Obama Blames Media For Uproar Over "Lipstick" Remark

By: Maria Gavrilovic
Topics: Barack Obama

(CBS)

From CBS News' Maria Gavrilovic:

(NORFOLK, Va.) Barack Obama blamed both the McCain campaign and the media for the controversy that has ensued after he made the "lipstick on a pig" comment in Lebanon, Va., last night.

"I want to say a little bit about the latest made up controversy by the John McCain campaign," Obama told a small crowd that had gathered to listen to his new education plan.

"They seize on an innocent remark, try to take it out of context, through up an outrageous ad because they know that its' catnip for the news media."

Obama explained that he was referring to McCain's economic policies and that the old analogy was meant to be funny, adding "it would be funny except of course the news media decided that that was the lead story yesterday."

He said the attention played right into the hands of the McCain campaign, and called their outrage over the remark "phony" and "insincere."

"Oh you know we're shocked," Obama said mockingly, "Everybody knows it's cynical! Everybody knows it's insincere. The media knows it. I mean this is a game that we play. It's a game. It's a sport."

He also ridiculed the Republicans for their response after he said McCain had lost his bearings in an interview on CNN. "They said 'why are you talking about his age?' They sent out this press release, 'Obama is attacking John McCain's age' – what are you talking about? Come on! Let's get serious."

Although Obama appeared more amused than angry by the controversy, he forcefully called for an end to political bickering.

"Enough! I don't' care what they say about me, but I love this country too much to let them take over another election with lies and phony outrage and swift boat politics."

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by blueskypie September 10, 2008 9:26 PM EDT: McCain and Palin stand before audiences and brag about their accomplishments. I have Palin memorized by now-- I put a plane on ebay, I fired the cook and saved the money, I was against the bridge to nowhere-- And the people in the audience chant USA, USA, USA. Neither one is telling how they are going to fix the economy, or bring back jobs, instead they say a bunch of cliques--we are going to clean up Washington, we are going to get rid of pork barrel spending, we are going to work across the isle, we are going to make sure nobody does what they are not supposed to do, we are going to make ''em walk in a straight line, John McCain has the experience, my friends, we are going to get create new jobs, we believe in nuclear power plants, drill baby drill. GEEZ, you would think these two frauds would be called on the carpet for having NO PLAN AT ALL!!!! It is scary to see the zombies chanting USA, USA, when their audience consists of all whites, nobody of color around and no diversity whatsoever. This is NOT the America that I know.; Reply to this comment


by viajerop September 10, 2008 7:51 PM EDT: 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. Still.

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

They''ve got nothing. "Lipstick on a Pig" is a common expression. And it had been used by Obama a dozen times before Palin came on the ticket.

For a look at the history of this expression in recent American politics, see the good article in the (I kid you not) Washington Times: http://***********/6s3tal

"Mr. McCain, meanwhile, has used the folksy saying on the campaign trail himself, including at one appearance to describe former presidential candidate Hillary Clinton''s health care plan."

As with the Swift-Boating of Kerry, it''s "game on" now. 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*.

Do Something! barack obama dot com Send ''em some coin or volunteer, please. And hope they get some fire in their bellies.; Reply to this comment


by standlee5 September 10, 2008 6:56 PM EDT: If I was Obama I''d be careful not to get on the bad side of the media. They''ve given him a free pass so far. I''ve not once heard any anchor ask him what exactly he accomplished in his organizer days. Nor have I heard any of them recognize that the guy has no record. But they have plenty of mud to throw at Sarah Palin.; Reply to this comment


by memekiller September 10, 2008 6:19 PM EDT: He makes a good point. If no double standard existed, we would clearly have the media discussion whether Palin is a "child molester". That is the exact term a judge used to describe what she was doing in Troopergate, and far exceeds the basis for the claims emanating from the McCain camp.

Why shouldn''t McCain lie? There is no consequence for doing so among journalists. Why would Obama use this fact, that is indisputable, about Palin? Because those same journalists would crucify him for it.; Reply to this comment


by amnstymccain September 10, 2008 6:07 PM EDT: George Bush has been in office for 7 1/2 years. The first six the economy was fine.
Posted by McCainvoter1 at 02:38 PM : Sep 10, 2008
*** No it wasn''t! The economy in 2001 was HORRIBLE! That is why we got the economic stimulous that year also! Bush only cares about the upper one precent of wealthy americans! Wake up! Unless you are wealthy, there is no reason to vote for Amnesty Mccain! If you think the economy is bad now, wait until amnesty mccain gives amnesty/citizenship to over 20 million illegal latinos!!!!; Reply to this comment


by basementfrog September 10, 2008 5:42 PM EDT: McCain and Palin sure employ the same tactics as Bush and Cheney. So they are suppost to be a change?

