Schwarzenegger Defends President on Special Olympics Comments

Ahhhnold knows where his bread is buttered. When we clean house, he needs to go out with the garbage.

update-
Palin agrees with Arnie’s wife Maria Shriver re Obama’s hurtful joke:
“I was shocked to learn of the comment made by President Obama about Special Olympics,” Governor Palin said. “This was a degrading remark about our world’s most precious and unique people, coming from the most powerful position in the world.
“These athletes overcome more challenges, discrimination and adversity than most of us ever will. By the way, these athletes can outperform many of us and we should be proud of them. I hope President Obama’s comments do not reflect how he truly feels about the special needs community.”
Shriver:
California’s first lady issued a statement Friday, a day after the president made the gaffe on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Obama later called Maria’s brother, Special Olympics Chairman Tim Shriver, to apologize.
The siblings’ mother, Eunice Kennedy-Shriver, founded the Special Olympics and has championed the rights of the mentally disabled.
Maria Shriver says the reaction to Obama’s joke shows there is still more work to do. She says laughing at such comments “hurts millions of people throughout the world.”
Shriver, a Democrat, supported Obama’s presidential campaign.

Right! Like how about:
“I just use my muscles as a conversation piece, like someone walking a cheetah down 42nd Street.”
or
“The best activities for your health are pumping and humping.”
or
“My relationship to power and authority is that I’m all for it. People need somebody to watch over them. Ninety-five percent of the people in the world need to be told what to do and how to behave.”
or
“To those critics who are so pessimistic about our economy, I say, Don’t be economic girlie men.”

Who cares what Palin says. This from a woman who used her own child every chance she got. As a mother of a young man that has disabilities I understood what the Prez was saying. So please move the heck on. The problem is who paid attention to the rest of the things the Prez said. Me and my son did. This outrage should have been for 8 years for when the budget of the special needs was being cut over and over again. Hypocrites are the first to cry the blues.

Hey…send me a ton of money and I’ll defend you too! Arnold didn’t get to be Gov. by being stupid.

Why are we Not Focusing on the Good things the President said, Like Finally Restoring COMMONSENSE REGULATION! So we Dont End up with More Bank Bailouts, Or Bernie Madoffs. Commonsense rules and Regulations is Seriously Needed and Long Over due

Can’t believe the comments from GOP supporters who a few years ago wanted a Constitutional Amendment so Arnold could run as President.
What a bunch of sad Jokers you are.
Principled? LOL
Cut funding for Children, cut funding for the disabled, cut funding for Education, over and over again.
Your false concern is pathatic.

If you don’t have a family member with a disability you should keep your trap shut because you have no clue what it means to have a physician tell you your child is not like the other children and never will be. People with racial, religious, gender, sexual preference, language issues have a chance to lead normal lives. These kids never will.
More important matters? Education? Health Care? Oh yeah, that has nothing to do with special needs kids. Special needs parents have long since given up the general public and politicians understanding where we are coming from. The President’s comments were offensive and if you don’t know why … I wouldn’t expect you to.

I watched Leno’s show last night and
like many others heard Mr. Obama’s remark about the “Special Olympics.” Immediately I understood his style of speech and knew that he meant no harm when he compared his bowling skills to the handicapped. He simply meant he bowls slow and carefully and even laughed at himself for doing so.
His words are been taken out of context. Heavens, there are far greater things we need to critize. Example:
GREED, THEFT, LIARS, BLACKMAILING, THE ECONOMY, etc. Move On!

There was no INTENT to hurt or humiliate people with special needs. Obama was just poking fun at his bowling score. INTENT, not words.

The parents with SPecial Needs children don’t feel hurt, so why are the critics coming out.

Today must be a slow news day.

Penney? Talk to ALL them special needs parents did ya?

I think people have become FAR too sensitive… a product of over-coddling I presume. What used to be ‘free speech’ has become worrying whether you are treading on someones’ feelings. CLEARLY Obama was making a self-depreciating joke about his bowling abilities… NOT whether he is sensitive or insensitive to those with special needs. We are just taking this to ridiculous levels! Soon it will be taboo to speak of people who are balding, or putting on a few pounds… or God forbid being old or being young… Soon we won’t be able to say anything!!

