Barack Obama on the Sarah Palin 'lipstick' brouhaha: 'phony outrage'

Barack Obama today forcefully scoffed at the bid by the John McCain camp to make political hay out of his now-notorious "lipstick on a pig" comment, dismissing as "phony outrage" the flap over what he called an "innocent remark."

He also called it "the latest made-up controversy" and "catnip for the news media" that serves to distract attention from the serious issues of the day (he gets credit for not referring to the dust-up as, dare we say it, a pig in a poke).

Appearing in Norfolk, Va., Obama prefaced a speech on education policy to confront the umbrage taken by the McCain forces over the crack he made Tuesday in another part of Virginia (he also noted that the Republicans had been quick to produce what he termed an "outrageous" Web ad that calls him to task on the matter).

[UDDATE: The ad, while still available on the McCain web site, has vanished from YouTube, due to a copyright claim. See below for more detail.]

Given the proximity of Obama's "lipstick" imagery to Sarah Palin -- in her speech that swept the GOP off its feet last week, referring to herself as a pit bull with lipstick -- McCain aides and other Republicans were quick to trash him for what one called a "schoolyard insult."

They also, of course, demanded an apology. But Obama, not surprisingly, would have none of that. This is how he explained what he said: "I’m talking about John McCain’s economic policies. I say this is more of the same. You can put lipstick on a pig, but it’s still a pig. And suddenly they say, 'Oh, you must be talking about the governor of Alaska.'"

Not so, he said. Indeed, he called the insistence that he was none-too-charitably referring to Palin part of the "lies and phony outrage and 'Swift boat' politics" that mark Republican campaign tactics.

Coincidentally, Palin and McCain headlined a rally in northern Virginia just minutes after the Obama appearance in the southern part of the state. Palin, in introducing McCain, made no reference to the lipstick cause celebre.

We doubt, however, that this will be the end of it.

-- Don Frederick

[UPDATE: The ad, after juxtaposing Palin's pit bull/lipstick joke with Obama's lipstick/pig comment, flashed to CBS anchorwoman Katie Couric decrying sexism -- a snippet from a high-profile commentary she delivered months ago about media coverage of Hillary Clinton! Without making that clear, that ad's narrator says of Obama: "Ready To Lead? No. Ready To Smear? Yes." YouTube yanked the spot because CBS claimed a copyright violation. The McCain folks, The Times' Maeve Reston reports, dispute that, arguing the Couric clip is not covered by a copyright protection. 

Comments

[newsandverse]

PARTY ANIMALS

NEWSWIRE:
"...the difference between a hockey mom and a Pit Bull? Lipstick."
-- Sarah Palin
"You can put lipstick on a pig, but it's still a pig."
-- Barack Obama

If you can let the sleeping Pit Bull lie,
And avoid the donkey and its hooving,
Then here's a rule for pigs you should apply:
They're only lying when their lipstick's moving.

www.newsandverse.com
Light verse, ripped from the headlines

[Peter]

O comon, this was no attack., Obama Should be on the defensive big time, Please? He could attack Sarah Palin,He could bring up any number of other scandals and even the possible affair http://www.hotpres.com a non attack, is what it was.

[atl]

It will be the end of it when you move on to more important topics, Don. So then, I agree, I doubt this will be the end of it.

[anonymous]

Say it like it is Obama! Way to go. Let's hear about issues. I don't give a gerbil's fart about Palin's *feelings*

We need a President who can lead this nation!

Obama.

[P J Evans]

Obama needs to stop reacting and start getting ahead of these crappy attacks. Where's his attack on McCain for that sleazy ad that came out yesterday?

Obama also needs to start calling McCain and Palin on all their lies, which are too numerous to name, stating with their tax plan and the 'bridge to nowhere', and keeping on as necessary.

[mruth]

McCain's getting overly sensitive. I'm a woman and I'll be waving my lipstick at the next Democratic rally. It's true--the Republicans are trying to package Bush's failed policy as "reform." As they say in the South, you can put lipstick on a pig, but it's still a pig.

[sammy weiler]

Q: What's the difference between a hockey mom and Ted "Bridge to Nowhere" Stevens?
A: lipstick

Q: What's the difference between a hockey mom and a earmark porker?
A: lipstick

Q: What's the difference between a gun totin' hockey mom and a gun totin' Dick Cheney?
A: Harry Whittington and lipstick

Q: What's the difference between John McCain and George Bush Jr.?
A: lipstick

[frank burns]

Obama is oviously talking about the 8 years of staus quo policies of McCain, followed by John's talk of "change." The only insult here is by the McCain camp itself, who are applying an innocent remark as denoting none other than the governor of Alaska herself. If the shoe fits, wear it, but leave your phony outrage elsewhere, Johnny boy.

