Huckabee jokes at NRA conference about someone trying to shoot Obama; Update: Painfully awkward video added; Update: Huckabee apologizes
posted at 3:59 pm on May 16, 2008 by Allahpundit
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Stupid, and doubtless to receive plenty of attention since it’s useful to so many groups. The left will use it as a Larger Truth about the NRA; the media will use it to find some racial subtext that isn’t actually there; and righteous conservative bloggers will use it to gently suggest that perhaps Huck isn’t VP material.
Way to help gun owners shed those stereotypes of being reckless and/or deranged, though.
During a speech before the National Rifle Association convention Friday afternoon in Louisville, Kentucky, former Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee — who has endorsed presumptive GOP nominee John McCain — joked that an unexpected offstage noise was Democrat Barack Obama looking to avoid a gunman.
“That was Barack Obama, he just tripped off a chair, he’s getting ready to speak,” said the former Arkansas governor, to audience laughter. “Somebody aimed a gun at him and he dove for the floor.”
Melodramatic exit question from the comments to the CNN post: “Is this a man of God?”
Update: Headlines comments imported.
Update: Well, this makes things nice and easy for Russert, at least.
Update: It comes at around the halfway point. The silence is excruciating. Click the image to watch.
Update: Huck makes amends:
“I made an off hand remark that was in no way intended to offend or disparage Sen. Obama,” the statement said. “I apologize that my comments were offensive. That was never my intention.”
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Careful, your absurd spin is showing.
Slublog on May 16, 2008 at 4:52 PM
I just watched the video.
Huckabee would have done much better to have just ignored the sound off stage rather than toss out an impromptu (not scripted) joke. Huckabee was not advocating the assassination of Obama, he was making a joke, at the NRA, about a man who wants to take guns away their guns.
Would I have made the same joke? No way. Do I endorse this joke? No. Especially because I still think that Hillary wants to “Vince Foster” Barack Obama, and if that happens, Huckabee just helped Hillary Clinton blame it on the “Vast Right-Wing Conspiracy”.
It’s no surprise that “Sweetie”’s campaign will run with this…BO can be forgiven for his gaff, but Huckabee? Never!
The Huck hatred is out in full bloom here, but subdue your hatred long enough to listen to the full 2 minutes of Huckabee’s prepared remarks in the video above. For a “fair and balanced” viewer, you’ll realize that what Huckabee advocates is the exact OPPOSITE of “Nanny State”.
Now, that said, I’ve been trying to cut back on my Hot Air addiction…and the moment I step away and do more “real work”, I come back to find people slamming me and saying things like, “Yeah, where are the Huck apologists?”
Red Pill on May 16, 2008 at 4:53 PM
To be honored with the highest office of the land, you do need a healthy sense of humor, but must always maintain a professional demeanor. Huck showed once again he is more interested in the punch line then respect.
I am so glad everyone at the NRA hearing the speech gave a negative reaction, because it would of been worse if they clapped or laughed at that inappropriate joke.
It is too bad, because the rest of the speech was good stuff.
Conservative Voice on May 16, 2008 at 4:55 PM
yeahhhhh….i wont be watching that clip.
treyevans on May 16, 2008 at 4:55 PM
Would you mind if somebody joked about your child being shot?
It is not funny under any circumstances and if you were honarable you would admit that. You can still like Huckabee but you do not have to pat him on the back for making a serious mistake.
But make no mistake, he just killed his political future because the Dems will play it over and over and over if Huck rears his head in politics again.
EJDolbow on May 16, 2008 at 4:55 PM
True, Huckabee is good on gun rights. Too bad he had to attempt the funny and make himself the headline of the NRA convention.
Slublog on May 16, 2008 at 4:58 PM
RushBaby on May 16, 2008 at 4:58 PM
No, but you and the other mindless Huckabots have reminded us in very clear terms that to insult the wonderful character of the almighty Huckabee (pbuh) is an insult to all Christianity and makes one a “phony” Christian.