There is no excuse for making a comment like that, especially for a President appearing on a nationally televised program. How smart is that?

Isn’t it amazing how forgiving people can be about the “inarticulate speech” of one President when the same people probabl were all over the previous President for his various verbal stumbles. Now don’t get riled up about the war, economy and other policy issues…that’s not what we are talking about here. It’s the way people are saying things about this situation like “he didn’t mean it to be insensitive” or “he was just making fun of himself” or “he was just describing how slow and methodical he is when he bowls,” etc. He apparently felt he was being insensitive enough to apologize. Let’s not make excuses or try to explain it away by telling us what he meant to say. It is what it is. You can either believe he exposed his true character and willingness to make fun of others at their expense or you believe he made a verbal mistake, but you can’t read his mind.

From now on, bowling will be the “sport” at the White House. You thought it would be basketball, huh?

More proof that Obama can’t speak without his pre-programmed teleprompter. Words written, of course, by his handlers. The guy is a narcissistic moron.

I am impressed by the Presidents apology and not what Sarah Palin picked from nowhere!

Here’s Obama after Don Imus’ unfortunate racial remark:
“He didn’t just cross the line,” Obama said. “He fed into some of the worst stereotypes that my two young daughters are having to deal with today in America. The notions that as young African-American women — who I hope will be athletes — that that somehow makes them less beautiful or less important. It was a degrading comment. It’s one that I’m not interested in supporting.”

I think I’m going to watch Arnold Movies this weekend :-D
Arnold movie quotes -
“What is best in life: Crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentation of the women!” –from “Conan the Barbarian”
“I’ll be back.” –in “The Terminator”
“If it bleeds, we can kill it.” –in “Predator”
Obama will be ok and make less mistakes like this in the future. Bush made so many of them and didn’t care who he hurt.

I strongly dislike Obama’s politics and unfortunately think he will be a bad president however in his defense this is a non-issue. Everyone gets too offended and is too pc.
Would it have been better if he didnt say it? Of course.
Is it a big deal? No.

Can Tapper bowl? Just curious. What’s his score? Really…not snark.

However I do find some amusment in Obama, who used PC and the race card in a dispicable way, cornered by PC by his own remarks.
I however dislike PC in general so cannot condemn him for it but maybe he needs to show the tolerance for others (if warranted; for example the fairy tale thing was absolutely ridiculous) as he expects others to show to him. The door swings both ways.

I can see where he’s coming from with the joke, that’s something I would say if I wasn’t being midful. He was trying to look for a funny way to say he sucks at bowling. On a high pressure show like Jay Leno it’s easy to lose focus and say something messed up. You may not realize it at the moment but he was notified later and he has apologized for it. Why people are touting it is beyond me…oh of course, the confused people who voted for Mccain are still angry over the loss so they wait for any chance they get to call Obama a moron. There we go…. why are people so sad?

Andre… High pressure? Leno is in hip pocket like the rest of that Hollywood crowd with a few exceptions. Leno is far from high pressure. Yeah maybe over reaction but its payback time after all the jokes made about Bush. Get used to it.

Hey CRYOS, get your facts straight. If you paid more attention to the campaign and less attention to Tina Fey on SNL you’d know that Sarah Palin did not make that statement in that context. Its people like you who vote and have zero knowledge to back up that vote.
Posted by: jdarts85 | Mar 20, 2009 6:34:36 PM
===========================
I think you confused me with another poster. I just said I don’t think that is a big deal but it is refreshing to see someone who abuses PC for political gain having it turned against him even though the media will justify and soften the blows.
So far as Palin she was 100% COMPLETELY unfairly treated in the election and it is absolutely disgusting how far the media went to smear her name. Every hearsay rumor including things totally untrue like the “rallies” were used in a united front to make her look bad.
2008 was a shameful year for the media in which I don’t think they’ll recover. They have shot all credibility.
Palin messed up her first couple interviews but after that things were good and she schooled Biden in the debates about things like the VP role.