The truth is (an Obama never said it) McCain is the pig and Palin is his lipstick. Now there is some truth!

McCains use of term %u201C Lipstick on a pig%u201D against Hillary.

McCain himself has used the same phrase not once, not twice, but at least three times.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WMPYkNQlJMM

The first one is the one that''s gotten all the attention: McCain using the phrase last October to describe Hillary''s health plan. But there are two more examples.

At a press conference on Iraq war strategy on February 1, 2007, McCain said:

"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."

McCain said the phrase again that same day in a similar context:

"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."; Reply to this comment


by hillarynow September 10, 2008 5:38 PM EDT: 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 %u2014 %u201CThe President has lead with great clarity and I think he%u2019s done a great job leading the country don%u2019t you all?%u201D John McCain %u2014 %u201CThe 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%u201D You will regret your vote if you make the mistake of voting for the two liars McCain and Palin that claim to put %u2018Country First%u2019 instead of the American PEOPLE.

Obama / Biden All the Way!!; Reply to this comment


by mccainvoter1 September 10, 2008 5:38 PM EDT: ...facts are facts!! This has to make you think a little bit, if not then keep your blinders on!
George Bush has been in office for 7 1/2 years. The first six the economy was fine.
A little over one year ago: 1) Consumer confidence stood at a 2 1/2 year high;
2) Regular gasoline sold for $2.19 a gallon; 3) the unemployment rate was 4.5%. 4) the DOW JONES hit a record high--14,000 + 5) American''s were buying new cars, taking cruises, vacations overseas, living large!...
But American''s wanted ''CHANGE ''! So, in 2006 they voted in a Democratic Congress & yep--we got ''CHANGE'' all right. In the PAST YEAR 1) Consumer confidence has plummeted ; 2) Gasoline is now over $4 a gallon & climbing!; 3) Unemployment is up to 5% (a 10% increase); 4) Americans have seen their home equity drop by $12 TRILLION DOLLARS & prices still dropping 5) 1% of American homes are in foreclosure.
YEP , IN 2006 AMERICA VOTED FOR CHANGE!...AND WE SURE GOT IT!!!....NOW OBAMA, the DEM''S CANDIDATE FOR PRESIDENT--AND THE POLLS SAY HE''S GONNA BE ''THE MAN''--CLAIMS HE''S GONNA REALLY GIVE US CHANGE!!....JUST HOW MUCH MORE ''CHANGE'' DO YA THINK YOU CAN STAND???.....
Just a little food for thought folks...Go ahead and Google it is you don''t believe me. Everyone looks at the president as the cause of our problems. Well guess what... congress has to approve everything the president does. INCLUDING OUR BUDGET!; Reply to this comment


by luvienne September 10, 2008 4:24 PM EDT: The Palin-mccain campaign don''t have answers to America''s healthcare,energy, tax issues so they keep voters distracted with comments he uses himself. Of course the Republican controlled media is going to keep this going for the ratings.; Reply to this comment


by mattcat25 September 10, 2008 4:19 PM EDT: Why would the Republicans want to change anything that they%u2019ve worked so hard to construct over the last 8 years of the Conservative Agenda?

We%u2019ve witnessed the top 1% increase their wealth hand over fist simultaneously in accordance with tax breaks. The Republicans started a war against a sovereign country that didn%u2019t pose an immediate threat to the US, then privatized the war as much as possible and sustained the military progression without end to perpetuate the flow of revenues all to the cost of the American Tax Payers to tune of $552,874,390,240 today.

We%u2019ve witnessed deregulation in the home mortgage market that has resulted in record foreclosures and bank failures.

We%u2019ve seen the Richard Cheney Energy Program work as an invisible tax on everything that we have to buy to survive.

Republicans have embellished their own wealth while rerouting capital away from the American Working Class and they%u2019re not finished.

A pig is a pig by any other name.; Reply to this comment