[Everyday Crisis Facing Americans]

Why is no one talking about me...I am forgotten in this Election? I guess I am not important anymore.

Your truly,

Economy, War, Health care
and everyday crisis facing Americans.

[Are you kidding]

So I guess if I made a reference to Obama's sense of humor as being "as dark as the ace of spades" he wouldnt mind...it, too, is an innocent remark

[TIM]

Even if the comment was an intentional reference to his opponents (as opposed to a simple figure of speech), it seems pretty clear — if one actually stops to think about the meaning of the words — that McCain and his policies are the “pig” and Palin is the “lipstick.”

[BJ]

Obama's problem is he has allowed McCain and Palin to get in his head. Great strategy, because that is his weakness. He just can't help himself when criticized.

He needs to learn the true meaning of humility and pride, because everything has to be about him.

McCain is clever, because he doesn't mind that Palin IS the main event right now. When people vote, he will still be the president... whereas Obama cannot handle the role of second fiddle, as he would have been had he put Hillary on the ticket. He will have to suffer his own consequence.

[Finn25]

I think that Obama should make a TV add out of it........something like:

"John McCain says he’s about change too, and so I guess his whole angle is ‘Watch out George Bush -- except for economic policy, health-care policy, tax policy, education, policy, foreign policy and Karl Rove style politics -- we’re really going to shake things up in Washington,'"

"That's not change. That's just calling the same thing something different. But you know, you can ... put lipstick on a pig; it's still a pig. You can wrap an old fish in a piece of paper and call it change; it's still going to stink. After eight years, we've had enough of the same old thing. It's time to bring about real change to Washington."

and run it as much as possible!

[John]

Wouldn't it be great if there could be serious debates about issues rather than this childlike exchange?

[Cooday]

Schmidt, Rove and Davis are attacking a Pig Wearing Lipstick? Because they branded Governor Sarah Palin as their Pit bull wearing Lip stick? What is the difference between a Pig and a Pit bull?

Pigs, also called hogs or swine, are ungulates which have been domesticated as sources of food, leather, and similar products since ancient times. From Wikipedia

Pit Bull is a term commonly used to describe several breeds of dog in the Molosser family that were historically used for dog fighting. From Wikipedia

Proof that they are attempting to steal the Pet, Lip stick and Fashion vote!

In my storage room where I parked my computer this artist is looking for a quick response! Ok for the courtship I need a headline - Democrats courting all Republican and Independent voters who love Lipstick, Fashion and Pets!

For inspiration I'm looking at my favorite videos. For lip stick lets see how about - Super Bowl XXXVIII Commercial - Bud Light 6 of 8 (Lipstick). For fashion - Diesel 'Liquid Space' Holographic Fashion Show. For Pet owners - Talking dogs and Funny Cats. Do think my quick response will work?

I never thought this election might be decided on Missy Piggy vs Pit Bull with lip stick. I bet the whole world's online community is thinking “So this is America and Democracy?” Yes I say! This is our finest hour! 55 more days!

[jake]

Plausible denial? Judging from the laughter in his audience... they knew what he was suggesting.

[Tom Diana]

The McCain camp must think that the American public is extremely stupid and will not want to look into the matter any further. Please! Let's not prove them right.

[Dennis]

Obama is not stupid. He knew actually what people would think when he made this comment. He did it so, he can then turn around and say that McCain is trying to avoid issues and jumping on something blowing it out of context. Typical move for Obama.

[jefflz]

McCain knows his complaints about Obama's use of the same phrase McCain used for Hillary's health care plan is another cynical attempt to throw sand into the eyes of the electorate. Cynical like his attempt to steal the Change theme from Obama, cynical like appointing an airhead Christian fundamentalist as VP candidate, .. where is the McCain of 2000 - a so-called man of honor and dignity? He is now a puppet of the Rove/Limbaugh clique that with Cheney controlled the Bushies. The War Hero that hides behind a woman's skirts and throws sand in the eyes of the voters - McCain has made hollow the word Honor .

[Tom]

Everyone here is a pig with lipstick!! start crying!

[David Mellon]

Lipstick on a Pig. A textbook example of how the Republicans work it.
Package the lie. Throw it out to news agencies, looking to fill today's 24 hour news cycle. Overlook the fact the fact that it doesn't make a lick of sense. (In today's instance, can you imagine Obama- of all people- making disparaging remarks about women!) Bank on the fact that a certain percentage of the recipients of the lie will not look into it any further. And voila! there you have it. The Bush Legacy continues. And this is how America fades away...

