- The Washington Times - Monday, August 12, 2013

A weekend rodeo stunt at the Missouri State Fair that mocked President Obama has sparked outrage, with one watcher even likening the skit to a Ku Klux Klan rally.

CNN reported the stunt went forth during a bull-riding event, when rodeo announcer Mark Ficken announced a special guest: “President Obama.” He also said: “We’re going to stomp Obama now.”

A clown wearing a mask of Mr. Obama then asked the crowd if they wanted to see “Obama run down by a bull,” The Associated Press reported. The announcer then taunted, “As soon as this bull comes out, Obama, don’t you move. He’s going to getcha, getcha, getcha,” CNN said. And in reply, another clown in the arena said, “Hey, I know I’m a clown. He’s just running around acting like one. Doesn’t know he is one.”

State Fair officials called the show “inappropriate,” AP reported. Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder, a Republican, called it “disrespectful” to Mr. Obama.

And show attendee Perry Beam who came to the fair with his wife and a student from Taiwan to “give him a little piece of Americana,” said the skit reminded of a Klan rally.

“It wasn’t clean,” he said, in CNN. “It was awful. It was sickening. It was racist.”

• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.

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