Rodeo clown in Obama mask draws applause and criticism

Governor called performance "disrespectful and offensive"

The clown was part of the bull riding event at the Missouri State Fair and not everyone took it as humorous.

The rodeo announced asked the crowd on more than one occasion if “anyone would like to see Obama run down by a bull."

One person watching the event told the Kansas City Star “I felt like I was at a Klan rally.”

State Fair officials responded by releasing a statement saying the performance was "inappropriate and disrespectful," and "does not reflect the opinions or standards of the Missouri State Fair."

But others say they were fine with the portrayal and thought it was all in good fun.

Several Missouri political figures including the state's Democratic governor were very critical of the actions.

Democratic Senator Claire McCaskill blasted the show saying it left a message with young people that it's fine to "disrespect, taunt, and joke about harming the president of our great nation."

More here.