and Palin NEVER made racial statements against Obama. The GOP NEVER made racial statements against Obama. It's all in your head. The true race-baiter is your beloved Obama. Where was the outrage when Obama predicted McCain would make racist statements during the campaign? Wake up!

CNN, nor ANY other MEDIA outlets hold any credibility...

...UNLESS and UNTIL they focus their spotlights...

...on the criminals in the Bush-Cheney junta who robbed us blind and murdered innocent Iraqis...

...and those on Wall Street like Countrywide's Angelo Mozilla, and AIGs J. Cerano...

...who've made off with BILLIONS!!!!

...STOP the madness CNN...

...STOP microfocusing on trying to bring down Pres. Obama and undermining his agenda for recovery...

...and GIVE US accountability of those who've done REAL harm to this nation!

Your special need Shriver is a brain. Have you ever thought of getting
a real job or do you feel better "living off" donations.

I cannot stand Obama but I do think this was just a careless comment. I do not believe that he makes fun of or berates people with special needs. However, I would like those who are saying it's no big deal to honestly ask themselves if they would be this relaxed if it was George W. Bush who made the comment. I honestly believe that the reactions of many conservatives, including myself are brought on by the out and out hatred spewed by the left for 8 years. Maybe if we all treated each other with respect there wouldn't be this constant tit for tat.

First off, why the hell is he on the Late show? Second, his comment was disgusting.

Why not compare his bowling skills to professional bowler. Where was his teleprompter?

The President was making light of his bowling skills or lack thereof...he was not being disrespectful to those who have special challenges. Time to lighten up a little!

Larry the Cable guy isn't the most powerful person in the world, now is he? You're comparing apples to oranges.

This is over kill. Those of you who have all the negative stuff to say about every little thing the President does will be responsible for driving him out of the public eye. Then you will complain about him not being transparent enough.

These double standards make me ill and the reasons for the double standards are very thinly vailed... You should all be ashamed...

Your special need Shriver is a brain. Have you ever thought of getting
a real job or do you feel better "living off" donations. Does it run in
your family?

Hey people, it would be great if we could dial down the hate-meter a little bit. I know you don't like Obama, but can we please show some civility in bashing him? You wouldn't say these things to him in person – why do you think it's ok to do it behind the anonymity of the internet?

I listen to Rush Limbaugh a lot, he is rude, nasty, mean, insulting, and most of the time, he's wrong. Anyone who can complain about what Obama said and then at the same time defend Rush Limbaugh is probably not at the upper end of the income scale.

well...it's certainly not going to be his last blunder........like trying to have peaceful dialog with terrorist dictators......not very smart

I was not surprised at Mr. Obama's "slip of the tongue." We all speak what is really on our minds and, these days, anything is considered fair game in poking fun at ourselves and others at the expense of the innocent. Once said, it is always remembered, whether possitive or considered negative or offensive. A person's "words" speaks volumes as to his/her character.

By making fun of himself, he was also making fun of the Special Olympics...quit covering for your idol.

Mr. Obama has already hired Timothy Geithner. No need to hire an athelete. Honestly, let's look at what Obama is doing or trying to do to this country. He is destroying our democracy with his Socialist Policy decisions. We are in this economic crisis because of the poor financial decisions the American people have made. We have spent more than we can possibly afford. This same America is the country that Obama was elected. No wonder he has no idea what he is doing.

Michelle March 20th, 2009 12:13 pm ET

Their making a lot of stink of a litte of nothing. His comments show that he is real people. No one gets so offended when Larry the Cable Guy makes comments about "retards". They find it funny. Even if you work in the field you still make comments every now and then when talking outside of work.

Find something else to complain about.

This is the guy who is supposed to representing all americans. If he wanted to do comedy he should have called the blue collar comedy guys.

everyone says things that aren't always the most appropriate thing to say. no one is considerate of every person in the world's feelings at all times. i would prefer the president be a real person and show his real personality (as offensive to some as that may be) then to hide it. everyone is going to say something that offends some sect of the population on a daily basis. people need to stop looking for things to get offended over and lighten up. if you have confidence in yourself, you dont get offended over another's innocent comment. maybe we focus on building individuals' confidence instead of censoring the whole world's speech.

