Suddenly, McCain/Obama battle over lipstick -- Porky's or Palin's

Oh, boy! Or girl! For a presidential race where three of the four major candidates are of the male persuasion, they're spending an awful lot of time talking about lipstick.

Another measure perhaps of how the addition of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin to the political mix in the Republican's No. 2 spot has shaken things up on both sides in just 12 days.

New polls out Monday revealed a 20-point swing in support of white women away from the Barack Obama-Joe Biden Democratic ticket over toward the John McCain-Palin package, attributed largely to the blast of fresh air and down-to-earthness brought by the surprise presence of the 44-year-old reform governor and mother of five.

Today, Obama walked into some Republican machine-gun fire when he appeared to echo Palin's lipstick line from her widely viewed and quoted convention speech last week.

The self-described hockey mom ad libbed a joke in response to audience cheers from Alaska women: "You know what the difference is between a hockey mom and a pit bull?" she asked, pausing perfectly. "Lipstick!"

It was one of the best-received lines of the night and widely quoted and replayed for days afterward.

Today, campaigning in Lebanon, Va., and complaining about the GOP ticket portraying itself as agents of change, Obama (see video below) said ...

... "You can put lipstick on a pig. But it's still a pig."

Web browsers could almost hear a gasp of disbelief online.

Could Obama be so stupid as to imply that his newest opponent is like a barnyard animal, this candidate they've tried to portray as an inexperienced lightweight from a rural area who seems to increasingly preoccupy Obama's monologues instead of the GOP's top candidate?

Is that smart for the No. 1 on the Democratic ticket to be so distracted by the No. 2 on the GOP side? And where is Biden in this debate?

To be sure, other candidates including McCain himself have used that pig line or similar pig references about their opponent's programs, implying you can't hide what a hog is merely by applying some makeup.

But, to be honest, pig among men is another word for an ugly woman. And none of those past references came so close on the heels of such a widely read, widely viewed and widely heard lipstick line as Palin's and with the two party's national tickets set, one of them with the first female in its party's history.

Coming in a context where everything in public dialogue is perceived as political and the lawyerly Obama always appears to measure his words so carefully, it hardly seemed an accident.

Although it might plausibly be brushed off as a willful misinterpretation by opponents, as the Obama camp attempted to do during the primary season when its candidate appeared to use his middle finger to scratch his cheek while mentioning another female opponent, Sen. Hillary Clinton.

The GOP immediately activated its so-called truth squad Tuesday, a rapid-response unit similar to one Obama uses to counter perceived smears on him.

"Barack Obama's comments today are offensive and disgraceful," said Maria Comella, a McCain-Palin spokeswoman. "He owes Gov. Palin an apology."

On a campaign conference call recorded by The Times' Maeve Reston, former Massachusetts Gov. Jane Swift, who also served while raising small children, said: "“It’s both a gendered comment and there’s only one woman in the race … and it’s directly analogous to the comment she had made."

Swift added: "“You would think that having gone through a hard-fought primary with Sen. Clinton that the Obama team would have figured out how to respectfully engage in a debate that represents the things they want to do, which is the politics of hope. This is just the same old low road, flinging accusations.”

Those traveling with the Obama campaign in recent days, like The Times' Peter Nicholas, have noted a new, more emotional tone creeping into his comments. His public persona is often described as cool. But since last week, hitting the battleground states of Ohio, Michigan and Virginia as poll numbers dipped, Obama has seemed increasingly combative.

On Monday in Michigan, Obama became exercised when talking about the need to give even suspected terrorists legal rights.

“We may think this is Mohammed the terrorist,’’ he said at a campaign rally, but “it might be Mohammed the cab driver. You might think it’s Barack the bomb-thrower. But it might be Barack the guy running for president.’’

Continuing, he got more heated, his voice booming. Referring to the Constitution, he said: “Don’t mock the Constitution! Don’t make fun of it! Don’t suggest that it’s un-American to abide by what the founding fathers set up! It’s worked pretty well for 200 years!’’

He finished with a sigh: “These people."

If you're one of "these people" or not, what do you think?

-- Andrew Malcolm

Photo credits: Jae C. Hong / Associated Press (top); Getty Images (bottom).

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Comments

[100% Real American]

I was undecided before the conventions and after McCain picked Palin I got caught up in the craze and was going to vote McCain.

Is it just me, or is McCain's campaign's constant WHINING getting annoying? Palin is supposed to be a tough gun totin' "Maverick" change-machine. The fact is she's as corrupt as anyone. She's also a total woos who can dish it out but can't take it. "WHINE WHINE WHINE BOO HOO HOO" Do people really think other world leaders are going to pull punches?

I've finally made up my mind on who to vote for.

[Dylan]

Please don't legitimize this ridiculous attempt to play gender politics by the GOP. That expression is older than dirt. It's been used in politics forever, including-- as you note-- by McCain himself.

We have so many absolutely vital issues at stake in this election. Don't drag us down to the gutter with the political hacks from either party, Andrew. Surely you're better than that.

[Steve]

I'm pretty certain that Obama was not trying to "infer that his newest opponent is like a barnyard animal".

He may been implying it, but he certainly wasn't inferring it.

[almost50lady]

Ugly is as ugly does. Blood red pitbull or shrinking violet? Turns out Palin is all about violet, and we're not talking lipstick shade. Pitbulls take it as well as dish it out. Apologize to her? No barking way.

