Mike Huckabee Jokes About Someone Aiming a Gun at Barack Obama
by Latoya Peterson
The New York Times Caucus Blog writes:
Known for his humor on the campaign trail, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee raised some eyebrows with his latest improvisation, which imagined a gun pointed at Senator Barack Obama of Illinois.
When his speech to the National Rifle Association was interrupted by a loud noise from backstage, Mr. Huckabee quipped, “That was Barack Obama. He just tripped off a chair. He’s getting ready to speak and somebody aimed a gun at him and he — he dove for the floor.”
Though the audience laughed at the first part of the joke about Mr. Obama falling off the chair, the gun comment the former Republican presidential contender drew a few murmurs.
The blog was later updated when Huckabee apologized his comments:
During my speech at the N.R.A., a loud noise backstage, that sounded like a chair falling, distracted the crowd and interrupted my speech. I made an off hand remark that was in no way intended to offend or disparage Sen. Obama.
I apologize that my comments were offensive. That was never my intention.”
So, I see they’ve started warming up for the attacks…
(Thanks to Jasmine and Ananser for sending this in!)
Carmen Van Kerckhove is co-founder and president of
Jus Plain Ol Me wrote:
I respect Huckabee’s past comments wherein he said that Americans need to understand that some Blacks may have a chip on their shoulder because they were treated like scum during the civil rights movement (and at times before the movement). He also said that he would probably hold a bigger grudge if it had happened to him.
I am not pro-Huckabee and I don’t (AT ALL) think his comment was proper. I think it was one of those, “let me try something impromptu that may be funny” and it fell VERY flat.
I’m not sure I think it’s racist. If Hillary (or even John Edwards) were the leading candidate for the Democrats, I think he would have inserted their name into the blank. I think it’s just a poor attempt at a joke as opposed to a racist comment.
Just my take.
Posted 20 May 2008 at 1:10 pm ¶
Sarah wrote:
Lovely joke, there, Huckabee. Jokes about assassination attempts (which are a very real threat to Obama, even now) are so *very* funny. (insert sarcastic laughter here)
Posted 20 May 2008 at 1:20 pm ¶
Lyonside wrote:
> I think it’s just a poor attempt at a joke as opposed to a racist comment.
I’d be willing to believe that…
If Bobby Kennedy (liberal pro-civil rights pres candidate) and MLK hadn’t been SHOT.
If the speaker in question was not the former governor of ARKANSAS (if he doesn’t recognize the history of state-sanctioned racism and violence, some of which happened in his own state, he has more problems than a flawed sense of humor).
If one of the biggest fears of many people in the US is that Sen. Obama would be targeted.
If Sen. Obama wasn’t the first potential pres candidate this season to get a SECRET SERVICE DETAIL, way before Iowa (so obviously, someone else in power is thinking along the same lines).
You don’t have to be burning a cross to be racist. Similarly, you don’t have to deliberately be thinking, “Hey, what’s the most threatening comment I can make and still pass it off as a joke later?” to make a comment that is entrenched in bias and privilege.
Posted 20 May 2008 at 1:28 pm ¶
Tony wrote:
If this had come out of someone elses mouth I’d probably scream racism.
But since Huckabee has made some good anti-racist comments when he could have easily jumped on the bandwagon, I give him the benefit of the doubt.
He would have made the same joke about ANY democrat of any color or gender that was most likely to become the nominee.
Now, that’s not exactly BETTER, but atleast it’s not racist, just partyist.
Posted 20 May 2008 at 1:59 pm ¶
london wrote:
subliminally it sends a message to certain people..
this is not a laughing matter at all…
Posted 20 May 2008 at 2:18 pm ¶
Treacle wrote:
People can be racist without intending to be racist.
Intentionality is irrelevant here.
Posted 20 May 2008 at 2:32 pm ¶
Tiffany wrote:
“People can be racist without intending to be racist.
Intentionality is irrelevant here.”
Thank you
He’s comment was clearly racist…
Posted 20 May 2008 at 2:49 pm ¶
Philly Phil wrote:
“people can be racist without intending to be racist” should probably read more like “people can be perceived as racist without intending to be racist”
or something along those lines…
his comment was clearly not racist. just stupid and tasteless.
Posted 20 May 2008 at 3:11 pm ¶
Treacle wrote:
To Philly Phil,
I’m quite literate, thank you.
I meant exactly what I typed.
People can be racist without intending to be racist.
Posted 20 May 2008 at 3:19 pm ¶
chrissy wrote:
I hate Mike Huckabee ( or fuckabee as he is known around my house). If he’s McCain’s veep nominee I will do everything in my power to keep them out of the White House. After I stop vomiting that is.
Posted 20 May 2008 at 3:21 pm ¶
Philly Phil wrote:
treacle,
so by that rational, huckabee is now considered a racist?
sorry, t. I just don’t understand how the last half of a flat and shitty joke– one that didn’t even get a chuckle in a room FILLED with NRA members of all people –now qualifies him as a racist?
can you elaborate?
Posted 20 May 2008 at 3:28 pm ¶
Latoya Peterson wrote:
saying something racist =/= Klan Membership and an open bottle of lighter fluid.
