Posted by During the first appearance of a sitting president on a late night talk show, President Obama may have committed his first major public gaffe since the election.
He cracked a joke about the Special Olympics.
“The White House bowling alley remains in place, Obama said, bragging that he rolled a 129-point game (‘Like the Special Olympics or something,’ he said), but a basketball court is a priority,” reported the Associated Press.
“When asked about the remark, the White House said Obama did not intend to offend,” reported ABC.
“The president made an off-hand remark making fun of his own bowling that was in no way intended to disparage the Special Olympics,” deputy press secretary Bill Burton reportedly said. “He thinks the Special Olympics is a wonderful program that gives an opportunity for people with disabilities from around the world.”
Prior to the interview’s airing, MSNBC’s Keith Olbermann took to the airwaves with news of the slip. His guest, late night host Craig Ferguson, couldn’t help but continually wonder why Obama didn’t pick David Letterman over Jay Leno.
This video is from MSNBC’s Countdown, broadcast Mar. 19, 2009.
