Sarah Palin's Special Olympics video message, pre-Obama slip

As it happens, not long before President Barack Obama's special Special Olympics gaffe on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" and his jiffy-quick apology, Vice President Joe Biden traveled all the way out to Boise, Idaho, to lend a senior administration presence to the Special Olympics there.

These events are inspiring things to witness, as challenged individuals do the best they possibly can in a variety of athletic events and competitions and enthusiastically celebrate their achievements and participation with cheering family and friends.

As it also happens, that same Special Olympics in Idaho had asked Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin to videotape a special greeting to participants as perhaps America's most famous mother of a special needs child, Trig.

The governor's video below has nothing to do with politics or bowling. But it does provide a brief window into a non-policy, non-political side of someone we may well see back in the national political arena in coming years.

-- Andrew Malcolm

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With a special Hat Tip to Jimmy Orr over at the Monitor's refreshing Vote Blog.

Comments

[Kate]

As the mother of a young adult with Down Syndrome, I was very touched by the Palins' little film. Hearing her talking about her distress when learning Trig would have Down's brought back memories to me - and to all parents of kids with Down's I'm sure.

I didn't vote for McCain & Palin, so I am that much more upset about President Obama's callousness about Special Olympics. It is hard to know what to think of a man who thinks the most vulnerable members of society (and those who must work harder than he ever has to gain a foothold) are the butt of a joke.

[Dave]

OMG she is so weird! Its all about "me. me. me!"

[James Matthews]

Very nice, I hope our president can understand this.

[Paul F. Villarreal]

Thank you, Governor Palin, for reminding us what grace and compassion looks like.

As someone with disabled relatives, I was extremely upset with Obama's statement. To anyone who thinks what he said was funny, tell that to the 30 million disabled Americans, their friends or their loved ones. Obama could have chosen any other comparison to make for his poor bowling skills, but instead he dissed 1/10th of the population of the United States.

If you still don't get it, click on my name and watch the video attached to my link. If you don't get it after that, you don't, in my opinion, have a soul.

Special Olympians need less -- not more -- derision cast their way. Obama's remarks pave the way for more heckling and hassle for the disabled. Because, if the president can put them down, then why can't anyone else?

What I would like to see is at the start of Obama's address before the nation, he take a moment to PERSONALLY apologize to those he offended. Not to a Shriver, but directly to those whom he wronged. Please, Mr. President, show us you are the leader so many believe in and need.

[Greg Jameson]

A pretty stark contrast between Obama's joking put-down of the Special Olympics and Palin's unconditional love for her special needs child, isn't there?

[frank burns]

Since Palin considers any birth defect as a special and wonderful gift from God, I wonder where she thinks the offense lies?

[steve]

Palin = Substance

Obama - Empty suit, living off a teleprompter, devoid of any substance whatsoever, an illusion.

[Angel]

For many different reasons, I think Sarah Palin is one classy lady. This video just showcases one more...

[Anne W.]

Palin purports to be a Christian, but she evidently hasn't heard the part where someone is supposed to be forgiven if they're sorry for what they said/did. Her exploiting of this gaffe for personal and political gain is most unsavory.

[George]

"The governor's video below has nothing to do with politics or bowling. But it does provide a brief window into a non-policy, non-political side of someone we may well see back in the national political arena in coming years."

So you're saying that if she is planning on getting into the national political arena again, that this video wasn't meant to help her image? Of course this video is political! Providing she does run for something.

[PlumHunter]

" ...someone we may well see back in the national political arena in coming years." Please, Sarah, spare the American people the torment of your tortuous intellect - go on an extended hunting trip (I mean for years) across the Alaskan wilderness !!! Thanks very much in anticipation of your trip!

[Mark S.]

Why won't this lady just go away? She doesn't get it. Obama made a tasteless and very unpresidential joke that might have been made by pretty much anyone and he followed it with an apology. He was reprimanded by the press and he should have been. But now it's done and there it should lie. No. Instead she has to parade her newest child like a prop the way she did Bristol - who she forced, along with her idiot teenage hockey player - to declare to the world how they would get married. Well as we know, that was conveniently cancelled and proved to be mere showboating. Thankfully the GOP discovered that divisive stupidity and over-simplification was the heart of their failure so you can expect Palin to go away pretty early in the nomination rounds. Go away Sarah. Stop using your children so politically and tastelessly.

[Mark S.]

My turn to make an apology! This video was created before the gaff. I wholeheartedly apologize.

[steve kindel]

Sarah Palin's comments regarding Special Olympics are endearing, even if you don't think much of her politically. To bad, though, that she didn't remember to thank the Kennedy family, who have made Special Olympics possible. But I guess that's beyond the political pale.

[Dane]

That is very sweet. I realyl like the message that seems to come across, and that message is correct 100% - difference doesn't equal inadequacy or require an entirely different framework for interaction.

However, Palin is still the one with a pregnant daughter, who thinks Gay people are sinning, and wants a beleif system, creation to be on equal footing with evolution. Shes judgemental and ignorant. I don't think she should be in a position of Power and Influence.

Finally, her sincerity with Trigg is in question, does she really put him first? She is 'using' him for good, which is fine, but only if balanced with a sencere one on one treatement that equals what she masquarades on TV - i for one don't feel that sincerity, sadly.