[Tom]

Are you really that offended? or are you just grasping at anything you can because you don't have anything else? I feel so sorry for you little angry Republicans and fake Democrats

[sandy Wichman]

A pig is a pig is a pig. With or without lipstick!

[malcolm woodriffe]

I do not think that Obama was referring to Sarah Palin when he made the comment however hard I try to make the link. However Palin did compare herself to a pit bull which is a far less intelligent animal than a pig, so even if he did it could be construed as a compliment.

[Walrus]

Hog or Dog?
Republicans angry that Palin might have been called a hog. They say this is a clear reference to Palin calling herself a dog. Why not meet them half way and we'll all call her a lipstick wearing Pit Hog?

[tom]

of course if i was mccain i would not want to talk about the issues and the last 8 years of the republican administration..mccain has nothing new to offer..still even using the same karl rove politics

[Bob Elliott]

Why doesn't Obama explain why he and Joe Biden voted "for" the Bridge to Nowhere" instead of sending that money to the Katrina victums when they were asked to do so? Just because Palin was for it until she became Govenor, then she voted against it, kinda shows who the "real change" candidate is, is. Threw that 'is, is' comment in there to get Bill's attention.

[becky]

Obama should never be trusted. point blank. Nothing more to it. he has no class and no honor for this country. His only goal is to be the first African American president in our country. If you are going to claim to bring change to this country, then state your claim. quit wasting time smearing Palin, McCain, and their families. It makes you sounds like trash, look like trash, and people will begin to view you simply as trash. You are a disgrace to the white house.

[Luke Gilmore]

Please tell me why the news media is even taking this bait thrown out by the Karl Rove inspired Rethuglicans?

We have 150,000 loyal American troops on multiple tours in the most dangerous country in the world, with no end in sight. We have a mortgage meltdown going on. We have the highest unemployment rate in 30 years, we have no healthcare for 49,000,000 Americans- and this whocalled who, what ,stuff is making the headlines?

McCain/Palin have no solutions on the important issues so their campaign resorts to this nonsense to distract us.

Not this time

[21stCwoman]

I think Obama was throwing a compliment – pigs are much nicer creatures than pitbulls. As for all these riduculous sexist charges, get a life and a thicker skin! If we women in the private sector whined like this our businesses would come to a crashing halt.

[Weary]

This is such b.s. The comment wasn't directed at Palin. McCain used the very same expression less than a year ago in one of his campaign speeches. Come on. Don't fall for this crap.

[Rodney Lamprey]

Why is McCain hiding his pig from interviews with the media? Doesn't McCain want the public to see his true pig? Palin is the Queen of Alaska Pork, but no one is calling her a pig. It is sad to see McCain's campaign so completely taken over by the Bush team that it has become a campaign of slime. There is no straight talk now, if there ever was.

[P.Peterson]

Senator McCain - Please stop the nasty comments and talk about the problems we have to fix. Let Sarah go off on her own and remember to run for office you have to be able to take the flack and not be so indignent about every little comment. Regards . a polite Independent voter.

[Willard]

As a female, I have used that old saying, in relating to a particular situation, at least 100 times. Barak Obama meant no malice against Palin. If Republicans think otherwise they're dumber than a mud fence.

[thebob.bob]

Obama says it best:

I love this country too much to let them take over another election with lies and phony outrage and Swift Boat politics. Enough is enough."

"We've got an energy crisis," .... "We have an education system that is not working for too many of our children and making us less competitive. We have an economy that is creating hardship for families all across America. We've got two wars going on, veterans coming home not being cared for -- and this is what they want to talk about.

"You know who ends up losing at the end of the day? It's not the Democratic candidate. It's not the Republican candidate. It's you, the American people. Because then we go another year, or another four years or another eight years without addressing the issues that matter to you."

A coherent, logical statement by a politician! Now that's a change!

[jeanne spivey]

I think Obama is being disingenuous when he describes the public reaction to his foolish "pig-in-lipstick" statement as "phony outrage." With Palin's self-referential and much-talked about "pit bull in lipstick" just days old, there's no way that Obama wasn't talking about her when he made that ill-considered remark. And his attempt to cover his tracks, makes him look childish. It's going to lose him quite a few votes.

[Cecil Manning]

So "sweetie" Hussein Obama is comparing Palin to a pig. Well, Obama is a plain dumb jackass. He's not only arrogant, egotistical, self servicing liar, but he does not like whites or women. We'll never know Obama; he and others have hidden himself so well and there has to be reasons for that.

[Brenda]

I agree phoney outrage. McCain has no agenda. All this talk about lipstick is a joke. McCain camp should be ashamed. No agenda, so they make up lies to fuel the uneducated public and media. People WAKE UP...