Hollowpoint on May 16, 2008 at 4:58 PM
Huckabee was governor of Arkansas for a decade. It never occured to him to “act” like a Conservative then so why should anybody believe what he says now?
He has a record and it ain’t pretty.
EJDolbow on May 16, 2008 at 4:58 PM
Yes it is. In fact there have been countless gags in countless movies involving people getting shot that I and countless others have laughed at. Here’s one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4DzcOCyHDqc
Darth Executor on May 16, 2008 at 4:59 PM
Simply not acceptable.
This is not a responsible gun owner. This is a mutt who thinks that we think that guns are funny.
pabarge on May 16, 2008 at 5:00 PM
Bingo.
Red Pill on May 16, 2008 at 5:00 PM
Reap what you sow, duder.
Hollowpoint on May 16, 2008 at 5:01 PM
Thank God this doofus just took himself out of the running for VP.
Lynn2008 on May 16, 2008 at 5:03 PM
Am I the first to call the man an asshat? Gosh, I hope so.
thegreatbeast on May 16, 2008 at 5:03 PM
Ok so the guy who wants to take away our guns gets a gun pointed at him at an NRA convention.
What would YOU do if Ubama won and sent goons to take away YOUR guns?
Would it be just to defend your family against an oppressive dictatorship?
If the founding fathers had lost the war, they would have been hung for treason.
SaintOlaf on May 16, 2008 at 5:04 PM
This isn’t a movie.
amerpundit on May 16, 2008 at 5:04 PM
Huckabee swiftboated himself.
Rove, you magnificent bastard!
omnipotent on May 16, 2008 at 5:05 PM
So? The person I responded to said it’s NEVER funny. It is. It’s not like somebody really did try to shoot Obama. It’s not like Obama actually even got shot in the joke. A joke is fiction, just like a movie. Get over it.
Darth Executor on May 16, 2008 at 5:06 PM
Huh?
RushBaby on May 16, 2008 at 5:06 PM
Not funny at all, and absolutely tone deaf. Who would know better than NRA conventioneers that you don’t point a gun at somebody unless you intend to shoot them? What a dumbass.
Off-topic: is it just me, or does it look like Huck’s about due to get his stomach stapled again?
ReubenJCogburn on May 16, 2008 at 5:07 PM
Good news: Huck won’t be McCain’s VP!
daryl_herbert on May 16, 2008 at 5:07 PM
So when people “joke” about shooting or attempting to shoot the president, we should all laugh our asses off, right? I mean, that could be funny in some movie and they didn’t actually do it.
amerpundit on May 16, 2008 at 5:09 PM
Except that Huckabee didn’t joke about Obama “getting shot”. That’s the distortion that you (and the Democrats) read into it.
Red Pill on May 16, 2008 at 5:09 PM
If it helps any, I miss you when you are gone. I hope you stay around till at least the day after the November elections, so we can chat.
a capella on May 16, 2008 at 5:09 PM
He is just soooo stupid. He’s good on gun rights, but he’s still stupid. Thank GOD, he is not our candidate…and that is saying a lot seeing as McCain is.
ihasurnominashun on May 16, 2008 at 5:10 PM
Smiling idiot strikes again!
Theworldisnotenough on May 16, 2008 at 5:10 PM
Ouch!
In other words, huckleberry spells STUPID in big letters from here Denver.
Real Christian of ya, dipstick.
locomotivebreath1901 on May 16, 2008 at 5:11 PM
Attaboy, Christian Candidate.
Show that true spirit of Republican tolerance.
What a total maroon.
Always Right on May 16, 2008 at 5:12 PM
The joke was not about Obama “being shot”.
Red Pill on May 16, 2008 at 5:12 PM
How did you - st o - ever get the idea that anyone on this thread wants to have guns taken away? I think you’re living in an alternate universe or your flipping between daily kos and hotair. No one wants that! What we (at least me) don’t want is jokes about anyone being shot. It shows extremely poor judgement and poor taste.
