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Bush Would Have Been Skewered for Obama Joke

Posted Mar 20th 2009 11:50AM by TMZ Staff

President Barack Obama made fun of the handicapped last night on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno." He was making a joke about his bad bowling skills, but here's the question: If George W. Bush had said the same thing, would people be lashing out more? If so, why?

By the way, Kolan McConiughey, a Special Olympics competitor from Michigan, has bowled three perfect games of 300. Yes he can!

UPDATE -- The Special Olympics has released this statement.

Tags: Barack Obama, BarackObama, bowling, Jay Leno, JayLeno, Kolan McConiughey, KolanMcconiughey, President, Special Olympics, SpecialOlympics

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1. First?

Posted at 8:57AM on Mar 20th 2009 by elo

2. he got caught up in the moment.. It wasn't the smartest thing to say but no biggie..

Posted at 8:57AM on Mar 20th 2009 by sdwb

3. My child has special needs and i do not find that offensive... At all...

Posted at 9:00AM on Mar 20th 2009 by BkGiRL

4. Everyone knows there is a HUGE double standard when it comes to the treatment of republicans and democrats by the media. I bet this won't get any buzz at all whereas I really believe if George Bush would have said the same thing, there would be a huge media backlash. It's just the tired old reality of how things are.

Posted at 9:00AM on Mar 20th 2009 by s

5. If Bush had said this people would be in an absolute uproar! Obama is an idiot.

Posted at 9:00AM on Mar 20th 2009 by dancingnancy

6. Society is getting to "sensitive" over jokes ... hell i tell my husband he rode the "SHORT BUS" to school all the time...ITS A FKN JOKE AMERICA get over it move on. GO OBAMA

Posted at 9:01AM on Mar 20th 2009 by mlp310

7. I think it's time he stop trying to be a celebrity and start trying to be president.

Posted at 1:11AM on Mar 21st 2009 by Factor

8. This country would be a better place to live if people would lighten up and stop looking for things to be offended about.

Posted at 9:02AM on Mar 20th 2009 by Kay

9. Completely inappropriate comment for the President of the United States to make that "joke". He isn't a comedian, he should've never gone there. But, he's Obama and apparently can do no wrong.

Posted at 2:37PM on Mar 20th 2009 by Myself

10. Because Obama can tell a better lie then Bush.

Posted at 9:02AM on Mar 20th 2009 by Brian

11. Obama rode the "short bus" to the white house so it is OK.

Posted at 9:03AM on Mar 20th 2009 by McSmarty

12. As President he has to be very careful with what he says. This shouldn't be a "black or white" issue. What he said was demeaning to people. He should offer an apology to the handicapped and be held accountable for his actions in public. What he jokes about in private is his concern ... but as President he needs to set a higher standard when in the public eye.

Posted at 9:05AM on Mar 20th 2009 by Daytona Girl

13. "Made fun of the handicapped"? Ironic that TMZ is criticizing the Prez for his insensitive comments when TMZ labels people with disabilities as "handicapped."

Anyway, as the President, Obama should have stayed away from such a comment. I'm a rather liberal person, but when I first heard of his comment, I cringed.

Posted at 9:06AM on Mar 20th 2009 by HandiMan

14. Obama was just talking about his wife. Michelle does look like she has special needs...especially in the face department and in the big fat ass department.

Posted at 9:06AM on Mar 20th 2009 by sandwich

15. I Agree that it IS A JOKE... BUT If Bush Would have said it, they would of jumped all over him for it. Obama has done many things that the media and America would Lash out on Bush over. It's a double standard. I'm just Happy that Obama has done sooo much and stuck to all of his promises so far that everyone that worshiped him about to get him where he is... oh wait, Nevermind.

Posted at 9:44AM on Mar 20th 2009 by Lisa

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