That being said, I think Huck was trying to make an NRA joke and it took a few seconds to dawn on him that it was not a good look. (Notice the report saying the laughter turned to murmurs.) Also, see quickly issued apology statement.
Posted 20 May 2008 at 3:32 pm ¶
Philly Phil wrote:
and i bet those murmurs were akin to “oh shit! racialicious’ gonna get on our asses about this…”
Posted 20 May 2008 at 3:39 pm ¶
Treacle wrote:
You’re reading into what I said.
As of right now, I’m undecided about if his comment was racist or not. I know that racism is an institutional phenomena which extends beyond individual level interactions and into the very social fabric of society.
Therefore, I believe that attempting to understand Huckabee’s comment outside the context of history (both his personal history, that of his state, and Obama’s recent history, i.e. the threats against his life) is problematic.
My comment was made primarily in response to Tony’s who said that because Huckabee has made previously anti-racist statements before his current statement couldn’t possibly be racist.
I disagree with that argument.
People can be racist without intending to be. Quite frankly, that’s how most racism is perpetuated today. ..without intent.
Posted 20 May 2008 at 3:50 pm ¶
Latoya Peterson wrote:
@ Treacle – whoops, didn’t mean you. I forgot to put @ Philly Phil before I posted. First part of the comment was directed toward him.
Posted 20 May 2008 at 3:52 pm ¶
Ron wrote:
I didn’t intend to club you in the head, the problem is that you’re just thin skulled.
Posted 20 May 2008 at 3:53 pm ¶
Treacle wrote:
Apologies. My comment was directed to Philly Phil.
I’ll be more clear about that next time.
Posted 20 May 2008 at 3:54 pm ¶
Philly Phil wrote:
treacle,
ahh… thanks for the explanation.
Posted 20 May 2008 at 4:05 pm ¶
Tony wrote:
Treacle:
My comemnt was not meant as “He said non-racist things before, so he can’t be racist”
Note I didn’t say he couldn’t be racist, I said I’d be willing to give him the benefit of the doubt.
It was meant more as a “We shouldn’t automatically assume racism in those who have gone out of their way to defend easy targets of racism. Especially when the supposedly racist comments have other (non racist) implications”
I then mentioned the other implications
(How the NRA crowd would likely be willing to take a shot at any liberal politician, especially one with a decent shot at becoming president.)
Posted 20 May 2008 at 4:14 pm ¶
lowercase tasha wrote:
@Lyonside
Well, we could entertain a lot of conspiracy theories, but the only person out of the JFK/RFK/MLK group, that we know for certain was killed over civil rights was Dr. King. As it stands, and perhaps, it could all be an elaborate conspiracy, Bobby Kennedy was assassinated by a disgruntled Palestinian, or so we’ve been lead to believe. Anyway, Obama is not of that generation, nor was he privy to that struggle. Rather, he is a beneficiary of it, as are we.
Look, what I’m about to say is for all the gun toting racists, the ambitious sociopaths looking to catch the eye of famous actresses, the relatives of Cherie Blair (yup, she’s a direct descendant of John Wilkes Booth) looking to revive the family name, and anyone else I might have missed. If you’re out there, and you read this blog, then as a realist, I feel compelled to tell you that there are several really practical reasons not to kill Obama, besides the obvious (murder is illegal/ his family and friends would miss him/etc)
Reason #1: Killing RFK and MLK, Malcolm X, Medgar Evars and the whole lot didn’t deter the onslaught of civil rights. They died, and it happened anyway.
Reason #2 : Save your ammo; he’s not worth martyrdom. The only noticeable change that Obama will likely bring to the white house is his skin color. So, calm down. Plus, if his campaign advisory staff is of any indication, there will be plenty of white people around telling him what to do.
Reason #3: If you’re as tired of the “Saint Obama” rhetoric as I am, and you kill him, what do you think is going to happen . . . that’s right, we’ll never hear the end of it. So for the love of God, please don’t assassinate Barack Obama!
Posted 20 May 2008 at 8:05 pm ¶
Free wrote:
I’m not sure what to think about what this “joke” because Mike Huckabee came to Jeremiah Wrights defense on MSNBC. Was this a Freudian slip? A not-well-thought out attempt at humor? I am not a fan of his politics or religious beliefs, but with his honest and thoughtful defense of Rev. Wright (and the only conservative to do so), I am giving him the benefit-of-the-doubt while not excusing him.
HUCKABEE: As easy as it is for those of us who are white to look back and say that’s a terrible statement. I grew up in a very segregated south and I think you have to cut some slack, and I’m going to be probably the only conservative in America whose gonna say something like this but I’m just gonna tell you, we got to cut some slack to people who grew up being called names, being told you have to sit in the balcony when you go to the movie, you have to go to back door to enter their restaurant, and you can’t sit out there with everyone else, there’s a seperate waiting room in the doctor’s office. Here’s where you sit on the bus and you know what, sometimes people do have a chip on their shoulder and resentment and you just have to say …
MSNBC COMMENTATOR: It’s a true experince …
HUCKABEE: … I probably would too, I probably would too and in fact I may have had more of a chip on my shoulder had it been me.
