Lipstick? Palin? Obama? Did someone say Dick Cheney?

Barack Obama derided the Republicans Tuesday for trying to sell themselves as the candidates for change. "You can put lipstick on a pig; it's still a pig," Obama said.

Ever since, the McCain campaign has tried to insinuate -- through words and quickie ads -- that Obama was insulting Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin. You'll recall that Palin, in accepting the Republican vice presidential nomination, said the only difference between a hockey mom such as herself and a pit bull was lipstick.

Amid a media firestorm, Obama responded. “What their campaign has done this morning is the same game that has made people sick and tired of politics in this country," he said. "They seize on an innocent remark, try to take it out of context, throw up an outrageous ad because they know it’s catnip for the news media."

Indeed, reporters were drawn to the story and pointed out quickly that McCain himself had used the expression, in October, when describing Democrat Hillary Rodham Clinton's healthcare plan.

Now it turns out that no less a Republican stalwart than Vice President Dick Cheney used the expression frequently during his last national election. One moment took place at his final 2004 campaign rally, with his wife, Lynne, providing the warm-up, in Jackson, Wyo. It went like this:

Lynne Cheney:

... John Kerry has a completely and totally weak record on national security issues, that he's had a record for 30 years of weakness on national security issues.  But --

The vice president, interrupting:

Well, he's working very hard to cover it up.  Now, we got into the campaign, of course, and he's trying hard to cover up the fact that he voted against the first Gulf War; against Operation Desert Storm; voted against most of the weapons systems that President Reagan used to keep the peace and win the Cold War. But the point is that no matter how hard he tries, no matter how much spin he tries to put on it, that you can't cover that record up with a little tough talk during the course of the campaign, that as we say in Wyoming, you can put all the lipstick you want on a pig, but in the end of the day, it's still a pig.

Here's a clip of Cheney making the same remark during a speech in Hawaii.

-- James Gerstenzang and Johanna Neuman

Photo: Jeff Kowalsky / EPA

Comments

[Anon]

"You can put monkey ears on a pig, but he's still a pig."

[John Smith]

Is the Times so desperate to prop up Obama that it is refusing to even admit that he intended and failed at a joke. After all when he delivered his infamous lipstick line he paused and allowed the crowd to react. He clearly inteded it to be a reference at Palin, to try to justify his use by pointing out that others also used the line in different context is pathetic.

[Cronos]

It's saddening that Palin and McCain have to resort to making a petty mountain out of a taken out of context molehill? It's obvious what he was talking about if you listened to the entire context.

What is also sad is that Palin will not take any questions from the press, because she is too scared, and the republicans know she isn't ready for prime time without a teleprompter.

And for those wondering what Obama stands for, and how he is planning on actually accomplishing his claims (unlike McCain who won't even talk about issues) read the following PDF from Obama himself...

http://www.barackobama.com/pdf/ObamaBlueprintForChange.pdf

[Zoey]

C'mon everybody, it's the economy, stupid!!!

Why are we talking about lipstick, pigs and Palin...what is wrong with this country? Obama is absolutely right. Talk about the issues!! This is typical Republican BS and they do it every time...

Clinton may not have been perfect but his campaign sure got it right.

[John]

Obama clearly was not calling Palin a pig, he was calling McCain a Pig. Palin, by her own admission, is a dog (specifically a pit bull, but that's still a dog). [Note to the humor impaired: this post was intended as a joke.]

[Pedro]

It's the same thing the Republicans have done for the past few elections. They try to demonize the Democrats. That's one thing the Republicans are good at - not treating people with common decency, but demonizing them. Anyone who has watched the last 8 years of the Republican administration (and their election ad campaigns) might have a better idea of who the demons actually are.

Really folks, these Republicans are slimeballs.

[Glenna]

What the heck, John????? How do you explain all of the other times this phrase was used?

"I think they put some lipstick on a pig, but it's still a pig." – John McCain, in reference to Hillary Clinton's health care plan, last year.

"George Bush has given a mission to General Petraeus, and he has done his best to try to figure out how to put lipstick on a pig." – Barack Obama, last year.

"Or as we say out in our home state of Wyoming, you can put all the lipstick you want on a pig, but it's still a pig." – Dick Cheney, 2004.

"It's all about withdrawal or not withdrawal, okay? I mean that's what it's all about. You can put lipstick on a pig, but it's still a pig." – John McCain, last year.

"You can put lipstick and earrings on a hog and call it Monique, but it's still a pig." – Texas Gov. Ann Richards.

"John Kerry tries to put a bunch of fancy, fancy talk...but there is nothing you can do to really -- to really obscure that record. You can try, though. And in Wyoming, we've got a saying for what it is when you keep trying to make something that's not so good look good, we call it putting lipstick on a pig." – Lynne Cheney, 2004.

"It gets down to whether you support what's being done in this new strategy or you don't. You can put lipstick on a pig. It's still a pig in my view." – John McCain, last year.