The Special Olympics are for people who are differently abled. The Olympics they participate in are special, and therefore different than the non-special Olympics. It's own name signals discrimination of it's particcipants into a special category. If I interacted with a participant of the Special Olympics and did not recognize they were differently abled and expected the same of them as I would a non-Special Olympics participant it would be wrong and humiliating for both of us.

Yet if I utter these truths aloud, I am a bad person. Oh well. Sorry, but the emperor is naked on this one.

All those blowing this out of proportion are retarded.

I'm waiting to see the right wingers jump on Obama for this – like they give a hoot about the Special Olympics. On three separate occasions attempts were made to declare National Special Olympics days, and they were blocked by the GOP. So, if you avowed right wingnuts attempt to jump on this, you should be ashamed of yourselves!!!

"Get a grip", "Most Americans say the same thing"....it's really funny how people make excuses and try to rationalize things when they LIKE the president. When they DON'T LIKE the president they chastize him for every blunder that comes out of his mouth. Love Obama? Fine, but when he makes a mistake, he makes a mistake. Referring to the Special Olympics in a negative context is a mistake, and as president he should apologize, and he did...case closed.

I love it all you liberals are the PC police and dont want to offend

anyone, but poor little barack getting raked over the coals, "oh we just

cant have that"

Love the hypocrisy.

humor is dead in this country

Please, President Obama was making fun and laughing at himself for his bowling score, and of course, the media would take it out of context. With all the problems this country is facing and the President is attempting to keep main street America informed and articulating the issues so that we can understanding, and the only thing the media can write and talk about is what the media has called a "gaffe." The interview was wonderful and it was just a joy to see our President relaxed, educating us, and enjoying the moment. Just get over this and let's move on because frankly, dear media, you are losing this battle. I'm disappointed in Shriver, that after the President apologized, that he would try to use the moment as an opportunity for himself. Shriver should be ashame of himself.

I have to admit I did cringe when he said it...it was inappropriate, but we all make mistakes.

How about Sarah Palin?

Come on, folks...he didn't mean to hurt feelings.. IF you feel so strongly about this, maybe I ought to ask for apologies from all who have cracked deaf jokes. I do not take it personally! At least he apologized BEFORE the show...move on!

UNREAL! I hope Obama tells them this is NOT a time to play community leader. He is THE PRESIDENT and has NO time to deal with these people acting like they were offended. Its crap! I am a democrat, but give me a break! Bush was as close to the special olympics we need in the white house. Please Obama just let this go, and stop apologizing, the more you do the more these people will act like you owe them something. THAT is the problem with saying sorry in this country, its always being attached with conditions of acceptance. Ignorant!!!!

BO is already working with a Special Olympian. That would be Pelosi.

Oh come on now, we already had a retard in the WH for the past 8 years.

Some Republicans should really examine their unnecessary drama. President Obama meant no harm, and perhaps he could hire an athlete to demonstrate abilities to rise above challenges. The Special Olympics is a great organization, which I support whenever possible.

Michelle,

Good job you compared barack to Larry the Cable guy.

Very appropriate.

Obama fans excuse and Bush fans rant. This is just one more example of Obama's arrogance (Bush was just as arrogant). Of course, Obama's constant mantra about being able to multitask while the economy continues to slide downhill shows all the arrogance I need to see. Everyone who was in touch with reality knew Obama was arrogant before he was elected. This is not news and should be overlooked by the media as they change their focus to the important issues of the day-like the economy. All you Obama fans should take note that Hillary gets the job done while Obama continues to campaign. That is Hillary is a worker; Obama is a BSer (who needs a teleprompter to stay out of trouble).

PS: Physically handicapped people are not necessarily mentally deficient. Hiring a physically handicapped person might educate some of the ignorant people who don't seem to understand that.

The reason people are so sensitive about this is because whenever anyone disagrees with Obama on anything, they call them a racist. And now Obama supporters are saying that this is no big deal and people are taking this out of context. Welcome to the world of people who don't support Obama!

