Projo 7 to 7 News Blog

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- U.S. Rep. Patrick J. Kennedy -- whose aunt, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, founded the Special Olympics -- said he spoke with his cousin Timothy P. Shriver, who is chairman of the Special Olympics board, this morning about President Obama's comment on the Tonight show.

"The president called him and said he was sorry for the choice of words," Kennedy said.

"But you know, frankly, it's not about the choice of words. It's about understanding the impact that these words have on these families that, as Timmy said, woke up this morning crying at the thought that the president was that insensitive to their children -- and, as Timmy said, his children because all those Special Olympians are his children."

Read Timothy Shriver's full statement.

Kennedy said Shriver was "swamped with e-mails" from "parents who felt the hurt of what it was going to mean to their children to have that message sent to them."

Kennedy, who supported Mr. Obama in his Democratic primary contest against Hillary Clinton, said the president is "like many Americans" who "don't quite get how the nomenclature is important until they see what impact it has on the very people who feel those words and what it means to them."

Kennedy said Mr. Obama "knows full well -- I mean, this is a civil rights issue -- it's people feeling dissed [disrespected]."

Like everybody else, Mr. Obama makes mistakes, and it's good that he apologized, Kennedy said.

"But the best way to apologize is to go to a Special Olympics event and be a 'hugger,' " Kennedy said, referring to volunteers who cheer on Special Olympians, often hugging them at the finish line.

"I think it would be really great if he went to a couple of Special Olympics events. I think it's a really great opportunity, frankly."

-- With reports from Edward Fitzpatrick, Journal political columnist
This morning, Michael McGovern, the executive director of Special Olympics Rhode Island said his phone had been "ringing off the hook" in the wake of the president's comments.

"There are a lot of misconceptions about the athletes and our program, and this time it's happened at the highest level. We're not pleased by them. It does give us an opportunity to try to put a positive spin on the thing," McGovern said.

Your Turn: Are you offended by President Obama's remark about the Special Olympics?

 Tags  Eunice Kennedy Shriver President Obama Providence RI

Comments

helen.bolduc@cox.net said:

Shame on the President I'm a parent of child with special needs and his comment was hurtfull. He says that he is all about change, well he is saying the same things that people have said in the past about their misconceptions with people with disabilities that participate with Special Olympics.

Link | March 20, 2009 6:06 PM
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jake said:

Everyone gets foot in mouth disease once in a while. Obama apologized, that's all that's necessary.

It's bizarre to see Patrick Kennedy complaining about this. At least Obama has never endangered anyone's life with DUIs.

Link | March 20, 2009 10:59 PM
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Bert in RI said:

Oh, come on, Representative. I didn't appreciate the President's comment. but "it's a civil rights issue"?! People need to take a deep breath and save the outrage for the real outrageousness going on in America.

How fast did the fastest Special Olympian run the hundred? And how fast did Usain Bolt run the hundred?

Let's be honest. Consider the facts. Special Olympians are worth admiring and cherishing, but they don't perform as impressively as Olympians. That's part of the point of the Special Olympics!

I hate that everyone wants to get his/her soundbite.

Link | March 21, 2009 6:47 AM
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Robin said:

I am not a person with 'special needs' I am a citizen and a taxpayer, just like the temporarily without disabilities. I resented the present's patronizing attitud towards our athletic competion.

Link | March 21, 2009 4:12 PM
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Seba said:

He was just joking, people. He wasn't trying to hurt anyone. Honestly, teach your kids to develop some tougher skin if you think that comment would hurt them. What they hear out in the world is so much more hurtful than to equate a bad bowling game to a sporting event that probably has participants in it that don't bowl very well, in general.

Link | March 22, 2009 12:43 PM
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