Was John McCain’s Ahmadinejad Monkey Tweet Racist?

The Arizona senator compared the Iranian leader to the monkey launched into space by the country

February 4, 2013 RSS Feed Print

Arizona Sen. John McCain Monday tweeted a joke about Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, which another GOP congressman criticized as racist. McCain compared the leader’s desire to be the first Iranian in space to the monkey the country just sent into space:

View the story "Was John McCain's Ahmadinejad monkey tweet racist?" on StorifyWas John McCain's Ahmadinejad monkey tweet racist?Storified by TMW· Mon, Feb 04 2013 14:13:31So 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.htmlJohn McCainThat tweet prompted the following exchange:
Whoa."@SenJohnMcCain: So Ahmadinejad wants to be first Iranian in space - wasn't he just there last week? "Iran launches monkey into space""Justin AmashRe: Iran space tweet - lighten up folks, can't everyone take a joke?John McCainMaybe you should wisen up & not make racist jokes. "@SenJohnMcCain: Re: Iran space tweet - lighten up folks, can't everyone take a joke?"Justin AmashNot everyone was offended, though. Social media consultant Ed Shazade seemed to think McCain's inflammatory comment wasn't necessarily inappropriate:
.@SenJohnMcCain If you pissed off Gawker hack @max_read and other Ahmedinijad sympathizers, you're doing it right.Ed Shahzade

McCain is known for having a sense of humor, last fall calling for Congressional hearings on the losing streak of Washington Nationals mascot Teddy Roosevelt’s inability to win the baseball team's presidents race. McCain also appeared as himself on the comedy Parks and Recreation.

What do you think? Was John McCain's Ahmadinejad monkey tweet racist? Take the poll and comment below.