[Democrats 08]

This one of the many good reasons why I am 110% in Obama’s corner. The Republicans have destroyed America as we once knew our great country. We are now trillions in debt to foreigners, where we once had a huge surplus under Clinton. John McCain will be the death of us all if Americans are stupid enough to elect him based on these distractions and personal pot shots like people foolishly once listened to and voted for Bush when he campaigned on lies and smears like this. McCain is a two faced liar, he vowed not to run his campaign like this and here he is every day smearing away and ignoring the real issues we all now face because of McCain’s buddy Bush. In his very OWN words McCain voted OVER NINETY PER CENT of the time with Bush, what does that tell you people? are you McCain supporters really that dumb? seriously? you should all have the word SUCKER tattooed on your heads. Barack Obama is very intelligent and more than qualified to be President as he continues to prove every day with the way he handles these attacks. He has shown maturity, intelligence, toughness, love for country and that he actually seriously cares about the future of the American people and our needs in these unbearable economic times. Obama offers many solutions to our problems, McCain offers lies and attacks just like Bush did and still does. I have seen John McCain go from the maverick he once was years ago to just another lying, empty headed Neo Con just like the rest and Palin is no better. If anyone actually thinks these two money grabbing Neo Cons will bring healthy and prosperous change to the American people, to the working and middle class, they need their heads examined. Look at what they have to offer, it’s not at all what we need, not at all the kind of real solutions we need at a time when we are kicked and down after eight straight long and seriously damaging years of Republican corruption.. The Republican party lead by Bush is more responsible than anyone for the weakened and decimated state America is now in, rewarding them with four more years to do more damage would be like sticking the knife in our own backs. Remember this, Bush and Cheney are the same as McCain and Palin. John McCain recently in his own words on his close ties and relationship with Bush during the disastrous Bush years, John McCain — “The President has lead with great clarity and I think he’s done a great job leading the country don’t you all?” John McCain — “The President and I agree on most issues, there was a recent study that showed I voted with the President over 90% of the time, higher than even most of my Republican colleagues” You will regret your vote if you make the mistake of voting for the two liars McCain and Palin that claim to put ‘Country First’ instead of the American PEOPLE.

Obama / Biden All the Way!!

[Kate]

Jeez, get a life people... How old are you guys, like five??????
This whole campaign trail is trash and is a whole money making scheme. The name calling, "he said it" "but you said it first" pretty much sum's up your "great" country right??? This is a freaking election, not a soap opera!!! How can anyone take this crap seriously...???

[Adrian near Seattle]

It would be nice to think that American voters have "had enough" with Rovian tactics, but...don't hold your breath.

Cheney & Bush were sold, twice.

The Republicans are Masters of the Universe. At spin.

Rove is reaching the casual voter, someone who barely tunes in to politics, but can be swayed with simple, gross deception.

Like the Swift Boating of Kerry, it's "game on". It will be "game over" if things don't change at Obama HQ.

Thomas Freidman (NYT) got it right yesterday: Obama and his people need to keep their ear on the street (in the Walmart?). And respond better. Way better.

If Rove can win this thing (again) after what Cheney and Bush and the Republicans have done to our county, it will be so very sad, and familiar.

And a triumph of marketing, *again*. Please your part in trying not to let it happen.
Do Something: barack obama dot com Send 'em some coin or volunteer, please. And hope they get some fire in their bellies.

[rottnkid]

I know one thing If the christian right wings believe in Armageddon and they vote McCain/Palin they're gonna see it and GOD will not be around, it'll be Russia.

[Doug]

I'm just wondering why Osama put himself in this position in the first place. If he were talking about the issues instead of referencing a comment made in a speech by Gov. Palin, none of this would be in the news.

[LookUpLarrySinclair]

He covers his eyes as he delivers the line. It is body language. His mouth twists into a sneer. Its a nasty shot.

He's trying not to show mirth in front of the cameras. But his fan base immediately pick up on the shot. They knew exactly what he meant which just adds to the confirmation. Though no doubt women in the crowd are conflicted and emotions are spinning in conflicted inner turmoil.

The shot about "Smelly old fish" directed at Palin needs no other comment as to its hateful Misogyny.

[Michelle]

I don't think Obama really meant to refer to Palin as a pig. However, considering that the last lipstick line was given by Palin to great effect, it was a faux pas. So if it was intentional, not so great. If it was not intentional it was still bad because politicians can't afford any mistakes like that when they are referring to other politicians (whether its prime ministers, princes, or presidents). It's better to just come out and say your position.

[Kris]

McCain, Palin, and the GOP don’t want you to know the real situation of the country after 8 years of George Bush. After the Bush administration squandered surpluses left by Clinton and bumped the outstanding US public debt to over 9 trillion dollars, what do Americans have to show for it? The American Human Development Project combed through recent data to assess health, education, income, and many other factors affecting quality of life: the US is TRAILING EVERY OTHER WESTERN DEMOCRACY!!!

