BURBANK, Calif. — President Barack Obama told Jay Leno on Thursday that he was stunned when he learned of the bonuses that bailed-out insurance giant AIG was paying employees.
Obama told the “Tonight Show” host the payments raise moral and ethical problems — and vowed again to try to recoup the cash for taxpayers.
“We’re going to do everything we can to get these bonuses back,” he declared.
Leno veered away from politics and into the personal, asking when Obama’s daughters, Sasha and Malia, would get their pet dog.
“This is Washington. That was a campaign promise,” Obama replied to audience laughter. “No, I’m teasing. The dog will be there shortly.”
Leno asked Obama if the White House bowling alley had been replaced yet with a basketball court. Obama said he had been practicing and recently bowled a game of 129.
“It was like Special Olympics, or something,” he said.
Later, deputy press secretary Bill Burton told reporters that the remark “was in no way intended to disparage the Special Olympics. He thinks that the Special Olympics are a wonderful program that gives an opportunity to shine to people with disabilities from around the world.”
