Rep. Amash: McCain joke likening Ahmadinejad to monkey 'racist'

Rep. Justin Amash (R-Mich.) blasted Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) over a joke the former Republican presidential nominee made comparing Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to the monkey that Iran reportedly sent into space last week.

On Monday, Ahmadinejad told the Islamic Republic News Agency that he wanted to be the first Iranian astronaut sent into space, saying he was willing to risk his life for the mission. The Iranian president said the country hopes to send an astronaut into space within the next six years.

McCain, playing off that news — and unconfirmed reports that the Iranian government last week sent a monkey into space — cracked a joke at the Iranian leader's expense.

So Ahmadinejad wants to be first Iranian in space - wasn't he just there last week? "Iran launches monkey into space" news.yahoo.com/iran-launches-…

— John McCain (@SenJohnMcCain) February 4, 2013

The reaction was swift, with some Twitter users — including Amash — suggesting the comment was racist.

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

— Justin Amash (@repjustinamash) February 4, 2013

Amash is a second-generation Arab-American. His father, a Palestinian business owner, immigrated to the United States in 1956.

McCain did not appear to regret the comment, however, telling those who complained to "lighten up."

Re: Iran space tweet - lighten up folks, can't everyone take a joke?

— John McCain (@SenJohnMcCain) February 4, 2013

—This post was updated at 12:21 p.m.

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