[Larry E Garrett]

Sdomeone told me that Governor Patterson said, "Although I am Blind, I can see the difference between a pig and a pit bull!

[Gideon]

The difference between McCain, Bush and Palin? Lipstick.

Obama '08

[Joseph]

Bah humbug! The election is between McCaine and Obama, not some lipstick mama and Obama.

[Jennifer]

Phony indeed. Was the McCain campaign outraged when John McCain used the very same phrase to talk about Hillary Clinton's healthcare plan last Fall?

http;//youtube.com/watch/v=BR8lhMMhr8W

Gotcha lyin' again, McCain campaign.

Obama lowers taxes for 95% of working families- everyone making less than $250,000 per year. McCain lowers taxes on those making more than 2.6 Million per year. Obama eliminates- that means NO TAX, period- for seniors making less than $50,000 per year. Under Obama, tax rates will be similar to those Reagan instituted during his administration. Apparently McCain camp lies about taxes, too.

Obama said no to lobbyists, McCain has a whole bunch- including those lobbying for Exon and the Republic of Georgia- actually sitting on his campaign bus! McCain camp cannot tell the truth about this either.

If they're willing to lie about things like this to get elected,what else will they be willing to lie about?

I thought McCain would be a better man than this.

[Richard P. McDonough]

More nonsense from the party of Rove, hatred, and incompetence.
The democrats just need to run on the are you better of now than you were eight years ago question. It is clear we are ot.
We are at our highest unemployment figure in years, we are expending billions on a senseless war, we have lost thousands of American lives, we are 35th in the world in health care, down the ladder in education, our institutions and our bridges are crumbling, ordinary workers are losing jobs and incomes while executive salaries are obscenely large, and this has all happened on the republic Bush-Cheney-McCain watch.
This should not be a contest, for goodness sake. It should be a foregone conclusion that the scoundrels will be swept out.
Instead we have the press treating McCain-Palin as if they were an intelligent and rational force. Shameful.

[joan ca]

That picture of palin that resembles Rosie the riviteer, sure looks like an Italian salute to me. Perhaps she is saying something to all of America?

[Ted]

Obama is a hypocrite...he talks about the pig etc. with lipstick and it doesn't change, that it's still a pig...his reference was directed straight at Sarah Palin...no if ands or buts...then he tries to run it out by saying the Republicans are making a big issue out of nothing...he's the problem by stating his personal attacks on Sahara then trying to spin them...

[scootmandubious]

The GOP tactics and hypocrisy remain disgusting and unacceptable. And they keep parading lies.

I have a fully sourced piece on the lies about the Bridge to Nowhere, which Palin keeps repeating. Maybe they think if you repeat it enough it will become true.

Maybe Dems need to say, if you call it a lie enough, America might wake up.

My fully referenced piece on the lies about the Bridge to Nowhere is at:
http://scootmandubious.blogspot.com/2008/09/debunking-lies-of-mccain-palin-bridge.html

As far as GOP hypocrisy, John Stewart hit it out of the park. If you missed his video from the other night it is here:
http://scootmandubious.blogspot.com/2008/09/republican-hypocrisy-john-stewarts-home.html

[helmut j napieracz]

what is the matter with mccain,didn't he use the exact same quote about hillarys health plan.if all they can do is come up with karl rove politics then they won't get my vote.oh yes how many missions did you fly in your bomber over north viet nam?what position were you in at your grad. class at annapolis? i bet it wasn't #1,or mabey it was second from last.the only maverick i ever heard of was tom cruise in top gun,and he flew a F14 which was an interceptor.lets realy check your military record.i commend you on your service in the military,but don't get carried away with the BS

[Maggie Knowles]

Don Frederick and Andrew Malcom - are you guys going to provide any analysis on candidates and the issues?

It would be helpful to the American people if you could report on a problem we have in this country with all elections.

LOBBYISTS.

There's a team of lobbyists between me and my representatives, at the national, state, regional, county, and city levels.

How about a blog post about that and what the candidates views are regarding this very important issue?

[Johnette Taylor]

I am a yellow dog democrat, 69 yr. old white female from Arkansas. It scares me to death to imagine that Ms. Palin is one melanoma away from becoming our president.She is the very one that brought up the "lipstick" controversy. Hooray for Obama for going after it.The GOP is so mean spirited under the guidance of Karl Rove. We know now that is why he left the White House so he could be their attack dog. It's going to backfire on them tho. We all know what happened in 2000 with Florida and Jeb Bush as Governor. Thanks.

[Tracy]

The Republicans are full of lies and deceit...as the days progress on I become more outrage by the McCain/Palin team. Here's one you will not make a fool of....