Our Neediest Cases

Who would argue that Barack Obama's Special Olympics comment on last night's Leno show was really dumb. We know it and he knows it, issuing a statement from Air Force One on the way back to DC, not because he was pressured into it but because he knew it was the right thing to say. Many people will probably reason that when you say enough things, in and amongst all the words will be a stupid comment or two. Bush got us used to that -- in spades.

But as we know the right wing is on a constant gaffe hunt because if they have to stand on the issues, they don't have much to stand on as the last election proved. As the John Kerry dis the troops incident proved, even if it isn't a gaffe the right wing will try to make it out to be one.

But of course Sykes as usual like a junkie and smack, just can't leave Obama's remark alone. Then Sykes adds a special dollop by citing the sagely Sarah Palin.

The problem is, as John Cook points out, the President is fairly gaffe proofed. To pin the President's poor comment on him so as to make him out as someone who hates mentally challenged people isn't going to wash. This will generate chatter among the right and their media enablers, but for the 80% of the rest of the country the focus will be on the economy.  

Another thing that will play on many minds is that the right has been not too mentally-challenged friendly. Look at where they cut funding when cuts have to be made. Scott Walker's performance when it comes to county mental health services is one example.

Then there is the out of control and aptly named Michael Savage, whose infamous comment that 99% of autistic children are frauds. The was not word one at TMJ for yanking this yahoo off the air.

If you you ask the parent of an autistic child which party is more sympathetic to the needs of their kids, the GOP probably doesn't spring to mind. 

If Barack Obama keeps on putting the mouth in gear before engaging the brain, he will be in trouble.

But don't bet on it.