Obama Blames Media For Uproar Over "Lipstick" Remark
(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."