Obama is an elitist snob!

I really expected a little more from CNN you're starting to sound like MNBC or FOX move on.

Obama was insensitive. Yeah I can see that point of view. What does that make Rush Limbaugh and Laura what's-her-face and all the other "conservative" talk show hosts??? They spew things incredibly more insensitive and where's CNN calling them gaffes?

Gosh ! if its not POTUS, its gotta be FLOTUS. I can see why they have a lot in common. Keep it coming. Go ahead and disable it.

If he can call Bill Clinton racist then he needs to pay for this.

Their making a lot of stink of a litte of nothing. His comments show that he is real people. No one gets so offended when Larry the Cable Guy makes comments about "retards". They find it funny. Even if you work in the field you still make comments every now and then when talking outside of work.

Find something else to complain about.

Oh how things would play out here and on other liberal sites if Bush had said this . . .

When we belittle ourselves or someone else we sometimes reap serious consequences. President Obama's comments came as he was trying to explain/describe his limitations. We all have limitations. The president is no different. How he explained his limitations came under fire from those who should be very careful. We all have disabilities, some of us are just more up front about ours. Example: I want to learn Spanish, but if you put me in a situation in this country where I'd have to speak spanish to communicate with someone I'd be incapacitated. That's the message Mr. Shriver doesn't get. I do respect Mr. Shriver's work.

He made a mistake, he is human you know. Is there anyone out there who is so perfect that they never say or do anything wrong ? Give the man a break and stop waiting for him to make a mistake.

The point he was trying to make is that he is lousy when it comes to bowling. Special olympics is a different league and the participants ability is limited compared to regular olympics. All these people blowing his comments out of propotion, are infact expressing the physically challenged special olympics athletes.

Another point many are missing is that we went for eight + years without an apology for any of a number of horrible gaffes and mistakes due to unprecedented arrogance and hubris. We should appreciate the humanity and humility of a man who takes action but makes mistakes, acknowledges them and is able to make a sincere apology when appropriate and move on. It is refreshing. There are WAY too many people in this world right now who are incapable of admitting when they're wrong and apologizing. Such humility and accountibility is not a character flaw, but something to be admired and appreciated. Did anyone really expect him to be perfect, and if so, why? He promised bold action, that is what the voters voted for and that is what he is delivering. Now take a deep breath and have some patience.

This is ridiculous! Now the chairman of the Special Olympics wants President Obama to hire a mentally or physically challenged person to work in the White House. Why? Because of the comment made? The chairman is just as mentally challenged as his organization.

Are we becoming a "Nation of Whinners"????

All I have to say is. What if this was Bush's comment....? and why hire one of there people when we have plenty already in congress!

Biden got that job.

I remember not so long ago that Saint O was calling for the outser of Don Imus for making a joke. What goes around comes around Saint O and your 15 mins is long past its expiration date. Keep up the good work there Saint O.

Get a grip people... we are driving the political correctness into the ground. I would say that on any given day and time there is someone saying something that will offend someone. He was not making fun of the Special Olympics or those that participate rather he was making fun of himself.

And the world ends cause he says things that many normal Americans themselves would say off camera. Deal with it

People are trying too hard to make him look bad. Every time he does anything at all, he is criticized.

Hatred is rampant in the Republican Party.

I saw Jay Leno last night and unless you were listening for an offense, there was none. He clearly explained the mess we are and show himself to be quite engaged. While his comment was unfortunate, it was not the comment we should be talking about. The recession in turning into a depression and no one person in America or the world has the answer. That is far more troubling. The comment we should be talking about is that his treasury secretary has a full plate. That is far more troubling and we should be pressure him to fill get his team together. I was glad that he is laughing because I know he is not sleeping well.

I have time to write this because I am laid off my job.

Someone needs to clue him in that he won the presidency and then he can stick to the real business of being president.

I'm not sure was he speaking about his bowling skills or his Presidential skills..... they both seem to be about the same....

It's funny reading the comments from Democrats (The Champions of Political Correctness) trying to defend Obama's statements. I would expect this comment from Candidate or Senator Obama not President Obama.

