Uproar Over Obama Clown

The Missouri State Fair on Monday (August 12th) imposed a lifetime ban on a rodeo clown whose performance during a bull riding contest at the fair on Saturday was criticized by officials from both sides of the political aisle. The clown had come out wearing a mask of President Obama, and spectators were asked repeatedly, to their enthusiastic cheers, if they wanted to see, quote, "Obama run down by a bull." Criticism started coming in after photos and video were posted online and went viral. The State Fair said in statement that the clown -- who they didn't name -- had carried out a, quote, "unconscionable stunt" that was inappropriate. The Fair also said they had no idea the clown was planning to mock Obama. However, AP cited a friend of the unnamed clown, Missouri Rodeo Cowboy Association member David Berry, who said that rodeo clowns have long performed similar acts, often imitating sitting presidents.