Is This Billboard Racist?

Text of Billboard: "Come November Let's Kick Barack Obama's Ass!"

This sign is on South First Street in Sunnyside, Washington. It depicts an elephant kicking the rear end of a donkey which a caricature of Barack Obama is riding. It is a sign that shows a lack of tact, and is sure to offend the sensibilities of a large number of people, but is it racist?

I was talking to some folks in town about this sign recently, and got a number of reactions. One person said that the only thing the billboard is showing is that the property owner is an ass! (A few years ago, he put up some controversial signs and the city demanded he take them down. He sued the city for violating his free speech rights, and eventually won a settlement.)

Another person exclaimed: "Have you seen that offensive billboard? It is obviously racist!"

What do you think about this sign?

Related Articles
Obama Hitler Billboard Fires Up Tea Party Detractors (rightpundits.com)
"Voted Obama? Embarrassed Yet? Billboards Springing up" and related posts (thecount.com)

***

Cross posted at BLOGSUNNYSIDE.COM