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Prez Trips Up With Special Olympics Gaffe

Major flak expected for Tonight Show quip on his clutzy bowling

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Mar 20, 2009 2:34 AM CDT

(Newser) – President Obama is expected to be zinged by critics today after a quip he made about his bad bowling and the Special Olympics during the taping of yesterday's Tonight Show appearance, ABC News reports. "I scored a 129," the president said when Jay Leno asked him if the White House bowling alley was getting any use. "I know, it sounds like the Special Olympics."

"The president made an off-hand remark making fun of his own bowling that was in no way intended to disparage the Special Olympics," said White House deputy press secretary Bill Burton. "He thinks the Special Olympics is a wonderful program that gives an opportunity for people with disabilities from around the world."

[Images (4)]

[Videos (2)]

Barack Obama bowls at Pleasant Valley Recreation Center in Altoona, Pa., last year. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

'I imagine the bowling alley has been just burned and closed down,' Jay Leno quipped to President Obama. (PRNewsFoto/Strike Ten)

Barack Obama shakes hands after bowling at Pleasant Valley Recreation Center in Altoona, Pa., a year ago. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

President Barack Obama talks to Jay Leno yesterday during a 'Tonight Show' taping. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

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Keith Olbermann reports on President Obama's Special Olympics gaffe on the "Tonight Show." (asdf11x)

Other highlights from President Obama's "Tonight Show" appearance. (msnbc)

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Prez Trips Up With Special Olympics Gaffe