To be specific a comparison to the 30 most developed countries in the world will SHOCK Americans:

1/ The US currently spends more than ANY other industrialized country in health care per Capita and in percentage of Gross Domestic Product. Yet it has the highest level of new AIDS cases, the highest number of obese people; it ranks only #21 in number of practicing physicians per inhabitants, #23 in life expectancy, and #25 in infant mortality (Only Turkey, the Czech republic, Mexico, Korea, Hungary, Poland, and the Slovak republic do worse).

2/ Take key education indicators like performance in Math and Science in school, the U.S ranks #25 and #21 respectively... nothing to be proud of. No improvement in sight with Governor Sarah Palin’s goal to teach creationism.

3/ Look at standards of living. Despite having the 2nd highest GDP per Capita of all industrialized countries, the US in contrast has the 2nd highest child poverty rate of those countries, the 2nd highest rate of people living below the median income, the 3rd worst ratio of income distribution between its richest and poorest citizen. It ranks as #24 for the number of people suffering from long-term unemployment, #27 in terms of minimum paid annual leave, #23 for maternity leave, #17 in savings rate in addition to personal debt and bankruptcies being rampant ... you call that a life ???

4/ How about crime? The US has the highest number of people incarcerated in proportion to its population (3 times more than #2 Poland, and 7 times more than even countries like Turkey and Korea), but guess what? It still manages to have the 2nd highest murder rate, trailing only Mexico.

5/ The worse part about this is that Alaska, Sarah Palin’s state has a poorer record than the national average despite the fact that it is one of the largest recipients of federal subsidies ($1.84 for every $1.00 it pays into the U.S. Treasury). This means that the self-proclaimed fiscal reformer who flirted with right-wing libertarian ideas is a hypocrite to the least! She has already been proven to be a liar.

So I urge everyone who is serious about this election to get the facts. They lead to only one conclusion when partisanship is removed from the equation: Obama is the best candidate.
The full report is on sale on Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Measure-America-American-Development-2008-2009/dp/023115495X/ref=sr_oe_2_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1215786602&sr=1-2

[Sarah T]

Ridiculous! The comment was clearly not aimed at Palin. anyhow, she'd be the lipstick, the Repulican Party is the pig. The speeches at the Republican Convention were insult-fests toward Obama, Biden, and Democrats in general, yet they now ry to cast the Dems as downright Satanic for any comment that just possibly might be seen as offensive by some extremely overly sensitive right winger.

Every person on that Republican stage was outright nasty and the Repubs LOVED those attack dogs. How can they pretend to find such behavior offensive when a Democrat even approaches the their applauded level of rude, biased outright nastiness. Of course, as many reasonable people have said, this is all an attempt to make people forget that the Bushies have done astounding damage to this country and that the McPalin ticket is going to keep up the terrible work.

HATEFUL SELF-RIGHTEOUS HYPOCRITES.

[CP]

The party of Lincoln has become the party of hypocrisy. I will be voting on the issues important to me and my family, not party affiliation.
Republican for Obama/Biden

[Jacque Denise Yap]

There was so little else that his competitors could say against Obama that Biden was just grasping the obvious point of Obama's youth and newness when trying to elevate his own claim to political experience. The first clip is just sound bites under media pressure to diss one another during a loaded political debate. The other clip shows a more extensive, personal reaction, response and opinion of Obama when Joe is not touting his own cause. It's all politics but I believe the second "shirtsleeve" clip is more honest and fairminded. i just saw in pollclash that Joe Biden has now been officially introduced as Barack Obama's Vice Presidential selection well you can see teh video in http://pollclash.com

[David W. Oaks]

Given that Barack Obama specifically referred to McCain's economic policy as the "pig" in his metaphor, it is a lie for that Republican tv ad to claim that Senator Obama had referred to Governor Palin.

The Republican strategists would have to have some "very special skills," because they would have us believe that they can somehow hear things that others cannot hear.

Are these Republican strategists playing tapes of Senator Obama's speeches backwards, and seeing if they can decipher any other nuggets?

Perhaps candidates who claim to hear the voice of God are using the same "very special skills." For me such skills are also known as "a very active imagination."

Just a moment, I hear God calling me right now, I better get this one!

A huh, a huh, a huh.

Okay, God says: "Please tell the Republicans to get back to real issues like economy, environment and health care. And please tell all concerned people to register to vote."

Oh, wait, here's something more:

"You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor."

Got it. Get it?

[Deena Kalagias]

This issue highlights how the media allows itself to be manipulated by the Repulican play-book. It happened during 9/11, during the last Presidental Election and its continues to this date. The media really need to anayze how serious its role is and how much it is influencing the lives and minds of individuals. Our country deserves better!!!