Again, thank you God!
Bambi on May 16, 2008 at 5:13 PM
Speaking as a gun-nut who doesn’t like Obama at all, I found no mirth whatsoever in this very feeble attempt at humor.
Sit down and shut up, %&@#-up-abee! Lest you become the Reverend Wright of the GOP.
Speaking of which, I’ve always maintained that John Edwards is the Dan Quayle of the Democratic Party.
ynot4tony2 on May 16, 2008 at 5:13 PM
True. It was a joke, in the middle of a speech about what responsible gun owners the NRA is, about someone pointing a gun at a secret-service-protected candidate for POTUS.
Course, when he was taking aim at Romney, he himself fired over the heads of the press corps (a most non-responsible act for an advocate of responsible gun use).
Huckabee is a menace.
sulla on May 16, 2008 at 5:14 PM
HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you dear Lord Jesus for smiting the evil Luciferian Mike Huckabee.
HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HAHA HA HA HA HA!!!!
Hey Pink Pill, Hey Satan Olaf, any more scriptures you care to quote out of context for us??
HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!!!!!
To all of you Huckster loons, allow me to quote the dude from There Will Be Blood in the scene where he is at the restaurant/bar talking to the Union Oil guys:
“And now you feel like a fool dont you, thats right…you feel like a fool”
(Roger Waters picks up a shot glass from the table, downs it, slams the glass back on the table and walks away happy, satisfied, content that he has been proven CORRECT!!)
HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!!!!!!!
Roger Waters on May 16, 2008 at 5:14 PM
Huckabee’s followers will discredit any political capital that evangelicals still have left. It’s a huge mistake, and if he cared anything about Christianity, or conservatism, he would shut up before he ruins it.
So he’s going to ruin that. Further down the road, evangelicals aren’t going to help the GOP or conservatives later if he’s ruined it. So congratulations Huck, you might screw us all!
John_Locke on May 16, 2008 at 5:17 PM
Never underestimate Huck….this will undoubtedly pay off big in the general election.
Huck WILL be VP and this will generate huge headlines…unfortunately for the bolshevik media…Huck’s getting his message (that Ubama is a gun grabbing extremist) out to a wide audience and for free to boot.
This,like the fact that Huck is a creationist and was a pastor, will backfire against the bolshevik media when they try to use it against him.
Not to mention all the free airtime he will get explaining this away.
SaintOlaf on May 16, 2008 at 5:17 PM
Please let this be absolutely enough to remove Huckabee from possibly getting the VP nod.
Pleeeeeeease….
ChePibe on May 16, 2008 at 5:19 PM
CUL8R folks, got plans tonight.
Red Pill on May 16, 2008 at 5:19 PM
The cardinal rule of guns and gun owners….
Always assume the gun is loaded
The cardinal rule of politics…
Always assume your mouth is loaded
Huck, meet your macaca moment. See ya.
Limerick on May 16, 2008 at 5:20 PM
+1
sulla on May 16, 2008 at 5:20 PM
What a tard!
Step away from the mic you redneck bible thumping moron!!!!
I knew this guy was bad cess the minute I first heard him.
TheSitRep on May 16, 2008 at 5:21 PM
But it’s still ok to wish for Cheny to shoot Bush? The Liberals think that’s funny.
hadsil on May 16, 2008 at 5:23 PM
You’re trying to justify the assassination of Obama should he get elected President and pass an anti-gun bill? Or are you saying you’d do so yourself?
Hollowpoint on May 16, 2008 at 5:23 PM
I think we just closed the thread from earlier this week. There will be no McCain/Huckabee 08.
