Amash is a second-generation Palestinian-American. Amash: McCain's Iran tweet 'racist'

Michigan Republican Rep. Justin Amash said a joke from veteran Sen. John McCain comparing Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to a monkey was “racist” on Monday.

On Sunday, Ahmadinejad declared his desire to be the first Iranian in space, less than a week after the Middle Eastern nation claimed to have successfully sent a monkey out of the atmosphere. This prompted an attempt at humor from McCain, a fierce critic of Ahmadinejad and an Iran hawk.

Advertisement 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

After receiving criticism, the Arizona Republican told the world of Twitter to shrug it off.

Re: Iran space tweet - lighten up folks, can’t everyone take a joke? — John McCain (@SenJohnMcCain) February 4, 2013

Amash had a different idea.

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, a second-term member best known for his libertarian views, is a second-generation Palestinian-American. He used to have a better opinion of McCain, donating $500 to his presidential campaign in 2008.

A spokesman for McCain said they had no response to Amash.