What did Obama mean with this comment:
Obama poked fun of McCain and Palin’s new “change” mantra.
“You can put lipstick on a pig,” he said as the crowd cheered. “It’s still a pig.”
“You can wrap an old fish in a piece of paper called change. It’s still gonna stink.”
“We’ve had enough of the same old thing.”
The crowd ate it up. They clearly thought that Obama was making fun of Palin’s “lipstick on a pitbull” convention speech joke.
Which, if he was (and for the record, I have no doubt that Obama was referrring to Gov. Sarah Palin with his comment, and to Sen. John McCain with the “old fish” comment), then the Junior Senator of Hope and Change just called the first women GOP Vice Presidential candidate a pig.
And from all indications, a lot of women are seriously pissed off at Obama for what is being preceived as a mysoginistic jab at a new feminist hero.
Pretend for a moment that Mr. Obama made the exact same comment about Hillary Clinton when they were running against each other (some would argue they still are) — imagine the howls of outrage from the Leftwing feminist crowd? If Obama made the same comment towards Hillary, he’d be sleeping with the fishes already.
An Instapundit reader emails: “Surely a man smart enough to be elected president should have foreseen how these remarks would be taken. Don’t Harvard law grads know the impact of words?”
Remember, it was Obama who said that, “words matter.” This phrasing was no accident. Obama meant to attack Sarah Palin, and knew he’d also be able to pretend that he didn’t.
Another reader emailed:
He’s a skilled orator, and he brings it all back around to McCain and Palin. It is absolutely clear that he is tying Palin to the Pig and McCain to the Old Fish. He didn’t construct this accidentally or innocently. Unless you think that he isn’t skilled or smart, and we all know that he is. He tries to create some plausible deniability, but there are only two explanations – he is either a mean-spirited p***, or he’s an idiot. And the latter simply isn’t true.
I’d argue with that last point. Obama might be smarter than the average bear…but for a U.S. Senator and a United States Presidential candidate, I think the man is exceptionally dim.
Obama can claim he was just using a common expression, and in no way was referring to Gov. Palin — I don’t believe him. You know, you can dress a circus monkey up in a suit, but it’s still just a circus monkey.
What? It’s just a saying. I meant nothing by it.
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I’ve thought about this a long time. The combination of the two remarks about the pig and the fish are no accident. If nothing else, the reaction of the crowd should have been a clear tip-off that the crowd believed he was talking about Palin and McCain. If he didn’t intend it, he had the opportunity to clear it up right on the spot. He didn’t.
GUILTY !
Are you kidding? Have you never heard that phrase before? It’s as old as the hills. This reaction to Obama’s comment is just ridiculous. I figured you’d be above all this nonsense.
Yeah, and I’m sure you’ve heard the phrase “calling a spade a spade” but if anyone used it in relation to Obama, we would never hear the end of it. Context is everything and pretending it is not and that he wasn’t taking a shot at Palin is bullshit.
McCain himself used a nearly identical turn of phrase in talking to about Hillary Clinton, but I didn’t hear you raising a fuss then:
“McCain too has invoked pigs in criticizing opponents. When Clinton released her healthcare plan last year, the Arizona senator portrayed it as a remake of the one she proposed when her husband, Bill Clinton, was president. “I think they put some lipstick on a pig, but it’s still a pig,” McCain said.”
Also, way to take the whole thing out of context:
“John McCain says he’s about change too,” Obama told a crowd here. “So I guess his whole angle is: Watch out, George Bush — except for economic policy, healthcare 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 can put lipstick on a pig, it’s still a pig. You can wrap an old fish in a piece of paper called change, and it’s still going to stink after eight years.”
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/washingtondc/la-na-campaign10-2008sep10,0,311675.story
From looking at the full quote in context it’s obviously a comment that was specifically directed towards McCain’s policies, not towards Palin as a person.
You all need to grow up.
Considering how his audience laughed at it and the earlier comment by Palin, you are going to have to do a better job at bullshitting than that, Jarzemsky.
Dude, get over it: you lose. McCain himself used the exact same phrase in remarks on Hillary’s health plan earlier in the year. Not a peep out of the repubs then, or anybody from the Hillary camp, as I recall.
[Editor --- Context, John, is everything. I don't remember Hillary using a lipstick analogy just prior to McCain using the expression. Thus there was no connection to Hillary. But to pretend that Obama didn't use the pig joke to refer to Gov. Palin (and the old fish phrase to refer to Sen. McCain) is intellectually dishonest. And you know it.]
