Republican presidential contender John McCain dismissed a demand by a prominent House Democrat that he apologize to U.S. troops in Iraq for making a joke about an explosive device, saying critics should "lighten up."Remind me again why people consider McCain a "serious and sober" figure?In an appearance Tuesday night on Comedy Central's "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart," McCain joked that he had brought a gift for Stewart back from a recent trip to Iraq.
"What do you want to start with, the bomb Iran song or the walk through the market in Baghdad?" Stewart asked McCain, referring to two recent controversies involving statements by the Arizona senator.
"I think maybe shopping in Baghdad," McCain responded. "... I had something picked out for you, too � a little IED (improvised explosive device) to put on your desk."
On Wednesday, Rep. John Murtha, D-Pa., demanded in a speech on the House floor that McCain apologize to troops for joking about the explosive devices that are responsible for many of the casualties in Iraq.
"Imagine a presidential candidate making a joke about IEDs when our kids are getting blown up," Murtha said.
--Garance Franke-Ruta
