WASHINGTON – Barack Obama stuck his foot in his mouth today when he said “you can put lipstick on a pig, but it’s still a pig” – which the angry McCain campaign immediately charged was an out-of-bounds attack on running mate Sarah Palin.
Obama delivered the line while campaigning in Lebanon, Va., tearing into his rivals for not representing real change.
“You know, you can put lipstick on a pig,” Obama said, “but it’s still a pig.”
He added, “You can wrap an old fish in a piece of paper called ‘change.’ It’s still gonna stink after eight years.”
Many in the Obama crowd leaped to their feet in delight – apparently taking the “pig” comment as a direct slam at Palin.
One of her most memorable lines during her vice-presidential acceptance speech at the GOP convention last week was the ad lib: “What’s the difference between a hockey mom and a pit bull? Lipstick” – which drew huge cheers from the GOP faithful.
Former Massachusetts Gov. Jane Swift, speaking on behalf of the McCain campaign, quickly called on Obama to apologize.
“It’s disgraceful. Sen. Obama owes Gov. Palin an apology,” Swift said.
“This is just the latest in a series of comments that females like me will find offensive . . . There’s only one woman in the race. It’s hard to think this was directed at anybody other than Gov. Palin.”
Obama’s campaign spokesman insisted he wasn’t referring to Palin with the line, calling it an old expression.
The Obama camp has struggled with how to handle Palin since GOP nominee John McCain made the surprising pick for his ticket. Palin gave the McCain campaign new energy, evidenced by a jump in the polls, a surge in volunteers, and big crowds.
Recent polls show the race to be a dead heat or McCain with a slight lead, while the Republicans have gained among white women and independents since the Palin pick.
But after Obama focused his attacks on McCain, in recent days he and running mate Joe Biden have been ratcheting up their direct hits on Palin.
Obama has drawn laughs at his rallies by describing her as a “moose shooter,” even as he assures his audience he is complimenting her for her background and accomplishments.
In Farmington Hills, Mich., a crowd booed on Monday when Obama first mentioned Palin’s name and laughed when he said she had a compelling biography.
“Whatever,” an audience member shouted, as Obama tried to continue.
And in Dayton, Ohio, today, another Obama crowd cheered “No pit bulls! No pit bulls!” – a reference to Palin’s joke.
ncG1vNJzZmimqaW8tMCNnKamZ2JlfXl7j3JmaXFfpK%2BiucBmp66sXaG2sb%2FTopqkZZ%2BjeqJ5z6KeZqGkqHq0wMilo2aZXaW2qHs%3D