DFCtomm on May 16, 2008 at 5:24 PM
Tough room. “Duder” got thrown out there. lol
Anyway, I think what Huck meant to say was “someone showed him a gun”…cause what he said was a total gaffe. So, If I were Obama I’d play it cool. Obama has conceded plenty of his own gaffes. If I were his political advisor I’d tell him to use it as an opportunity to highlight his own position (pdf) on guns to gun owners instead of them just hearing someone like Sean Hannity’s spin on it.
But that’s just me.
ChenZhen on May 16, 2008 at 5:24 PM
Not funny.
coleporter on May 16, 2008 at 5:25 PM
What? Let’s dial down the paranoid revoution fantasies a bit, shall we?
Slublog on May 16, 2008 at 5:26 PM
Here’s Ace’s take on it.
sulla on May 16, 2008 at 5:26 PM
Ban this (St.Oaf) fool and exile him back to dKos where vermin like him belong.
omnipotent on May 16, 2008 at 5:27 PM
Only Mike Huckabee could call Hussein Ubama a cowardly,gun grabbing, extremist, dictator and get it broadcast all over the liberal media!
Not only will he live to explain it but he’ll actually continue to be liked by democrats.
SaintOlaf on May 16, 2008 at 5:27 PM
Put down the crack pipe and slowly walk away………
omnipotent on May 16, 2008 at 5:28 PM
Good grief. You’re about one step away from creating a “Yes we can” style worship video for Huckabee.
Slublog on May 16, 2008 at 5:28 PM
I have no doubt that this was some kind of flubbed joke. That doesn’t matter one teensy-tiny bit, at least not this year, or next. He might be able to work his way out by 2012 but any hope he had of a ticket or cabinet spot just went down range.
Limerick on May 16, 2008 at 5:31 PM
I heard people laughing.
Not something to say as a prepared joke. But on the fly? It’s all about understanding the pathos. And the pathos at an NRA convention likes a little gun humor, especially at the expense of someone who is bigoted against them and wants to take their guns away from them.
VolMagic on May 16, 2008 at 5:36 PM
Shorter StOlaf: Look! Over there! Mohammedans!
DrSteve on May 16, 2008 at 5:36 PM
“It’s a joke… It’s a …Joke…. ok, it’s , uh, like a joke, but not funny… no really… Hey, I got a million of ‘em!
max1 on May 16, 2008 at 5:40 PM
It’s really nice to see all these men of the cloth and religious types (Wright, Hagee, Sharpton, Huckabee) showing what assets they can be in a political campaign.
It would be really nice if we could leave these drips to doing their mentoring on religion and stay out of politics and government.
lexhamfox on May 16, 2008 at 5:42 PM
“I am not a crook.”
“Read my lips…”
“I did not have sexual relations with that woman…”
“…or you’ll get stuck in Iraq.”
Some things get engraved on your metaphoric tombstone.
Rhinoboy on May 16, 2008 at 5:42 PM
SWEET Now we wont be stuck with both McCain AND Huckabuck. Hucky ought to get that hole in his foot checked out.
Dingbat63 on May 16, 2008 at 5:42 PM
+1 to the Dems in the first fall debate to mention 2nd amendment issues.
***
Huck lost most of the weight from his brain. That is a little-known-fact from an unknown source.
The Race Card on May 16, 2008 at 5:46 PM
Just to let you know, Movies aren’t real.
There is a difference and this is silly line of argument.
EJDolbow on May 16, 2008 at 5:46 PM
This thread officially died at 5:27pm ET.
There’s nothing else left you can say about this.
SaintOlaf on May 16, 2008 at 5:46 PM
Doesn’t matter if it’s “on the fly” or not. Gun humor might be OK, but joking about someone at an NRA convention pulling a gun on a presidential candidate? Not funny, not helpful, not cool.
Anyone who’s carried a gun should know that the act of pointing a gun at someone is not something to be taken lightly- you just don’t do it unless you have reason to believe you’d be justified in shooting them.
Hollowpoint on May 16, 2008 at 5:47 PM
Aside from pointing out that the one who wrote it is completely insane? No, you’re right- there really isn’t.