I think we have enough intellectually challenged people in Washington. We don't need to be having anymore than there already is. Let them stick to people greeting and stocking groceries. I don't care about their dignity, only their abilities.

I don't think Obama was making fun of handicapped people. I think he was making fun of himself. Can't anyone say anything anymore as a joke without someone getting offended and seizing the opportunity to critisize that person? Good heavens everyone carries a chip on their shoulders and just waits for someone to knock it off. Grow up! I have seen people act retarded that weren't and we've joked about it. That doesn't mean we have any special group or people in mind. A joke is a joke! Nothing personal.

He was making fun of his own bowling skills by comparing them to the special olympics, get a life people and stop being so thin skinned

Anyone notice how quite Mike Steele has been? Perhaps that whipping Rush gave him put him in his place. This is all a right wing move to make Obama look bad. Dont drink the hateraid

Of course if Bush had said something like this, all you people defending Obama and saying it was no big deal, would have scolded Bush for saying it. Such a double standard with Democrats.

So many of you people posting are totally pathetic. Replace Obama with Pres. Bush or any republican and you same people defending Obama would be beating Pres. Bush/a republican over the head with mean/nasty remarks and insults. Personally from an HONEST point of view, people in this country worry and focus way to much over things people say. This fact just shows how stupid we are as a society. There isnt a single person in this world who doesnt say something stupid at some point and politicians surely are a group who stick their feet in their mouths over and over.... Obama is no exception.

Oh boy, here we go again. You need to grown up people. Get a life or something. We have so many people that want to God. All you see and hear are other folk’s words and not your own. By writing your hateful words on this blog it is you that need to be silence.

It seems that all you are doing is wishing that you live to get up each day and write on this blog. Forgive me, but you are so prefect in what you do and say that God forbid that you shouldn’t make it into heaven. At least our President is human. Nor you or I will have the last say so on judgment day. Thank God.

We have some crying and begging to see President Obama birth certificate.

God forgive me for saying this, but I guess they will be asking for Jesus birth certificate as well.

God forgive me for saying this, but your son, Jesus was born in a mangle.

God forgive me for saying this, but since your son, Jesus wasn’t born in a hospital, and let us not forget that he was born in a far away country and not the United States he can’t be the choice one.

God forgive me for saying this, and his name is Jesus Christ.

God forgive me for saying this, what is a Jesus Christ?

God forgive me for saying this, Jesus mother was human and you were a spirit so that would make Jesus half and half, Half human, Half Sprit.

God forgive me for saying this, so Jesus is not one of us.

Now I understand why I should be praying more and more each day. I give you Lord all the glory and praise that I was given another chance to wake up this morning and to get my life in order before I die; or before you return.

Oh God! forgive me, forgive me, and forgive me.

Please forgive me. The buck stops here.

Barry's Teleprompter

This got to a BIG JOKE!!!!!!! What for, there isn't a misperceptions about the talents and abilities of people with intellectual disabilities, and demonstrate their dignity and value to the world. Get over it

I support President Obama, and I don't like seeing people jump all over other people's mistakes. We all make them, and we know that some of this quick criticism is for entertainment and some is for political manipulation. But I'm getting worried about the number of distractions. Please, just govern.

Words do hurt if used in the wrong way, I dont think that the president
met what he said to hurt because I am sure most of your Special Olympic kids have a much better bowling game than he does. Even my 6 year old granddaughter does.

We just had eight years of special needs people running the White House,enough is enough.

This is what happens when Obama is off his usually present teleprompter, a disaster in which Obama shows his true colors. Obama is not a nice man. Wake up America!

Let's put this into perspective, people:

Obama said one stupid thing.

Let's look at how many stupid things Bush said over the last 8 years.

It just doesn't compare. Get off Obama's back. He said he was sorry. Get over it!

This is why a President should not do late night comedy. It demeans the office of the Presidency, and it creates the perfect opporunity for the President to say something stupid. Obama should stop with the campaign mentality and realize that he has a very difficult job facing him for the next 4 years. And let's pray that it's only 4 years and then we can elect a real President.

