by John M. Curtis
(310) 204-8700

Copyright March 20, 2009
All Rights Reserved.

             Making an unprecedented appearance on the “Tonight Show” with Jay Leno, President Barack Obama hoped to sell his political agenda.  He spoke Feb. 24 to a national audience before a joint session of Congress, pushing his new bailout and economic recovery plan.  Speaking on Leno—a first for a sitting president—simulated a kind of “fireside” chat, bypassing the rancor that continues to plague Washington.  “One of the things I’m trying to break is a pattern in Washington where everybody’s always looking for some else to blame,” Barack told Leno, sidestepping his own controversy caused when he urged Republicans to stop listening to conservative radio talk show legend Rush Limbaugh.  Barack’s Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel followed up on Sunday morning talk shows insisting the 59-year-old conservative icon was the head of the Republican Party.

            On a two-day swing in the Southland, Barack hoped to garner support for his $3.55 trillion budget and political agenda.  He pushed to overhaul the nation’s health care system, promote the alternative energy industry, commit the U.S. to global warming and reform the nation’s education system.  Leno raised the controversy du jour about Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner approving payouts of $165 million in retention bonuses to executives at American International Group, who received over $200 billion in bailout money.  Obmaa had little to say about the arcane process by which AIG executives received their bonuses.  He had nothing to say about Sen. Finance Committee Chairman Christopher Dodd (D-Conn.) who apparently inserted the loophole in Barack’s $870 billion bailout plan permitting AIG executives to receive $ 165 million in contractually promised bonuses.

            Obama sailed along on Leno until he asked about his bowling game, something known to rate poorly.  “It’s like the Special Olymptics or something,” said Barack, trying but failing to make a self-deprecating remark.  Before the show was done taping Thursday at 6:00 p.m., Barack was already engaged in a massive mea culpa, apologizing profusely for offending anyone in the disability community.  Dating back to 1969, the Speical Olymptics sought to boost self-esteem through sports for individuals afflicted with intellectual impairments.  Limbaugh spent his entire three-hour show March 20 replaying Barack’s gaffe on a continuous loops of tape.  Simultaneously, Rush played former GOP VP candidate Sarah Palin, an expected candidate in 2012, exciteed over the prospects of signing up her 10-month-old Down’s Syndrome child for the Special Olympics in the distant future.

            Since Barack’s election Nov. 4, they’ve looked for any chink in the popular Democrat’s armor, making much ado out of his most recent faux pas. Barack made his first gaffe Nov. 6 at his first press conference when asked about consulting past presidents.  “I didn’t want to get into a Nancy Reagan thing about, you know, doing séances.” He promptly apologized to the former First Lady the following day.  His flip remark about the Special Olympics falls on the heels of Geithner approving bonuses for AIG executives.  Democrats and Rublicans alike pounced on the gaffe, hoping to score some points on a popular president riding a 60% approval rating.  “In so doing, he could help end the misrepresentation about the talents and abilities of people with intellectual disabilities . . .” said Special Olympics spokeswoman Maria Shriver, the niece of President John F. Kennedy.

            Obama’s communication team went into urgent crisis mode.  “The president made an offhand remark making fun of his own bowling that was in no way intended to disparage the Special Olympics,” said Deputy Press Secretary Bill Burton, trying to undo the damage occurring fast and furious.  While Rush Limbaugh replayed Barack’s gaffe for three consecutive hours Friday, U.S. Special Olympics Director Timothy Shriver threw in his two cents.  “Words hurt and words matter, said Shriver.  “Words can cause pain and result in stereotypes that are unfair and damaging to people with intellectual disabilities.”  White House officials announced that Barack will host some basketball and bowling events with Special Olympics’ athletes at the White House.  After offending Nancy Reagan Nov. 6, Barack got his second dose of the fury of making politically incorrect comments.

            Barack’s popularity stems from his uncanny ability to connect with a large cross section of the population.  Despite his slip up, he’s already heroic with state and local officials receiving vast sums of cash from his $870 billion bailout plan.  While his enemies would like to use his gaffe to impeach his credibility, he’s been far too helpful  to exploit an honest mistake.  As he was told more than once at his recent town-hall meetings, the public appreciates how he relates and cares for the plight of average people.  Republicans remain nonplused about what to do to erode Barack’s high level of support from moderate Republicans and independents.  “In Washington, It’s a little like American Idol,” Barack told Leno.  “Except everybody is like Simon Cowell,” the cranky curmudgeon judge on the show.  Before Obama loses his Teflon, he’d be well-advised to get up-to-speed on political correctness.

About the Author

John M. Curtis writes politically neutral commentary analyzing spin in national and global news. He's editor OnlineColumnist.com and author of Dodging The Bullet and Operation Charisma.

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