AMERICAS > McCain tweet on Iran draws criticism

WASHINGTON - The Associated Press

US Senator John McCain takes an earphone during a discussion at the 49th Munich Security Conference. AFP Photo

A leading U.S. Republican senator’s tweet comparing Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to a monkey is drawing criticism from a fellow Republican lawmaker as racist.

On Feb. 4, Sen. John McCain wrote, "So Ahmadinejad wants to be first Iranian in space - wasn’t he just there last week?" He then linked to a news story about Iran launching a monkey into space.

Faced with criticism, McCain said in another tweet, "lighten up folks, can’t everyone take a joke."
That did not satisfy Rep. Justin Amash, who tweeted, "Maybe you should wisen up & not make racist jokes."

During the 2008 presidential campaign, McCain, the Republican candidate, created a stir during an appearance when he repeated "Bomb Iran," to the tune of the Beach Boys song "Barbara Ann."

February/04/2013

PRINTER FRIENDLY

Send to friend »

READER COMMENTS

Click for Hürriyet Daily News comment guidelines

T.C

2/7/2013 4:01:00 AM

@Michael Johson... How long has the U.S of AmeriKA been around for, 4-500 years? Your country is still a baby and will be long gone before any of the countries in the Middle East who have thousands of years of history on yours! Oh and a superpower? Won't be for long my friend... You have another 5yrz, tops! Then you will bow to China! They already own Amerika! Lucky McCain never got any real power like a presidency... Amerika would have been finished if he had ever won!

Michael Johnson

2/5/2013 7:08:22 AM

@Sinan: Non-existent nation eh? Pretty sure your country is NOT a superpower. Get over it and yourself.

K Davis

2/5/2013 5:11:48 AM

It takes one to know one...

mara mcglothin

2/5/2013 3:52:22 AM

YOu guys need to lighten up. SINAN Regardless of what you think of this man. He was the leader of a group of soldiers and when his captives found out that is father was a very important man they offered to allow him to leave and he refused to leave until his men in his command could also leave. He has more nobility in his pinkie than most men. How much character would it take to stay when you could have left? You ever seen the President of Iran?

Jon Goodfellow

2/5/2013 2:33:37 AM

Not racist. Bad taste perhaps, but not racist. And last I looked, US was not a non-existent nation. Its governance is AWOL (Away With Out Leave), most certainly, but the nation is alive and well. He may also have been referring to Ahmadinejad's fraudulent posturings giving the likelihood that the Iranian space monkey junket was an Iranian hoax.

cezer skonore

2/4/2013 11:56:39 PM

Is this a racist joke? He didn't compare Iranians to a monkey. It is an offensive joke to compare any countries' president to a monkey if it is coming from a politician who represents another country, but not necessarily racist. It would be a racist joke if one compares an African-origin person to a monkey because there is a history for that from the slavery times in the Southern States of the US. He should be yelled at for the horrible joke he made, but not for a racist one.

Sinan Osman

2/4/2013 11:04:10 PM

Person from non-existent nation calling a man from maybe Oldest country in the world "monkey"?

< >