Arizona Senator John McCain is taking flak for a joke about improvised explosive devices, and one U.S. representative from Pennsylvania is leading the charge. KJZZ's Tony Ganzer reports.

TG:  The Daily Show with Jon Stewart is known for presenting the news with a lighter touch, but a joke from John McCain a few days ago on the program yielded more groans than laughs.

John McCain: "...shopping in Baghdad I had something picked out for you (Stewart).  

Stewart: "Did you really?“

McCain: "Yeah a nice little IED to put on your desk.“

Stewart: "That's very lovely of you, thank you.“

McCain laughs during an appearance on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. (comedycentral.com)

TG: Stewart responded to McCain by saying "That's why we have the dogs, alluding to bomb-sniffing animals.  McCain then says he didn't see the dog.  He wanted to kick it.

TG.  McCain's appearance drew harsh criticism from Democratic Pennsylvania Representative John Murtha.

Murtha: "Imagine a presidential candidate making a joke about IEDs when these kids are blown apart.  It's outrageous.  That individual owes an apology to every troop that serves in Iraq.“

TG: McCain appeared on Good Morning America today from South Carolina to defend his joke.

McCain: "I don't know how to react to that kind of hysteria.  All I can say to Murtha and others is lighten up and get a life.“

TG:  McCain says he will continue using humor on comedy shows and otherwise.  He says Murtha's comments are a stretch, to which McCain won't respond.

For KJZZ, I'm Tony Ganzer.

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