Oh please – now he has to hire someone every time he has a slip of the tongue. I don't remember getting a job when offered to me to make up for all the snide comments made to me when I grew up, nor did most of the impoverished in this Country. The physically challenged are not the only disabled in this Country and many others don't have an organization to stick up for them. Expecting him to offer a job at the White House in exchange is like extortion. I wish people would have done this for all of the other politicians. Not to mention you haven't even indicated what qualifications they have to fill the position your pandering for.

Oh for crissakes, so what. He didn't say he hates special ed kids. It was a joke. It didn't mean anything.

I am very, very disappointed in the President.

Wow, and the shakedown begins. Yes I am sure we need a special olympics czar to join the white house staff. In fact, I think we need a new federal department to cater specifically towards the needs of special olympics participants. Lets pay the czar $200k per year plus lavish bonuses, and of course pay for a staff of 20.

I get a nice, warm, fuzzy feeling about my tax dollars going to such a program.

How about Bush or Cheney – or better yet Palin!

“In so doing, he could help end misperceptions about the talents and abilities of people with intellectual disabilities, and demonstrate their dignity and value to the world,"

Hi. Remember Bush? Yeah... see, we tried that already....

Btw, "Misperceptions" – not a word.

Hmmm...what a surprise that this blog determines this topic to be "newsworthy". Isn't this the same blog that determined the Obama's NCAA picks constituted news as well? I definitely feel more comfortable about this "new media".

And why am I not surprised that THIS is the one thing that was determined to be "critical" to the interview from the president.

Major newspapers are failing everyday, and it's good to know you folks are picking up the slack.

As always, well done CNN.

Should stay in Washington and WORK instead of running around the country and yucking it up on late night talk shows. Didn't McCain try to get BO to attend town hall meetings during the campaign?

Why doesn't the Administration and Congress cut their pay to set the tone at the top for excess in this country.

GET THE MESSAGE: A LOT OF AMERICANS ARE HURTING!!!!!!!!

Trent Lott had to step down as speaker of the house after trying to make an old guy feel good at a private party. I don't think Trent Lott really meant we need more segregationist in the world but he had to step down anyway. Why the double standard?

Move on.....nothing to see hear!!!!!!

Drip, drip , drip, drip, drip..........

Typical of the "gotcha" mentality of the press that this is the main focus. The President said a lot of very important things about the economy in a forum that reaches out to people who often don't follow the news shows. But as usual that is all overlooked in favor of controversy and sensationalism. Too bad.

Mr. Shriver should move on. The president has already apologized for his slip of the tongue remarks about the Special olympics. Knowng him (not personally) I think he did not make that statement in a derogatory way. The best thing to do is not to let the media keep stretching this again and again.

People are too sensitive. This was not a dig against the handicapped or Special Olympics. CNN by fostering this is again proving that they are rapidly drifting away from real news and becoming tabloidists- which makes this kind of thing take on a life of it's own and it gives voice to people who only want to be controversial to see how much attention it gets them. Shame on CNN and any "responsible" news organization for having aything to do with this.

I thought we had one of their athletes in the White House already: His name was George W. Bush!

How many "honest" mistakes does this guy make? He can't even hire his own staff without making a mistake. I would really like to see our president work. The campaign is over!!

Oh man, chill out. Calm down. Stop it.

And who i perfect?

Pres. Obama doesnt care about people with special needs because he is for abortion and seems to me he'd rather not see them around. Everyone deserves to live.

oh Francis, there are few metally challenged people forking for the WH
Those are name is Barack, Obama, the other one is Timothy Geithner

I am offended. he appologized to someone at the Special Ed Olympic headquarters, not to me or my daughter

Carmon March 20th, 2009 11:36 am ET
Oh C'mon give me a break. Rush puts down all races of all sizes, I don't see anyone asking him for a job. PLEEEEEZZ!
------------
Clearly you have never listened to Rush Limbaugh! But don't let that deter you from forming an opinion about him!

I think he should be our new fed cheif. Can't do any worse than the guy in there now...