It’s not Obama’s fault that you’re too stupid to grasp a simple turn of phrase.
Furthermore, even IF it was directed at Palin, who gives a shit? Boo-fucking–hoo! Miss “Sarahcuda” can’t stand up for herself like a big girl.
[Editor --- You might not give a shit, and you might not be offended...but that doesn't make the very real offense that millions of women did feel any less significant.]
The Repubs and the McCain camp in general have smeared and personally attacked Obama on virtually everything under the sun, about time they got some back. If you can’t take the heat get the fuck out of the kitchen you goddamn crybabies.
[Editor --- You're going to need professional counseling when The One loses, aren't you? You're melting down almost as fast as Obama's hopes of change.]
Why am I not surprised you are as sleazy and dishonest as all the rest? I mean, you always were. As to can’t take the heat, it is your loser candidate who has wasted 2, going on 3, days attempting to pull his foot out of his mouth. McCain/Palin are busy campaigning.
Good grief!
Some actually are prepared to defend B-HO on this, when it is obvious what his intent was, his audience knew what his intent was, and he chortled after saying it?
B-HO is a little beeyotch, and he fights back like one.
I don’t think he knows what it is to “marble” up, and maybe the reason he doesn’t allow his medical history to be known, is he doesn’t have a pair of marbles.
The persecution complex of the assembled right never ceases to amaze me. Who would have known that rich, white, conservative Christians had it so, so terrible?
Every time a conservative’s head explodes when McSame loses in November, an angel will get its wings.
If McCain had said Clinton’s healthcare plan is like putting a pantsuit on a pig, that would have been offensive because it directly connects Clinton to a pig.
Obama knew that the lipstick remark was directly connected to Palin from her speech the week before, and judging from the laughter he got from his audience, they knew what he was saying linked her to a pig. It is disingenuous for him and his handlers to claim he did not.
I would also point out Obama has had a long history of taking cheap sexist swipes at Clinton. It is amazing he has gotten away with it for so long. I think it is one of the reasons why her supporters are loath to support him now.
The persecution complex of the assembled right never ceases to amaze me.
This is hilarious coming from the party who hasn’t met a conspiracy theory they didn’t disbelieve.
Obama’s problematic use of sexist imagery:
When he called a reporter “sweetie.” 5/14/08
When he flipped off Hillary during a speech. 4/18/08
In reference to Hillary:
“She’s got the kitchen sink flying, and the china flying, and the, you know, the buffet is coming at me.” 4/20/08
“You challenge the status quo and suddenly the claws come out.” — 2/7/08 Tulane University
“I understand that Senator Clinton, periodically when she’s feeling down, launches attacks as a way of trying to boost her appeal.” 2/15/08
Nothing to say apart from Obama will win and you guys will realise your posts are worthless.
Jonny
Stating facts and rebutting lies is never worthless. But, of course, you’re too stupid to realize it.
Spoken like a true Islamic Arab- Obama (Barry) Soreto, Hussein, whatever. His name means “Crooked” man! Who would ever vote for a non-American? Both parents were NOT Americans-one an atheist, one Lou Tribesman (rich oilman)and his cousin Obinda is killing non-Islamics like cattle.(very graphic)
http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/kenyas_killing_fields/
Do you know the word for us Americans? Their favorite word is PIGs of the west and our heads will be cut off like dead fish in thrown into the seas? His law school paid for by Arabs-his staff all arabs.This is very graphic: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ocU5x_03MDM
So all you demos get your turbins;and you PIG demo women get your vails and get ready to be circumsized. Women are third on the rank. We’re below a goat. Dearborn, MI (is GONE..more Arabs than England). They’ve taken over Europe. Brits can’t fly their flag-it offends the Islamics. France, Netherlands, good-bye. He is another Hitler. History is repeating itself. He saw a crack and crawled in. This is a plan. They hate the JEWs and the Christains. The black vote is being stolen by this man. The arabs are very cunning. They’ve taken black slaves for generations (faithfreedon.org) and now they are doing it again. But, they want a champion, who cares if he smokes cracks, and was one of 4 senators to vote NOT to make English our national language? He voted for illegal immigration NOT for latios but to let more Islamics into the country. Read what he told his cousin. And, why does he still have an Indonesian passport?? He needs to be deported along with his cabinet member Farakhan. America we must fight! They are after our country!
http://www.debbieschlussel.com/archives/2008/09/disturbing_musl.html
he still thinks we have 57 states? Did you know about the DREAM act and the SEA Treaty? He wants to tax our Oceans and Seas.