Now you’re suggesting that if Romney, Fred, McCain or any other prominent Republican joked about pulling a gun on Obama that the media would give them a pass and ignore it. Seek professional help.
Hollowpoint on May 16, 2008 at 5:51 PM
Do you work on the “Huckabee Re-Writing History Team?”
He said what he said. It doesn’t matter what you think he meant to say.
EJDolbow on May 16, 2008 at 5:52 PM
Stupid yes, but geez, what difference is there between this and someone suggesting that Bush go hunting with Cheney?
I mean, other than this is an ostensible Republican?
drjohn on May 16, 2008 at 5:53 PM
There is plenty that can be said by people capable of rational thought.
But you right, there is nothing else you can say about it.
EJDolbow on May 16, 2008 at 5:54 PM
Which presidential candidate said that?
The reason this is so bad for Republicans and the NRA is because it was said by a man who was running under our banner to be POTUS.
People who voted for this guy really screwed the Republican Party.
EJDolbow on May 16, 2008 at 5:56 PM
There’s something wrong with your brain.
crr6 on May 16, 2008 at 5:56 PM
Heh. Don’t break your arm patting yourself on the back there, Olaf.
Slublog on May 16, 2008 at 6:02 PM
‘Nuff said.
omnipotent on May 16, 2008 at 6:03 PM
I thank God so much that he is not our nominee
ConservativePartyNow on May 16, 2008 at 6:04 PM
Do you check for “hard right conservatives” under your bed before you go nighty-night?
——————
As far as gun humor goes, I really think a guy named “Hollowpoint” should have the last word.
misterpeasea on May 16, 2008 at 6:05 PM
If it’s really and truly “Officially” dead and there’s nothing left to say about it why are you still hanging around and posting to it?
Oldnuke on May 16, 2008 at 6:06 PM
Hopefully this will doom any chance of getting on the ticket. Huck is a dufus.
echosyst on May 16, 2008 at 6:06 PM
Key word is bolded.
I think there will be no more debates, my e-friend :), but I do understand the essence…
***
No worries, it was featherlight before, the brain…
“And they called me elitist when I talked about this on billionaire row, in San Francisco” - - Barack Obama
Entelechy on May 16, 2008 at 6:07 PM
Yes, if by coward you mean “person who will duck when a gun is pointed at them”. I also like to think of these people as losers of the Darwin Award. Or people who might be around long enough to justify getting to know…
I’m sure you and Huckabee never duck when guns are pointed your way, but instead stand tall and wave your arms to get attention.
Because you’re not “cowards”… instead you’re um… “targets”? Was that the concept you were looking for?
Obama is so cowardly he won’t even stand still and be target practice, unlike you and Huckabee.
Nice burn there… you should be proud of that one.
gekkobear on May 16, 2008 at 6:08 PM
Buy lottery tickets because crr6 and I agree.
Entelechy on May 16, 2008 at 6:09 PM
The FBI should take him in for a good lesson.
Dove-brain!
Entelechy on May 16, 2008 at 6:11 PM
I was going to say something like that too, but I was so shocked that crr6 and I could be in total agreement on anything that my fingers wouldn’t type the words. Perhaps there is hope left in the world.
Oldnuke on May 16, 2008 at 6:12 PM
Oldnuke, keep hope alive :) Regards,
Entelechy on May 16, 2008 at 6:19 PM
Fine if you insist.
This goes back to the republican push to gain the poor white man and woman voter.
The republicans are attempting to become the populist party by pushing anti payday lending legislature…pushing the fair tax…nominating Huckabee as VP etc. etc.
Yes Huck will be the VP nominee.
And yes this “gaffe” as you say, will generate a ton of free publicity and the opportunity to expose Ubama as a cowardly, appeasing,gun grabbing extremist,elitist candidate.
Not only will this be highly publicized but Huck will get the opportunity to go on every media venue and explain himself by saying “I meant someone showed him a gun” and in the process further expose Ubama as the cowardly extremist that he is.
