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Congressman invites Obama-mocking rodeo clown to perform in Texas

Posted at 12:59 PM, Aug 15, 2013
and last updated 2013-08-15 12:59:01-04

(CNN) – A U.S. Representative from Texas known for his provocative statements wants the Missouri rodeo clown fired for mocking President Barack Obama to know he is welcome in the Lone Star state.

Rep. Steve Stockman, the Republican who invited conservative firebrand musician Ted Nugent to the 2013 State of the Union address, has put out a release inviting the rodeo clown to come and perform in his home district in Texas.

“Liberals want to bronco bust dissent. But Texans value speech, even if its speech they don’t agree with,” Stockman said in the statement.

The unnamed clown wore a mask in the likeness of the president at a rodeo performance Saturday, with a broom handle stuck up his backside. A rodeo announcer asked the audience if they would like to see Obama run over by a bull.

Asked for comment Wednesday, White House spokesman Joshua Earnest reacted to the rodeo performance with distaste. “As a native Missourian it’s certainly not one of the finer moments for our state, and not the way that I like to see our state mentioned in the news,” he said.

Stockman, himself fond of anti-Obama and anti-Liberal statements on social media, called the performance “a harmless gag,” he said.

“Liberals have targeted this man for personal destruction to create a climate of fear,” the second-term Congressman said.

“The idea to create a state of fear and make people afraid to trivialize Obama.”

There’s been no word on whether or not the clown will take up the offer.