White House not laughing about Limbaugh joke

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The White House is keeping its distance from an entertainer's joke comparing commentator Rush Limbaugh to a terrorist.

Presidential spokesman Robert Gibbs on Monday was asked for President Barack Obama's reaction to the joke by comic actress Wanda Sykes at Saturday's White House Correspondents' Association dinner. Obama took part in the event.

Sykes jabbed at Limbaugh for suggesting that he wants Obama to fail. She said Limbaugh's view was essentially the same as al-Qaida terrorist leader Osama bin Laden's. She suggested Obama might want to look into the matter "because I think Rush Limbaugh was the 20th hijacker."

Gibbs said the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks is a topic "better left for serious reflection than comedy."