This is equivalent to $150 million or so in fundraising as this is free publicity for Huck and free negative campaign ads against Ubama.
SaintOlaf on May 16, 2008 at 6:21 PM
Somebody once said that you reap what you sow and you reap the whirlwinds. I am not sure who said it but I am sure that Huckabee would not like that guy….whoever he is.
Roger Waters on May 16, 2008 at 6:22 PM
Take Red Pill with you and ask for a group rate.
funky chicken on May 16, 2008 at 6:22 PM
Huckabee is an IDIOT! I have thought that about him since he first stepped in to the race. I have a doctoral degree, I live in the southwest, I am politically conservative and a Christian (most would say from a very conservative denomination, but not Baptist). Some would say I am in his demographic. BLECH!! This guy, is angry, spiteful and he just can’t help but spit it out once in a while. PLEASE keep him off of the ticket. The only thing that could make voting for McCain worse would be if he chooses this fool to be his running mate!
texasgirl on May 16, 2008 at 6:25 PM
Yes, that’s the problem, isn’t it?
All you need is a beat and a video camera.
Huck-a-bee, Huck-a-bee…
Slublog on May 16, 2008 at 6:25 PM
Can we get a troll clean-up in aisle 3 please?
omnipotent on May 16, 2008 at 6:25 PM
Hollowpoint on May 16, 2008 at 5:47 PM
Heh. You were a boyscout, weren’t you? Me too. I remember the knife rules. I know about gun rules too. But if your going to take gun humor out of the equation all together, well, I think that goes too far. Especially at an NRA conference.
VolMagic on May 16, 2008 at 6:26 PM
OK, so Huck thought this would be funny to the NRA crowd???
This proves the guy is an idiot,, a Clinton pretending to be a born again conservative. He actually believes conservatives are just a bunch of gun toting hicks that would love to take a potshot at a president! He needs to come out and apologize and the NRA needs to tell this guy he is not invited back! Ever!
JellyToast on May 16, 2008 at 6:28 PM
It certainly makes McCain look better by comparison LOL. Did Ron Paul speak at the convention too? shudder
funky chicken on May 16, 2008 at 6:29 PM
St o - kind of like he did with the add, he “wasn’t really going to show, but I’ll show you guys, because I know it won’t go any further.”
Kind of like that?
Would like to know just how much that add would’ve cost if he paid for it?
Just a good old preacher! Good old boy!
Just saying
Bambi on May 16, 2008 at 6:31 PM
The Huckabots can’t comprehend how “Christ’s Own Candidate” has managed to screw up once again and look like a total idiot while making everyone around him look bad in the process.
BIG surprise.
SuperCool on May 16, 2008 at 6:33 PM
Ron Paul would be much infinitely better than Huckabee, I’m guessing. Huckabee is an embarrassment, and the NRA ought to throw his worthless ass out of the Convention.
doubleplusundead on May 16, 2008 at 6:35 PM
So you Romneybots are still bitter huh?
I wonder if they will switch parties now that the republican party is of necessity the “soak the rich” populist party?
SaintOlaf on May 16, 2008 at 6:36 PM
Oh, good. It’s time for “Statistics with SaintOlaf,” right after the obligatory ‘Romney is teh suxxor!’ comment.
You’re consistent, Olaf. Gotta give you that.
Slublog on May 16, 2008 at 6:38 PM
I dunno….one chuckle too many there IMO.
The Ugly American on May 16, 2008 at 6:39 PM
FTFY
doubleplusundead on May 16, 2008 at 6:44 PM
Remember before, when you weren’t talking?
Good times.
sulla on May 16, 2008 at 6:44 PM
Heh. I couldn’t make hide nor hair out of that comment.
And when crr6 can say this - “There’s something wrong with your brain” - you’re really up a creek.
Jaibones on May 16, 2008 at 6:44 PM
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