I was shocked to learn of the comment made by President Obama about Special Olympics. This was a degrading remark about our world’s most precious and unique people, coming from the most powerful position in the world. These athletes overcome more challenges, discrimination and adversity than most of us ever will. By the way, these athletes can outperform many of us and we should be proud of them. I hope President Obama’s comments do not reflect how he truly feels about the special needs community.

Benjamin Sarlin adds the necessary context about Palin and special needs funding. I’d add that it’s surprising the statement took so long — it missed the news cycle and will be lost over the weekend — and that it doesn’t acknowledge Obama’s immediate apology, instead asking whether the comment reveals how the president “truly feels” about the mentally challenged.

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Laura traces Palin’s history of opposition to abortion and ties it to what has become one of her central messages on the stump: her understanding of children with disabilities, embodied at many of her rallies by her infant son, Trig, who has Down syndrome.

It’s a strong piece on an under-reported topic. Get the rundown here.