“Palin messed up her first couple interviews but after that things were good”
She didn’t do interviews after that.
“and she schooled Biden in the debates about things like the VP role.”
ROFLMAO!
She read a script regardless of the question.
She would have her head handed to her in the GOP debates.
Think of what happened to Romney times ten.

AndreB
Obama usually speaks with a teleprompter. He should ALWAYS use one. LOL!
He can handle crowds like nobody’s business, that’s no excuse for him. He just said the first thing that came to his mind. DOLT!

“Palin messed up her first couple interviews but after that things were good”
She didn’t do interviews after that.
“and she schooled Biden in the debates about things like the VP role.”
ROFLMAO!
She read a script regardless of the question.
She would have her head handed to her in the GOP debates.
Think of what happened to Romney times ten.
Posted by: Ryan C | Mar 20, 2009 6:51:11 PM
========================
I figured a champion partisan apologist like you would chime in.
Actually she did do interviews and press conferences. It was Biden who didn’t hold any interviews and press conferences for over 6 weeks after his “maybe Hillary would be better” statement.
But I suppose I must be wrong because I believe the real not the revisionist liberal version.
Oh nice deflection regarding the VP question. Do you seriously think “she read a script” and then deflecting to the GOP debate was a real answer? Do yourself a favor and don’t respond unless you have a real answer.
Pretty cool how Biden didn’t know the role of the VP or even what articles in the constitution refer to what branch. I figured he learned it while going to dunkin donuts for an indian accent or while listening to FDR on the 1929 tv.

A side note also since you mentioned Romney. There is a PERFECT example of how public speaking isn’t a prerequisite for intelligence and success. Romney is 10X the businessman Obama could ever hope to be.
We have the do nothing Obama who hasn’t run a lemonade stand but gives a good speech and somehow that makes him “qualified. “

Arnold is basically right. The President made a slip. He didn’t intend to disrespect the handicapped. After all he was struggling with his own handicap…speaking without a Teleprompter. One might ask why the President of the U.S. with unemployment soaring and an understaffed treasury dept thought it was necessary to go on a late night talk show and make bad jokes to start with….but we know he doesn’t do well without the Teleprompter so give him a break on this one!

“A side note also since you mentioned Romney. There is a PERFECT example of how public speaking isn’t a prerequisite for intelligence and success”
While Romney has gaffe disease on a Biden level, he is not a bad public speaker.
But that didn’t save him in the debates hence my quo that Palin would be toast.
Posted by: Ryan C | Mar 20, 2009 7:02:45 PM
==============================
Nice try but you fail. The issue at hand was Palin and Biden. Sorry buddy theoretic debate arguments as a deflection don’t count.

“I also would assert Romney is not a good public speaker in a lot of respects but that is subjective.”
Granted it is subjective but I thought Romney was a decent speaker and he seems to do well when he is on TV.

Ryan C, if I recall correctly, Obama called for Imus to be fired following his offensive remarks.

“Ryan C, if I recall correctly, Obama called for Imus to be fired following his offensive remarks.”
Yes he did.
“I understand MSNBC has suspended Mr. Imus,” Obama told ABC News, “but I would also say that there’s nobody on my staff who would still be working for me if they made a comment like that about anybody of any ethnic group. And I would hope that NBC ends up having that same attitude.”
“Insults, humor that degrades women, humor that is based in racism and racial stereotypes isn’t fun,” the senator told ABC News.
“And the notion that somehow it’s cute or amusing, or a useful diversion, I think, is something that all of us have to recognize is just not the case. We all have First Amendment rights. And I am a constitutional lawyer and strongly believe in free speech, but as a culture, we really have to do some soul-searching to think about what kind of toxic information are we feeding our kids,” he concluded.
But by all means shed a tear for dear ole racist Don Imus.

It was a bone head thing to say…He apologized….Time to move on…

Only a Liberal could get away with saying what “Obama” said. And only another Liberal, like “Ahhhnold” would come to his defense.
Just imagine a Conservative, after playing a “crappy” game of basketball, saying to Jay Leno…
“Yeah man, I played the game like a 3 ft. BLACK man wearing “cement” Air Jordans!”
Al Sharpton, Jessie Jackson, the Congressional Black Caucus and the entire NAACP would be calling for an Impeachment!
Seems like “Insensitive Prejudical Comments” don’t apply to Liberals, just Conservatives!

Unscripted candid remarks are how we can come to know a persons real charactor….
Obama trys to hide his real charactor…thus the telepromptor….
But he can’t hide every minute….and during those times he overwhelmingly…shows us what an arrogant and elitist man he is….
I guess you all missed another comment he made…..He BELIEVES he’s an AMERICAN IDOL……
Yes……..he does…….

Boy, its a good thing we don’t have to worry about the economy and there aren’t American soldiers dying anywhere, so we can enjoy these good times diversions.

Andre B: “On a high pressure show like Jay Leno it’s easy to lose focus and say something messed up.”
Great. Obama can’t handle the “high pressure” of an entertainment show, but wants to talk face-to-face, off-the-cuff to America’s worst enemies. That thought will help me sleep better nights!
Boden: “He was not comparing himself to a Special Olympian. He was commenting on how Jay was coddling him.”
Spin, spin, spin. Now I’ve heard everything!
Ryan C: Your 7:22:12 Obama quote regarding Imus is inspirational.
Now read through it and apply it to Obama’s derision of Special Olympians. I particulary like when he said – or is that read – “And the notion that somehow it’s cute or amusing…” Someone needs to tell Obama he’s neither.

Many people who voted for Obama are beginning to “SEE” what a “mistake” they made in electing this guy as President.
Obama has been in office for ONLY 2 months and he is “working” to keep his “Poll Numbers UP”! THAT’S HIS JOB, Folks, in the Grand “Scheme” of things.
Meanwhile, the “Liberals” who “control” Congress are “ramming through” the “Liberal” Socialist Agenda, enacting “Unconstitutional” Legislation and “Distracting” Americans with “meaningless” Political “Witch-Hunts” while they “Stick-It-To-Us” behind our backs!
All-the-While, Obama “Goes on Tour” as some kind of a “Celebrity” in Campaign “mode”.
The “Scheme” is for Obama to “maintain” a “Populist” Status with the American People by apprearing with Jay Leno and holding “Town Meetings”, while Congress and the FED “destroy” Capitalism.
This is all by design, Folks! It’s Intentional, Orchestrated and Vailed.
Wake Up!

Oh, for heaven’s sake, he slipped and made a politically incorrect comment. I’m sure as soon as it came out of his mouth he regretted it. It was unfortunate and he should be more careful and cognizant of what he says. I agree. Can we move on, please?

arnold speaks the truth – good for him. still wonder what letterman said about why leno rather than him? stupid prez tricks.

For Arnold it’s about the money nothing else. Did you really expect anything else.
Let’s see how many special children does the Gov. S have, NONE.
People who have no idea what it is like to have a child with special needs should really keep their comments to their selves. Ignorance.

Obama called for Imus to be fired after making insensitive remarks, but I haven’t heard Imus calling for Obama to be fired after insensitive remarks.

Ok,the world economical will like the special olympic games became better in the futher days

Are any of You making 200,000-300,000, 400,000 or a 100,000,000 Per Year….
No You Don’t !!
There’s Not that Many in the Nation, to fit in this Financial Tax Bracket…
Sorry
Just like these Brainwashed Republican Radio Pundits such as the Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity and Glenn Beck Listeners…
Note: Thinking that YOU are in their SHOES, when you barely make 45,000 a year, like Joe so the so called…
“Plumber”
Corporate Welfare: AIG, Wall Street, The Banks and US Auto Corps.
That form of Welfare is Acceptable, to some of YOU…Huh

“Anchorage Alaska News: Palin wants the State to Pay Her Legal Bills !!”
You’re absolutely right that taxpayers shouldn’t be on the hook for this. Since her legal problems were trumped up by Democrats using “politics of personal destruction” tactics in a futile attempt to discredit her VP candidacy, clearly her legal bills should be paid in full by the DNC since she was eventually cleared of any wrongdoing.