West, Donavon West

Mike Huckabee was speaking at an NRA rally in Louisville, Kentucky along with John McCain and others.

While on stage, there was a loud noise and interrupting his speech. Huckabee said: "That was Barack Obama. He just tripped off a chair. He's getting ready to speak and somebody aimed a gun at him and he — he dove for the floor."

Even if this was not racially motivated (I'm willing to give Huckabee the benefit of the doubt), who makes a joke about a presidential candidate being assassinated?

*** UPDATE ***

Later Friday, Huckabee issued a statement saying:

During my speech at the N.R.A., a loud noise backstage, that sounded like a chair falling, distracted the crowd and interrupted my speech. I made an off hand remark that was in no way intended to offend or disparage Sen. Obama. I apologize that my comments were offensive. That was never my intention.