[Ghandi]

Abort it! They can provide no use to society. Only a huge convenience for the family and the American tax payer!

[Good Grief]

She is a hypocrite. She just refused a large portion of stimulus money that would have funded educational programs including those that deal with special needs children. Prior to that, she also vetoed much needed educational funds while approving funds that went to killing wolves from helicopters.

Yet she says she cares about special needs children. Sarah Palin cares for nothing except her own political career.

[Bober]

Whatever. You people are full of hooooie. Obamas "gaffe" was what most men utter on a regualar basis. "Shortbus" people and "Special Olympics" jokes are park of the American male vernacular. That the LA times sees fit to try to brand Obama is the most telling part of All of this. All Obama did was make a funny comment. Why dont you mention that your favorite president, the one who buried us in debt and sullied our reputation across the globe...he established a policy in Texas that gives the thumbs up for executing retarded people. Hmmmm do you have that PSA?

[DontGetIt]

Palin's an ignoramous and a dolt. She doesn't need a "special" label like some people do...

[cynthia]

I love Sarah Palin!
good woman.

[thomas young]

very heart warming
i love Trig
he's so cute,also Piper
Palin is a wonderful person

[Duncan Stuart]

Sarah who?

[greg]

I'm surprised that the LAT would allow you to post this on their site, they seem to be much more comfortable with allowing smears, and lies about Gov. Palin to be posted.

It's refreshing to see someone who isn't always swiveling their head from side to side, reading from a teleprompter like 0bama does. That's why he made his Special Olympics blunder the other day, he didn't have a teleprompter telling him what to say.

[fsteele]

Must we wait a few years? Palin's savvy with finances and ethics is just what we need right now!

The whole US (or world) needs the cleaning she gave to Alaska.

[Denise]

Governor Palin is already a winner.

She will work to protect the most vulnerable among us. She lives this out everyday.

Thankfully this video was done before the president's insensitive comment. So no one can accuse her of playing politics with this special group of citizens.

The video reveals a person who is real - not just a photo op.

[B. Palamaro]

I hope you are correct about Sarah Palin coming back, perhaps in 2012, to run for President. After a little over 2 months of Barck Hussein Obama, I think it's time for someone who is honest, with integrity and who has not been tarnished by Chicago politics, but has the everyday ideals of a regular all around American. Obama's television appearances recently have been deplorable. The fact that he make fun if the Special Olympics and later laughed as he discussed the problems of the economy when so many millions are suffering is disgraceful. If the man had any decency, he'd understand that he has no business being in the White House and he should resign.

[Lady Maple]

What a beautiful statement. Well done Governor Palin!

[John Carpenter]

This is what the left doesn't get about this woman: there's no affectation, no ned for a teleprompter. What you see is what you get.

Obama is all about packaging and sooner rather than later the public wants the steak and not the sizzle.

[Ann Cayse]

Right. Because Sarah Palin is ever so sensitive to individuals with intellectual disabilities. She would never, ever, ever cut funding for special education programs across an entire state for no apparent reason. Yeah, making a thoughtless comment and apologizing before it even aired is much worse than deliberately refusing federal grants for education and social services just to make a statement.

[Melba]

I also have disabled relatives and wasn't offended at all by Obama's statement. I am however offended at how often Palin uses her child for political gain. Blast me all you want but its true.

[EddieGE]

The man is sleep deprived. You would be a little off balance, too. He has the whole nation on his shoulders, trying his best to turn our country's economy around. He has the politically motivated Republicans on campaign mode battling him at every turn, rather than helping to solve our economic problems. On top of that, he has the world relying on him to lead in getting their economies turned around, Oh, don't forget three wars, Ahganistan/Pakistan, Irag, and Mexico/US drug war; plus trying to unite the larger developing countries with the rest of the world; plus trying to bond the Americas. Oh, yeah, he has a wife to keep happy and two little girls to raise, all the same time. Thank God for a president that can multitask.

[adam]

people seem to think that the stimulus money is a gift. its a loan from the federal government that would have to be paid back by the alaskan tax payer. sarah palin is closer to most of us than the rich elitest politicians that cant relate to average america. we need someone in the white house who has walked the walk as a member of an average middle class american family member.

[Alison]

I honestly cannot believe that some of you people are on here making excuses for what Obama said. Regardless of your feelings for Palin or any of that, what he said was completely wrong. Making a "funny joke" (as some of you call it) about someone with a disability is wrong. It's not ok to discriminate against people of different races or the opposite sex .. but it is ok to sit there and make comments about someone who is disabled .. someone who doesn't have the ability to come back and defend themselves and explain why discriminating against them is wrong. That's the difference .. and that's what makes his comments so much worse. Others can defend themselves, but people with disabilities can't.

Every single one of you who sit here and give excuses for Obama should be ashamed of yourselves. I'm sorry that those with special needs aren't locked in basements anymore or hidden away from society out of embarassment, but they aren't and they are people too .. some of the most beautiful people in the entire world as a matter of fact. Maybe if some of you had their mindset (one that loves everyone unconditionally) our world would be a better place instead of one with ignorant jerks such as yourselves. As for our president ... I hope he realizes what an ass he made of himself. For being the first black president of the U.S. you would think he would be a little less discriminatory and stereotypical. Guess he's not what everyone thought he would be ...