Look what he did to south Chicago!
John, your anger over the disintegration of ????? ???? ???? bid for POTUS is fascinating. It was just a few months ago when you said you were delighted that Republicans were afraid of ????? ???? ???? winning in November. It appears you are expressing the same fear as ????? ???? ????, his handlers, and his adoring press.
For a privileged white boy, that attended private school in an affluent area of Dallas, your rich white guilt is on display. Who knew a Marxist candidate and his dopey followers had it so bad?
*footnote*
Pity, the ???? above was the correct spelling of Barack Hussein Obama, in Arabic, but WP wouldn’t allow it.
But a series of question marks is appropriate for B-HO, as his adoring press won’t ask any. They are too busy giving proctology exams to Alaskan Mooses.
Carol Fowler is more of a man than B-HO.
See how easy that was?
She’s still busted for being a hack, but because she apologized so quickly, it will be out of the news cycle by the morning.
B-HO needs a key to his testicle lock box.
Could this be B-HO’s Macaca moment?
If it continues into another news cycle, it very well could.
bomma is a smarmy shit. He knows what he is doing. Smug, smart-assed shit.
Jarzemsky, how old are you? 23 or so? Still live with mommy at home?
you git the basement? Does dada know you are using his computer?
No2, I typed ‘butch haircut’ in Google and Fowler’s pic came up. hah, hah,
Pat, get your tinfoil hat put back on, some of the beams are getting through. JonJon, fuck you.
ya’ll have a great day.
Thank you, No2L. I forgot these idiotic sexist remarks that Obama made about Gov. Palin:
Repeatedly referring to Gov. Palin as the “mayor of Wasilla.”
Repeatedly referring to Gov. Palin as the “lieutenant governor” of the state.
Anon, yeah, he does one show each night, and two on Saturdays, pitching the veal.
(the second show is a little blue)
B-HO also has referred to her home town as Wasilly.
He can’t help it, he’s in over his head and has always known it, but thought he could fake his way through, like he has everything else he’s done.
Having recognized his ineptitude, long ago, I’m actually dreading seeing him try and debate Mc, after seeing him being field dressed at Saddleback, and processed like a deer at a meat plant by O’Reilly.
John McCain hits back at Gordon Brown’s praise of Barack Obama.
That headline isn’t indicative of how hysterically funny the story actually is. It must be that all leftards in the UK are this foolish.
BAH-HAH-HA-HA-HA!
B-HO can’t even get a meaningless endorsement without screwing it up with another of his flip-flops.
Oh man, I never thought this campaign would be this much fun. I can hardly wait to see what the goofball says Thursday.
/try the veal
Actually No2, I have to disagree with you on the Obama/O’Reilly interview. I think O’Reilly’s style was self-serving and quite frankly, put me off. On the other hand, I got sick of hearing Obama go but..but..but..but..but.. (I think he does it five times every time). I think it was handled in such an unprofessional manner on both sides that it was totally lost on the public.
Unless they give Obama the questions in advance (and yes, I believe this could happen), he’s going to do terrible in the debates.
Dianne, I didn’t watch it in person, just selected clips, as I don’t care for O’Reilly that much, and thoroughly detest B-HO.
Some of the segments I saw were just laughable, such as B-HO trying to explain why taxing people more, and redistributing it to others was a good idea, or trying to explain his associations with the whack-jobs he has aligned with over the past twenty years. O’Reilly even started laughing at him, at one point.
Big stage productions with prepared speeches and teleprompters is the only venue that works in B-HO’s favor, and against Mc.
The more informal, extemporaneous setting works for Mc, and not B-HO. The debates will be like watching sausage be made.
McCain has become quite the politician since he got his party’s nomination; he has proven time and again that his strategy for winning depends on personal attacks and distracting people from the main issues… i just hope people aren’t as gullible as McCain seems to think they are
Well, they, and we, are not as gullible as YOU. Obama and his slimey obamabots have done nothing but personnel attacks and lies against McCain and Palin including lying and attacking her family. My God, you shits have even started websites mocking her baby’s and all children with Downs. How sick is that?
If you were so interested in discussing the issues, you wouldn’t be pulling this shit nonstop. Of course, you’re idea of “issues” is chanting hope, change, hopey change over and over again.