Transcribed from:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=ZNwMPNxwHmQ
Posted 21 May 2008 at 6:20 am ¶
Jus Plain Ol Me wrote:
@ Lyonside:
RE: MLK and Bobby Kennedy being shot.
I assume your focus is really on the fact that those persons were killed. Ronald Reagan was shot as well, and he was the president.
RE: “if he doesn’t recognize the history of state-sanctioned racism and violence, some of which happened in his own state, he has more problems than a flawed sense of humor”
That goes directly to my point regarding his past comments wherein he stated that black people have a right to be upset about the way they were treated in this country. He went on the say that he probably wouldn’t have handled such a situation as well as blacks did.
RE: “comment that is entrenched in bias and privilege.”
It can be entrenched in bias (republican vs. democrat) and privilege (I can tell a bad joke without worrying about ramifications) without it being racist.
Posted 21 May 2008 at 8:37 am ¶
lowercase tasha wrote:
@Lysonside
Oh yes, I know Reagan was shot, which is why I alluded to John Hinckley Jr. earlier when I said “ambitious sociopaths looking to catch the eye of famous actresses.” All I’m saying is that there were quite a few motives to kill RFK that had nothing to do with his being pro-civil rights at all. Hasn’t it been suspected or perhaps even proven that there were several CIA operatives at the Ambassador Hotel when Bobby was shot? What were they doing there? They didn’t have jurisdiction to operate domestically. Jack made a lot of enemies in Central Intelligence after “Bay of Pigs.” Could the CIA been in cahoots with arms dealers/defense contractors getting fat off the Vietnam war and saw Bobby’s potential election as President as a threat to the war’s continuation? If you believe, as I do, that Lee Harvey Oswald didn’t act alone when assassinating JFK, then it’s not too much of stretch to believe that the same people that wanted Jack dead would want have wanted Bobby dead too. Had Teddy Kennedy’s Presidential candidacy not been derailed by Chappaquiddick and the Iranian hostage crisis, he might very well have suffered the same fate as his deceased brothers. It’s not always about race.
Posted 21 May 2008 at 11:53 am ¶
lowercase tasha wrote:
Oh, I’m sorry, that was for Jus Plain Ol Me
Posted 21 May 2008 at 11:54 am ¶
Yvette wrote:
It can be entrenched in bias (republican vs. democrat) and privilege (I can tell a bad joke without worrying about ramifications) without it being racist.
I cannot in any honesty say that I believe that he would have made this “joke” about HRC or Edwards, even if they were front runners at the time. If that is the case, we are right in questioning the racial motivations that such a statement revealed about him or about hs assumptions about the racially-based motivations of his audience.
Additionally, I frequently wonder in situations like this why so much time is spent defending the intentions and characters of those making offending statements, instead of addressing the harms that such statements can create. Apologies do not necessarily negate harms (just as past “good” behavior is no innoculation for present or future “bad” actions).
Having said that, I do find his particular apology distinct from other recent ones–
I apologize that my comments were offensive
–the key being the word “that” instead of the “if” found in many “non-apology apologies.”
Posted 21 May 2008 at 11:54 am ¶
David Anderson wrote:
It’s interesting that the people most upset about the Huckabee wisecrack are the Romney supporters. They will seize on any little slip to make a Federal case. In fact, Huckabee and Obama spoke to each other afterwards, and Obama told him it was no big deal, don’t worry about it. Those who continue to harp on it are just using it to pursue their own agendas, usually promoting Romney. It won’t work.
Posted 21 May 2008 at 8:29 pm ¶
Carmen Armstrong wrote:
Mike Huckabee is a racist! How dare he make such a hateful comment about Obama. I am emailing his video to everyone I know so they know what a hateful comment he made. If Obama made this comment it would be all over the news, but I feel like this is being swept under the rug. This is just confirmation that we have a long way to go when dealing with racism.
Posted 22 May 2008 at 10:38 am ¶
Lyonside wrote:
>In fact, Huckabee and Obama spoke to each other afterwards, and Obama told him it was no big deal, don’t worry about it.
David Anderson – I’m no Romney supporter, and I find the comment offensive. I actually DON’T CARE if Sen. Obama told him “don’t worry about it,” or whatever Huckabee claims was said. This is along the lines of “I have black friends and they think it’s funny too.”
Public statement = public reaction. That’s the way freedom of expression works.
Posted 22 May 2008 at 11:07 am ¶
Joseph wrote:
Yeah, when you can manage to make an NRA audience gasp at a joke about guns then you know you have effed up.
I am no kind of Huckabee fan but my first reaction after seeing this clip was: sometimes an idea is in the air and it slips out of someones mouth before they even know what they are saying. I am not making an argument that Huckabee is not a racist–I can’t possibly know his heart–but I am saying that the elephant in the room as Obama gets closer and closer to the Presidency is–”I bet someone is going to try and take him out.”
I’ve thought it. Haven’t you?
I’m just glad I wasn’t in front of a microphone when I did.
Posted 22 May 2008 at 5:18 pm ¶