Mike Huckabee, the former Republican presidential candidate and poster boy for social conservative causes, makes a truly tasteless joke at the annual convention of the National Rifle Association. After the former Arkansas governor was interrupted by a loud crash backstage, he "joked" the noise was Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama falling "off a chair" as he dodged a "gun" aimed at him.
"That was Barack Obama," Huckabee said to audience laughter. "He just tripped off a chair. He was getting ready to speak and somebody aimed a gun at him, and he dove for the floor," Huckabee told the NRA convention in Louisville, Kentucky, in comments that aired on CNN."
Watch Huckabee's "joke":
The clip was broadcast in the "Strategy Session" of CNN's "The Situation Room" with Wolf Blitzer. "I’m sure the Secret Service wouldn’t be happy with those jokes either," Blitzer said. Both of the strategists present—including Republican Leslie Sanchez—agreed Huckabee's comments were offensive. "Not in good taste. I don't think I would—I'm not going to defend that one," Sanchez remarked.
Democratic front-runner Obama would be the first black U.S. presidential nominee or president. Many people have been concerned about his safety, and, as Rod 2.0 reported in May 2007, after numerous threats on his life, Obama began receiving Secret Service protection. This was "18 months before the general election and the earliest a presidential candidate has received protection."
Huckabee jokes to NRA of gun aimed at Obama [Reuters]
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Don't forget, Huckabee is a RELIGIOUS man.
Posted by: Mel Smith | 17 May 2008 at 10:54
What is intriguing and disturbing to me about this reference is that Huckabee was in a room, nay a hall or an auditorium, of people who immediately got the "joke" and thought it okay to continue.
Wow, privilege is rearing its ugly head so often in this campaign that it's making them think about Toronto.
Thank God for the advances in California and what's to come in NJ (yes, WE ARE NEXT!). Otherwise, I might be an expatriot! I'm just saying!
Posted by: TheRevKev | 17 May 2008 at 12:48
Mel,
I HAD COMPLETELY FORGOTTEN ABOUT that LITTLE DETAIL!
LORD, HAVE MERCY...no, seriously!
Posted by: TheRevKev | 17 May 2008 at 12:49
The fact that someone in his position would make an idiotic slip like that says a lot about the man himself.
In what universe is the attempted assasination of a Presidential candidate fodder for humor? Possibly when you're a good ol' boy and the candidate in black?
Everyone is showing their true colors in this campaign. That's a good thing.
Posted by: Taylor Siluwe | 18 May 2008 at 09:59
Oh people! Just wait as the November election gets closer. We're gonna see a lot of outward hostility. The prospect of a blackpresident is gonna drive some white folks insane!
Posted by: Dluv | 18 May 2008 at 11:38
Now do you call that a Christian? No! No!
Posted by: freeleo | 18 May 2008 at 17:03