Wow, so Shriver isn't wasting any time taking advantage of the Presidential slip-up, is he?

He already has one.

Joe Biden.

Should have said "the McCain Campaign" instead.

You see it's not only white people who make a mistake in speaking.
I'm glad they called him out.

Funny if it's a white person says something stupid, it's racist or bias. An African- American says something stupid, it's a human error.
" Something to think about ".

I am dissapointing that President Obama made that comment.

I worked for Special Olympics Northern California for almost four years helping run a program that helps 14,000 athletes. If you never have been expose or know anyone with intelectual disabilities than is not a big deal to you, but we have to work hard to stop people for making fun and using the R word.

I am no longer with Special Olympics but still volunteer. I was elected as a Delegate to the 2008 DNC, even do at first I was not an Obama supported at the convention I did became and worked hard on his campaign to elect him. It would be great for him to attend on 03/31/2009 at an event to Stop the R word as an example if He really means the apology to this amazing community and make awarness!!!

Please stop using the R word and take time to get to know this amazing people!!!

Delegate from California CD 10th

Why not? They already have a bunch of retards working in the administration. Would one more make a difference? On a lighter note: Isn't Barry's wife special needs? She looks a little learning disabled to me…maybe Downs syndrome or something. : ) Doesn't she count??

The comment was made in the context of joke when the president was having some fun with Jay Leno. Lighten up already. This is exactly why public figures shy away from interviews and situations where they can let their hair down. There is always some individual, or group, trying to make a mountain out of a mole hill. It was a great show, plain and simple. Move on!

Mr Shriver, please be understanding of the fact that the American people already put one of your Special Olympics persons into the Oval Office. Shame on you for your insensitivity about this.

OK, stop tearing your clothing and screaming "blasphemer!" He slipped up, he apologized. End of story.

Why not? They already have a bunch of retards working in the administration. Would one more make a difference? On a lighter note: Isn't Barry's wife special needs? She looks a little learning disabled to me...maybe Downs syndrome or something. : ) Doesn't she count?

GET OVER IT!

It was funny! The point of it was to be funny and it was funny!

My son participates in Challenger's Bowling and I was not offended.

I see a pattern: do something STUPID, then apologize and hope it goes away...

I have a cousin who has Downs Syndrome and she is the sweetest person in the world. No one should be made fun of.

It was honst "mistake" on Obama side. No drama or big deal need to make out of this. Period.

Good for them-I hope BO LEARNS to be a bit more sensitive to this group of people. Hey BO-mean what you say and say what you mean!

The most important quality in a grown-up society is the ability to laugh at ourselves. Americans seem to have lost it. A sense of humour should be mandatory for all public officials and those in charge of making the rules.

Oh C'mon give me a break. Rush puts down all races of all sizes, I don't see anyone asking him for a job. PLEEEEEZZ!

Give me a break!!!! Shriver probably just wants a job in the white house somewhere.

Give someone an inch and they want to take a mile. Kick rocks Shriver. You got your apology, now get back to work. I can't believe the audacity of some people.

If someone an inch and they want to take a mile. Kick rocks Shriver. You got your apology, now get back to work. I can't believe the audacity of some people.

Oh, brother! Stop it already.

What about the Special Olympics hiring BUSH?! He fits the criteria.

no harm can come of it and it is good exposure

I am sure President Obama would do this in a heartbeat
but before everyone panics as usual ,please remember the President is not perfect!!!
He will make mistakes the odd time and misspeak like all of us
He is only human!!!
Quit scrutinizing him so much and get behind him and support him
He is truly trying and in my opinion an amazing president
I have never seen a President and first Lady REACH out to the people
like this couple and to all ethnic groups' in general all american
people
It is indeed a refreshing change!!

He(obamby)is getting an award from the news people and has barred the press from attending, Iran snubs him, the UK is mad about the DVD's that do not work in the UK,he makes jokes about the special olympics. I guess obamby is finding out it is alot easier to talk about the Presidency than it is to be the President. Add to that, he had the Treasury Secretary protect the bonuses to AIG then had everyone lie about it is catching up with him.

The President not only gave a distasteful and inappropriate comment about the Special Olympics, he ridiculed the Secret Service, who are trained and prepared to protect his life – at the expense of their own. Does he think he looks cool by making these comments? I see it as dishonorable.

Dear Obama.
I don't think Mr. Shriver's request is too much to ask for. I hope you comply. But just to make sure that this individual feels like an equal to the other members of your staff, I would suggest that you put these special needs applicants through the same rigorous vetting process everybody else had to go through. If you do chose to hire one of these guys make them work for it!

I have a Down Syndrome nephew and I wasn't upset or offended by President Obama's comment..everyone has a slip of the tongue..he is only human and trying very hard to reach out to everyone… and I know this president wouldn't intentionally hurt anyone!! Since he is Bi Racial he's endured many racist comments from the McCain/Palin Cabal!!! And the GOP is still calling him names!!! Where is the outrage for that stereotyping????? And knowing President Obama he will do something with the Special Olympians..because he himself is a VERY special person!!!!!!!!!

now lets see all the hypocrites say weather or not this guy is qualify or not,because of his condition.

One Word:

IMPEACH.................

It's a good thing criticising Democratic presidents is off-limits. Otherwise President Obama would be excoriated.

Doesn't the White House already have a janitorial staff?

Shriver. Shut the H.E.double hockey sticks up. You yourself call it the "Special" Olympics. Which means some of the people have disabilities to allow them to participate in the "Olympics". Take a chill pill and stop trying to get your 15 minutes of fame on the presidents behalf. There was no malice or ill-will in his comment.

oh my GOODNESS! cut it out, it that's the case every time he brought up African American he needed to hire one for the white house, then he would have a all African American Staff! Stop! dont try to use this as a stepping stool. you need to run and work hard like everyone else in the white house.

...and, cue Timothy Shriver's 15 minutes of fame... go!

Pres. said something dumb that is commonplace in the American lexicon and apologized for it. done and done.

So because President Obama made a poor comment about Special Olympics, which he immediately apologized for, he needs to hire one of them? Give me a break!

I watched him on Jay Leno last night and thought him talking about the economy was exactly what the country needs to hear. He made a joke that really wasn't meant to be mean, and that is what everyone is focused on. I am unemployed because I got laid off on my job, and THAT is what the media is focusing on? The little joke wasn't that big of a deal, fixing the problems of this country is. Maybe people should grow up a little. Did these people not have enough Octomom stuff to follow on TV yet? It's sad that these things distract people from the real issues. No wonder we elected someone like Bush twice.

“SLIP OF THE TONGUE” is an unintentional utterance; a mistake in speaking.

This can happen to any human being. Whether it is Obama or Bush.

There is nothing to make so much of a DRAMA of it.

Be mature folks.

Now if the token Steele will appoint a "one armed midget" to the RNC, after getting the approval of the bald, bloated bonehead of course.

We already have the House and Senate more than enough people with "special needs" on the tax payers payroll. It was a self effacing remark about his bowling skills or lack thereof. Let's not turn an ant hill into Everest to push an agenda.

Did anyone connected with the special olympics offer an application for a job like that? I think it would be a good idea.

This sounds as opportunistic as anything the people at AIG or Wall Street have done.

If Mr. Shriver would have had the confidence to make this suggestion before the comment then its origins are good and ethical.

If he would not have then he shouldn't be doing it now. Do you believe he'd have offered this up on Monday instead of Friday?

Hire them to do "what" exactly? Are they aware that over 300,000 people filled out the Obama online job application and never got a call for a job? And those were people who were QUALIFIED.

about the organization during his Thursday night appearance on The Tonight Show.

No, the comment was about Obama not the Special Olympics. If we hire this guy then can we make fun of them? This sounds like a Jessie Jackson or Sharpton move to get consessions for a false move.

Are you saying this guy does not deserve a job but now that tention is high he sees a chance to slip in?

Oh please! Now they want favors. He made no mistakes. Get over it. Other people in the world are laughing at us over here.

Oh lighten up Francis.

He meant no harm.