Obama on Leno

[drunkpirate66]

I can't stand the guy's politics . . . but people need to lighten up about the "Special Olympics" comment made in reference to his bowling ability. I loved it! Very down to Earth. Very funny, IMO. I have worked with Special Education kids for years and I found no offense to it. I bet many people here will disagree with me and that is fine. I realize a President shouldn't come across in such a manner. But still, good to see the man has a sense of humor.

However, I wonder how people would have felt if W. said it?

[surfpirate]

If "W" had said it, a large contingent of folks here would have jumped all over his ass.

Since Obama said it, another large contingent of folks here will jump all over his ass.

That's the way that the world goes round.

[chippewa]

Someone in that position just can't say that, he obviously wasn't thinking about what he was saying. At least he has already apologized, and will be inviting some S.O. athletes to the White House.

Didn't see his appearance, but that comment was already on the news shortly after the taping last night.

[Capt.Flock]

crap agree with John

[drunkpirate66]

crap agree with John

[Brown Eyed Girl]

crap agree with John

double crap....I do too!

I've seen folks on this very board as well as others make comments and post pictures pertaining to S.O. that were far more tasteless than Obama's reference. I think we'd be hard pressed to find one person who hasn't made a special olympics refererence about themself or others at some point in their lifetime, so before folks start pointing fingers and jumping on soap boxes, they need to think about pots and kettles. Should he have done it? No, especially not as President. But *gasp*....he's human. He made a mistake, he apologized for it. That's more than I've seen from a lot of people.

[UAHparrothead]

crap agree with John

double crap....I do too!

I've seen folks on this very board as well as others make comments and post pictures pertaining to S.O. that were far more tasteless than Obama's reference. I think we'd be hard pressed to find one person who hasn't made a special olympics refererence about themself or others at some point in their lifetime, so before folks start pointing fingers and jumping on soap boxes, they need to think about pots and kettles. Should he have done it? No, especially not as President. But *gasp*....he's human. He made a mistake, he apologized for it. That's more than I've seen from a lot of people.

Amen Kathy

[LIBuffettFan]

I didnt see it last night so I think I will stay clear of this one..

[lminor26]

I'm just glad the world is admitting he is actually human and not an immortal god sent here to save us all...JMO

[LIPH]

With everything that's going on in the country, and the world, I'm wondering why he's wasting his time flying across the country and going on a TV show. Doesn't he have more important things to do?

[MacPhin]

I can't stand the guy's politics . . . but people need to lighten up about the "Special Olympics" comment made in reference to his bowling ability. I loved it! Very down to Earth. Very funny, IMO. I have worked with Special Education kids for years and I found no offense to it. I bet many people here will disagree with me and that is fine. I realize a President shouldn't come across in such a manner. But still, good to see the man has a sense of humor.

However, I wonder how people would have felt if W. said it?

being a dubyah basher, normally i'd be negative on him. however, i didn't take it in offense. i agree with jon's jist. the guy was admitting he's not perfect...whether it came out of his or dubyah's mouth,i still would have laughed and left it at that. people need to lighten up.

outta this thread because politcal threads are too personal for me. ciao

[Brown Eyed Girl]

With everything that's going on in the country, and the world, I'm wondering why he's wasting his time flying across the country and going on a TV show. Doesn't he have more important things to do?

Well, he didn't fly across the country just for the show, he was here in Cali for 2 days of town hall meetings and other meetings, then finished up with Leno. Then again, I'm sure most of you consider anything to do with California a waste of time.

ALL politicians should stay away from the talk show circuit, because they ALL put their foot in it one time or another.

[surfpirate]

I'm 50-50 on whether he should have appeared on the Tonight Show or not. On the one hand hand I agree with Larry, doesn't he have more important things to do? But on the other hand, I like the fact that I can see my president in a more casual moment and not in TV news sound bites only and official news conferences. This week's "NCAA bracket president" and "Leno Appearance" president is generally okay by me, but he runs the risk of too much "casual overexposure" if he's not careful.

He is still the leader of the free world after all.