[Stephen Gianelli]

Governor Palin’s very recent lipstick-pit bull joke not only had 40 million viewers, but received much news comment later. In addition, Obama referred to Palin by name right after the “pig with lipstick” remark, and right before his rather unfortunate reference to smelly fish.

Taken in context, a fair reading of the remarks clearly indicates that Obama was engaging in a calculated bit of double entendre to take a swipe at his vice presidential rival. After all, Barack Obama is a former law review editor and a wordsmith by profession. Educated persons employ literary and cultural allusions all the time, particularly in politics.

And, of course, stump speeches are proofed and vetted.

Certainly, the crowd he was addressing had no doubt about what he meant.

Add this gaff to Obama’s reference to Hillary’s “periodic” emotional outbursts, and his serial use of the word “sweetie” to address female strangers—in one well known video, using that sexist phrase as a brush-off to a female reporter, then swaggering off amid he laughter of his male factory escorts.

Funny you should mention the Obama –middle finger incident.

Well, how about the primary speech where Obama delighted his supporters by symbolically brushing Hillary off of his shoulders, thereby alluding to the Jay-z song with the lyrics “got 99 problems but a b**** ain’t one”.

Barack Obama is a misogynist ass.

[Rachael K.]

Oh, good Lord. "Putting lipstick on a pig" is an old saying. What's WRONG with you people??

[R Allen]

That's rich! The Republicans getting their feelings hurt by Obama. False indignation. Palin is fair game, and this is a non issue. This comment was directed to McCain and not Palin, in any case. The real issue is the outright lies that McCain/Palin keep spouting and the media keep repeating. Yes, LIES.

[Ridiculous]

He wasn't talking about Palin. They're just reaching. While it's true that there's sexism out there, if you want to see real examples of it, watch THIS:

http://www.thedailyshow.com/video/index.jhtml?videoId=184086&title=sarah-palin-gender-card

[Mt.Nebo]

Let's all be distracted now from the central theme of education by the campaign's spin on something that will never amount to anything.

[troy]

Palin compared herself to a vicious dog (pitbull) in front of millions of people at the convention. A female dog is also known as a b**ch, and we all know that headstrong women are usually referred to as the "b" word. I think her self-reference is deplorable, and the republicans that supported it should be ashamed. Palin has effectively offended millions of women throughout the world. She and the republican party owe America an apology.

[grit]

I'm happy to see Barack bringing HEAT. Palin's been sarcastically bashing him for two weeks and he's been hamstrung by his cool and respectful nature. I really don't believe Barack meant to insult Palin personally but if I were in his place I would have. My apologies to any offended pigs.

[Loren]

The problem with Obama is that he isn't very bright and he can't speak without a teleprompter. Now, his loving media are unwilling to carry him on their collective shoulders because of ratings and female backlash. Obama doesn't do well without an adoring press.
Calling Sarah Palin a "pig" shows a serious flaw in judgement. I'm starting to believe that Obama is an empty suit, just as the Republicans have said....

[AnnapolisMD]

A pitbull or a pig... Its all the same!

[L]

Imagine if a black person was called a pig

Someone arrest that chauvanist NOW - - hate crime, no?

Why would anyone vote for him now

[Brian]

Obama's comment is both offensive and self-righteous! Hardly presidential! Same old low road, angry politician! These people...

[SIWEL9]

Barack's right,you can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear. In Alaska they know that better than most.

[Tricia]

Everyone knows that the term "lipstick on a pig" means trying to make something ugly look pretty, using extremely superficial means. Speaking of equal rights for women. If the tough, lying, hockey mom can dish it she'd better be able to take it.

[Joanne]

Why do Democrats always call Republicans hateful? The pig comment doesn't sound very loving to me.

[Brian]

Obama's comment is both offensive and self-righteous! Hardly presidential! Same old low road, angry politician! These people...

[Amanda]

"Lipstick on a pig" is a common phrase you ninnies.

[Beth]

Ms. Palin identified her own self as "a pit bull with lipstick" so why is "a pig with lipstick" any worse?

[Bette Cooper]

Since Obama says they can put lipstick on a pig too- I was just wondering---- can't they put lipstick on a jackass too?

[Adrienne]

I don't care what the politicians say anymore. The Republicans are complaining about everything and Palin is being treated like she is some kind of saint. The media is acting like a bunch of right wing sheep. So as far as I'm concerned the Democrats can say anything they want (the Republicans do). The way I feel right now I would not vote for a Republican for any office (city,county or state). It's just like the Republicans to start the mudslinging but then whine like a bunch of babies when somebody throws it back.Palin is such an incompetent puppet she says the same thing over and over and can't even be asked a question except by Charles Gibson and my 5 year old niece would ask better questions than him. What a farce this is all turning into so much at stake and the media and Republicans are turning it into some kind of game.. Our country is full of a bunch of idiots who don't vote on issues.

[Mac]

McCain is such a jerk! He used THE EXACT SAME LINE and referred directly to Sen. Clinton! The hypocrite.

Obama was pointing out that these Republicans offering 4 more years of the same BUSH bad policies can't be dressed up.

[MtNebo]

Let's all be distracted now by the discussion of education, economy or war policy, and focus instead on something that will never amount to anything. If you don't have anything of substance to debate your opponent, then distract by some other means.