McCain calls Iran's president a monkey, tells people to "lighten up"

It's not a lot to ask - Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., just wants everyone to "lighten up" and enjoy his joke about Iran's president being a monkey.

Responding to reports that Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is ready and willing to suit up his astronaut gear to help his country reach its goal of achieving a manned space flight, the notoriously candid McCain wrote on Twitter this morning:

"@SenJohnMcCain So Ahmadinejad wants to be first Iranian in space - wasn't he just there last week? 'Iran launches monkey into space' http://news.yahoo.com/iran-launches-monkey-space-showing-missile-progress-003037176.html"

• State Dept.: Iranian space monkey launch unconfirmed
• Iran President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad says he wants to be country's 1st astronaut
• McCain jokes about "waterboarding" Kerry at confirmation hearing

Having evidently faced some backlash for his shot at the leader of a nation testing long-range ballistic missiles with very sad-looking animals, McCain later followed up on the social media site: "@SenJohnMcCain Re: Iran space tweet - lighten up folks, can't everyone take a joke?"

But despite the plea, McCain-the-cutup isn't making any friends with his material, even on the right. Rep. Justin Amash, R-Mich. - an Arab-American - responded on Twitter.

"@repjustinamash Maybe you should wisen up & not make racist jokes. @SenJohnMcCain: Re: Iran space tweet - lighten up folks, can't everyone take a joke?"

For the record, it's not McCain's first stab at comedy: Two weeks ago, he made a crack about "waterboarding" Secretary of State John Kerry in his Senate confirmation hearing.

[Edohiguma]

It's not racist. It's like calling Hitler a monkey, or Little Benito, or Tojo. But ultimately it's an insult to monkeys. Monkeys are smarter than Ackmydinnerjacket and the average mullah.

[Justintime2say]

Anyone else recall McCain's rendition of... "Bomb, bomb Iran... Bomb, bomb, Iran..." The guy is not a fan of Iran and is entitled to his opinion. The things Ahmadinejad says about Israel and the U.S. are much, much less statesmen-like. And if he can't take it, he shouldn't dish it out. And if Ahmadinejad isn't up in arms, the political correctness zealots in our humorless nation need to zip it and find some other non-issue to blow out of proportion.

[SJames6621]

one of the few places where I agree with conservatives. Hopefuly there is enough background info to insure beyond a reasonable doubt that the american or whoever is guilty as charged.

All this crap i again a product of fauxRush media for Obama is now a double horror to much of the racist repub southern bible belt constituency A black president who supports equality for gay people.

[Barry-been-inhalin]

It could have been worse and referred to him as "that one". LOL

[erzkarlaspern]

How Absurd that this Arab-American is calling McCain a "racist" for calling Ahmadinajad a "monkey". Is it racist to call a white Iranian a monkey? If Amash thinks that the Iranians are Arabs, he is really Ignorant. They are Not Arabs. They have their own language and ancient culture. Ahmadinajad is a terrorist idiot who proposed to wipe Israel off the map. I back the Palestinians in their right to statehood, but Amash is being ridiculous as well as ignorant. As someone here said, this is actually an offense to monkeys!

[gerryrigger]

Machmoud responds: "I kill you!!!"

[pasogal1]

John McCain needs to really think about how his words sound before he makes such weird comments. I've noteiced when there is criticism of McCain, he likes to say - It was just a "joke"... Ahmadinejad's politics are distasteful, but McCain's name calling serves no purpose. State your policy differenes and disagree, but name calling is childish and juvenile. I question McCain's judgment. He seems to be have problems expressing himeself without looking like he is having a temper tantrum.

[erzkarlaspern]

It was a joke and on Twitter, not an official statement in the Senate or to the Press. Truly, "lighten up".

[SJames6621]

the joke later or call it the appology.

The psych term is 'the bad is more powerful then the good"

Done lots of times - outrageous things, then after the damage is done and the news cycle has gone elsewhere they appologize .

knowing darn well that the hate / stupidity is entranced into many minds and few even know of the appology. Oldest trick in the book.

[bikeboat]

Used to think McCain was a smart independent minded guy. But now I realize he's just getting senile and spouting off now and then like the senile will do.

[gmh45069]

John has always called it the way he see's it.
The rest of you liberal sheep need someone to give you your opinion.

Wake-up Sheeple!!

[americanguy1234]

so lets get this straight obama makes it legal to have drone strikes on american citizens everyone is cool beans with this and mcain calls a monkey a monkey and hes chastized keep drinking that purple drank america LOL

[sweetcakesmaria]

Americans who denounce their American citizenship, moves to a foreign country, align themselves with Al Qaeda and spouts Al Qaeda's threats of violence towards Americans Citizens worldwide are an enemy of this country and its citizens and should be taken out by any means necessary. Credos to out Government for doing what's necessary to protect this country and its citizens from terrorist attacks even though there are some pretending not to get it simply because that's the policy of the hated Obama.

[sweetcakesmaria]

Denounce or Renounce whatever!