[FunkHouse9]

With everything that's going on in the country, and the world, I'm wondering why he's wasting his time flying across the country and going on a TV show. Doesn't he have more important things to do?

I see it as a way for the President to speak to America in a much more casual way. Public statements by the President are ususally very formal and stuffy. Perhaps he's trying to connect with the public in a different way which might make those listening a little more relaxed and receptive. It's a lot easier to listen to your buddy sitting on a couch than a suit reading a speech from a teleprompter.

[LIPH]

He's not my buddy, he's the president. I don't give s*** when he's getting a dog for his daughters, who he picked in the NCAAs, who he plays pickup basketball with or what his bowling score is. I want to know what he's going to do about the economy.

[LIBuffettFan]

With everything that's going on in the country, and the world, I'm wondering why he's wasting his time flying across the country and going on a TV show. Doesn't he have more important things to do?

I see it as a way for the President to speak to America in a much more casual way. Public statements by the President are ususally very formal and stuffy. Perhaps he's trying to connect with the public in a different way which might make those listening a little more relaxed and receptive. It's a lot easier to listen to your buddy sitting on a couch than a suit reading a speech from a teleprompter.

Actually what this is is an extension of his campaign. I heard yesterday that because he was so hugely popular during his campaign, his administration is now concerned with everything that is going on he may start to lose his popular support. The remedy for this is go back out on the road and do Town Hall meetings and things like the Tonight show to try to sway popular support back his way. The way America is today, this will probabaly work as a vast amount of the citizens and our illegal friends really arent paying very close attention to whats happening in Washington. He is working to prolong the love affair. (btw...sorry I couldn't stay away as previously posted)

[lminor26]

With everything that's going on in the country, and the world, I'm wondering why he's wasting his time flying across the country and going on a TV show. Doesn't he have more important things to do?

I see it as a way for the President to speak to America in a much more casual way. Public statements by the President are ususally very formal and stuffy. Perhaps he's trying to connect with the public in a different way which might make those listening a little more relaxed and receptive. It's a lot easier to listen to your buddy sitting on a couch than a suit reading a speech from a teleprompter.

Actually what this is is an extension of his campaign. I heard yesterday that because he was so hugely popular during his campaign, his administration is now concerned with everything that is going on he may start to lose his popular support. The remedy for this is go back out on the road and do Town Hall meetings and things like the Tonight show to try to sway popular support back his way. The way America is today, this will probabaly work as a vast amount of the citizens and our illegal friends really arent paying very close attention to whats happening in Washington. He is working to prolong the love affair. (btw...sorry I couldn't stay away as previously posted)

Good point. During his last televised speech (I forget which it was) I kept thinking, someone should tell the dude that the election is over. It sounded just like a campaign.

[Indiana Jolly Mon]

To me the question is whether we want to look at our President as someone on a pedistal that he is smarter than us, more powerful than us, basically the best of us that commanded respect, or do we want to look at him as just like us. Seems it started with Clinton as an everyman type, Bush seemed very fallible and now Obama is trying to come across as the 'everyman' with the beer at a basketball game with buddies to NCAA brackets, etc.
Not saying what is right or wrong, just that we see the President much different, and he portrays himself differently in the last 20 years or so then 30-40 years ago.

[LIBuffettFan]

To me the question is whether we want to look at our President as someone on a pedistal that he is smarter than us, more powerful than us, basically the best of us that commanded respect, or do we want to look at him as just like us. Seems it started with Clinton as an everyman type, Bush seemed very fallible and now Obama is trying to come across as the 'everyman' with the beer at a basketball game with buddies to NCAA brackets, etc.
Not saying what is right or wrong, just that we see the President much different, and he portrays himself differently in the last 20 years or so then 30-40 years ago.

I actually would prefer to think that the man in charge and the figurehead of the worlds greatest superpower is on a slightly different level than the rest of us. I think if we wanted to be the "everyman type" he should have just stayed where he was. The people in congress are the people I think should be more in touch with there constituents and more of the "everyman type". They apparently though picture themselves to be a league of extraordinary individuals.

[phjrsaunt]

For those of who don't watch Jay b/c it comes on past our bedtime

What'd he say that has people's knickers in a knot?