Obama impersonator pulled from Republican Leadership Conference stage

[MrsPincince]

Posted by By Rachel Rose Hartman for The Ticket a Ynews blog

Barack Obama impersonator Reggie Brown briefly stole the spotlight this weekend at the Republican Leadership Conference in New Orleans after making a series of racial jokes and taking digs at several 2012 GOP candidates--the stars of the show--before being pulled from the stage.

When the routine mocked the president and other Democrats, it seemed to get a positive reception from the conservative audience--but the crowd let loose a smattering of groans and boos when Republicans became the butt of jokes.

Brown opened by saying Obama only celebrates half of Black History Month because he is biracial, that the president's "mother loved a black man, and no, she was not a Kardashian," referencing the reality-show sisters who have dated and/or married black men. Brown later compared the Obamas to the stars of "Sanford and Son," to wide laughter.

But when Brown started taking on the GOP's base, things grew tenser. He insulted Barbara Bush's appearance, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney's Mormon faith, suggested former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty doesn't have a spine, and joked about former House Speaker Newt Gingrich. Just when he was about to make a dig about Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) the comedian was ushered off stage.

As media outlets reported, former Republican National Committee spokesman and current GOP strategist Doug Heye responded to the performance via Twitter, writing: "Wonder why many minorities have problems with GOP? Hiring Obama impersonator to tell 'black jokes' at SRLC, for starters. Our own fault."

Brown was asked on CNN Monday morning if he believes he was yanked due to content or for time. "I do believe that I was over time for a few minutes and I also believe the material was starting to get to a point to where maybe they started to feel uncomfortable about where it was going," Brown said.

Event organizer Charlie Davis told The Ticket via email Monday morning: "I pulled him because his content was inappropriate for the conference."

After asking Davis why Brown wasn't pulled off stage sooner if the comments were "inappropriate," Davis followed up, writing:

The RLC is designed to showcase the top Republican leaders and ideas in the country. To talk about limited government, fiscal responsibility and rebuilding the American economy.

Had I been in the room I would have pulled him sooner. We have zero tolerance for racially insensitive jokes. As soon as I realized what was going on I rushed backstage and had him pulled.

[teko]

Well I think it reveals a whole hellova lot. The Republicans, who tout the Constitution and even made a point to pass a bill saying it had to be in lines with the Constitution before they would pass any legislation. Remember that. ROFL... I thought they believed in freedom of speach? Oh okay, its just theirs. I think this says it all. How incredibly tacky on their part and it came back to bite em in the butt..... Priceless.

[adgal]

I saw part of this.  To tell you the truth, I do think the guy was funny..sorry.  However, what's good for one should be good for both. Seems some only had a one sided sense of humor.  I also think the forum was probably not the right place for this...didn't impress me that they hired an Obama impersonator for that type of gathering.  

[bbxx]

I didnt watch this, but I  dont think its ever funny to make fun of anyone. I dont care if I like what they stand for or not. Its not needed.
I agree with you that we are to respect our president regardless of what we feel about his decision making. I will be honest, I dont like a lot of his decisions, in fact most, but I will say one thing about him, he managed to get a whole lot more done that anyone else, or so it appears anyway. (and I dont like what hes done) lol, but he is busy working accomplishing the things he set out to do.

[MrsPincince]

So sad to see when it's about President Obama, it was funny but when it got to the republicans and the "GOP Front runners" they yank him off the stage. Why does race have to always be the topic of conversation with the GOP when it comes to our sitting President?? Is it because they have NO actual argument to his job performance. I thought that's what they want to do. Show the American people how he supposedly failed us....I just can't believe the blatant disrespect of a sitting president and some people think it's funny..I on the other hand DON'T...No it's not because I'm black, it's the fact that it is our patriotic duty as Americans (no matter what color the skin is)  to respect the sitting president even if we don't believe in his policies. I don't know what the future holds for our government but it scares me for my son. I just pray that we all see the bigger picture and stop bashing. We need to focus on what's important....JOBS, and the ECONOMY...All this other stuff is just RIDICULOUS!!!!