Americans are being challenged to consider their use of `` R-word '' or `` retard '' Attention comes just before campaign : Spread the Word to End the Word . The comment during the taping of the show prompted Obama to pick up the phone on Air Force One and call Special Olympics Chairman Timothy Shriver to preemptively apologize for the remark before it hit television screens . Obama 's Tonight Show gig included off-the-cuff reference to Special Olympics . Comment:
Americans are being challenged to consider their use of `` R-word '' or `` retard '' Attention comes just before campaign : Spread the Word to End the Word . Obama 's Tonight Show gig included off-the-cuff reference to Special Olympics . Comment: