The Palin Obama Pig Thread

[fossten]

Obama opens door...into face. Again.

 

[LincolnLSE]

Obama opens door...into face. Again.

LOL... Poor Obama. He continues to dig his own grave. It's really too bad that he is having difficulty raising campaign funding these days... I guess that means fewer McCain attack ads to potentially embarrass himself with.

 

[foxpaws]

McCain himself used the exact same phrase to describe Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's health care plan just last year. "I think they put some lipstick on a pig, but it's still a pig," McCain said in October of 2007, describing Clinton's universal health care plan when she was running in the Democratic primary. He also, in February 2007, used the phrase to describe conflict over a resolution on the Iraq War. "It gets down to whether you support what is being done in this new strategy or you don't," McCain said at the time. "You can put lipstick on a pig, [but] it's still a pig, in my view."

Washington Post By Anne E. Kornblut and Michael Shear

The whole 'pig' thing has been done before in blogs and forums - 11 months ago - and with the same results this current flap will - it is just a saying - actually Obama uses it quite a bit - obviously McCain does - in both cases they of course weren't speaking about their opponent. In both cases it got nervous giggles from the audience.

The McCain/Palin campaign will just be seen as being silly if they go down this road...

So - rather than smoke and mirrors let's talk earmarked funds in Alaska - maybe some policy, or heck - I think I will go back to Steve McQueen, the Thomas Crown affair, a glass of wine, 'wall to wall carpet' and a great game of chess.

 

[MonsterMark]

The McCain/Palin campaign will just be seen as being silly if they go down this road...

I told my wife and her friend about the latest Obama foot-in-mouth episode. I read them the whole statement. They were appalled and said Obama was referring to Palin on purpose because she just used the lipstick line to great applause during her speech which most women have now heard.

To say this will be seen as silly is silly. Women are getting really pissed off.

I'm waiting for Biden to really step in it, especially after the drunk has a few cocktails in him.

 

[foxpaws]

Best to find out what the 'flap' is all about...

"We've been talking about change when we were up in the polls and when we were down in the polls," Senator Obama told a rally in Virginia.

"The other side, suddenly, they're saying 'we're for change too'. Now think about it, these are the same folks that have been in charge for the last eight years.

"You can put lipstick on a pig. It's still a pig. You can wrap up an old fish in a piece of paper and call it change. It's still going to stink after eight years. We've had enough," he said to instant applause.

Hum - I think you call those homilies - both candidates use them. If the McCain campaign jumps on this and continues to avoid the issues, it will only end up hurting them - they will appear petty and trite. And odd, no women I know are upset about this. I guess it is all in 'who you know'.

So, you didn't even come close to looking at earmark spending in Alaska - did you know that Palin kept all that earmarked money that was set for the 'bridge to nowhere'

She didn't give it back...

 

[fossten]

Best to find out what the 'flap' is all about...

"We've been talking about change when we were up in the polls and when we were down in the polls," Senator Obama told a rally in Virginia.

"The other side, suddenly, they're saying 'we're for change too'. Now think about it, these are the same folks that have been in charge for the last eight years.

"You can put lipstick on a pig. It's still a pig. You can wrap up an old fish in a piece of paper and call it change. It's still going to stink after eight years. We've had enough," he said to instant applause.

Hum - I think you call those homilies - both candidates use them. If the McCain campaign jumps on this and continues to avoid the issues, it will only end up hurting them - they will appear petty and trite. And odd, no women I know are upset about this. I guess it is all in 'who you know'.

So, you didn't even come close to looking at earmark spending in Alaska - did you know that Palin kept all that earmarked money that was set for the 'bridge to nowhere'

She didn't give it back...

Yes, please bring up earmarks, Team Obama...

Thank you ever so much! :bowrofl:

Captain Earmark: Palin can’t just reinvent herself on earmarks

posted at 4:30 pm on September 8, 2008 by Allahpundit

I’m at a loss, and not just because I already wrote about this on Saturday. Not only does this tool inexplicably insist on stoking the inexperience comparisons to Palin by attacking the bottom of the ticket; not only is he hopelessly compromised on this subject, in stark contrast to McCain; but he also cynically “reinvented” himself a few months ago as an earmark reformer after spending years carving off chunks of pork for his buddies and moneymen. What’s next? A press conference with Wright and Pfleger at Trinity to knock Palin’s church for being “eccentric”?

Well, how about Gov. Palin? She’s you know, an up and comer [hey, is that code for uppity?] from Alaska. She - they’re starting to run an ad now saying she opposed the bridge to nowhere. Well now, let’s get the facts clear here. When she was mayor, she hired a Washington lobbyist to get earmarks - pork barrel spending - all the things that John McCain says is bad, she lobbied to get! And got a whole lot of it. When it came to the bridge to nowhere, she was for it until everybody started raising a fuss about it and she started running for governor and then suddenly she was against it!

You remember that? For it before you were against it? I mean you can’t just make stuff up. You can’t just recreate yourself. You can’t just reinvent yourself. The American people aren’t stupid.

So saith The One, after having spent the better part of three months recreating and reinventing himself on issues great and small.

Exit question one: If the Democrats think Palin’s record on the bridge to nowhere is a winner, how come they’re flushing webpages about it down the toilet? And exit question two: What’s with the patronizing “up and comer” language? That’s the second time he’s tried to diminish her in a week.

Update: I linked this in a previous post too but it bears repeating: Which party’s ticket can boast not one but two people who supported the bridge to nowhere? Hint: Not the GOP’s. *owned*

Update: "I thought he wouldn't want to go there."

At a rally in swing state Missouri, the Republican presidential nominee and his running mate accused Obama of requesting nearly $1 billion in earmarks for his state during his time as a senator.

 

[MonsterMark]

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

The way he delivered the line is important here.

It was: "You can put lipstick on a pig"...pause....followed by cheering and clapping...pause.. completion of phrase.

His expression during the delivery of his sentence tells all.

 

[foxpaws]

Fossten,

I never said that both sides weren't at fault on the earmark issue - I just thought it odd that Palin trounced on it hard and heavy - even though her record certainly wasn't spotless on this account, in fact, the 'poster boy' of bad earmarked spending is the Bridge to Nowhere. Obama's isn't squeeky clean on this subject either. Earmarked spending has degraded into partisian politics of the worse kind, I was simply pointing out that perhaps if you live in a glass house - you should watch those stones (whoops - a homily - no doubt I have offended you because you live in a spectacular glass home overlooking the lovely Falls of Ohio.)

McCain however has a very good record on voting against earmarked spending - with Arizona getting only small amounts of government funds this way while he has been in office. And I do like his line item veto approach on this subject.

And while we are at it - since we look at records - Palin secured earmarks for the quaint berg of Wassilla that were double the average per capita for Alaska, and 20 times the average per capital nationwide.

In 2007 she asked for 254 million in earmarks for Alaska - and this year (2007) 197 million - for a total of 451 million in 2 years for a state with a population of approximately 1/2 million. That equals out to $451 per person, per year.

Take your $1 billion quote for Obama - which happens to be over 8 years - for a state with an average population of 12.5 million over the years Obama served. Quick - do the math (I have a calculator... if you need it) for a big total of $10 per person.

However, we probably shouldn't go into Biden territory here (although I am sure you will happily) it is rather embarrassing for the dems...

I just thought that the GOP should let McCain take the lead on this subject... And maybe you should concede that Palin certainly shouldn't be held as a shining star on this particular subject, you have brighter stars.

Shag, hmmm, you don't remember the bumperstickers that proudly proclaimed - "Don't blame me I voted for McGovern"? and "Don't blame me, I live in Massachusetts"? I hope history isn't going to repeat itself...

Landslide - I don't think Obama will get one in his victory, but you never know -

 

[cammerfe]

Lipstick on a Pig

Best to find out what the 'flap' is all about...

"We've been talking about change when we were up in the polls and when we were down in the polls," Senator Obama told a rally in Virginia.

"The other side, suddenly, they're saying 'we're for change too'. Now think about it, these are the same folks that have been in charge for the last eight years.

"You can put lipstick on a pig. It's still a pig. You can wrap up an old fish in a piece of paper and call it change. It's still going to stink after eight years. We've had enough," he said to instant applause.

Hum - I think you call those homilies - both candidates use them. If the McCain campaign jumps on this and continues to avoid the issues, it will only end up hurting them - they will appear petty and trite. And odd, no women I know are upset about this. I guess it is all in 'who you know'.

So, you didn't even come close to looking at earmark spending in Alaska - did you know that Palin kept all that earmarked money that was set for the 'bridge to nowhere'

She didn't give it back...

Once Gov Palin used the line about lipstick in her speech, any such reference by Osama---oops, put a 'b' in there---should have immediately been recognized as off limits to any D'crat. If big 'O' doesn't realize that any reference such as he used is seen as calling her a pig, he's even more useless verbally than he's been so far.
KS

 

[Calabrio]

I think the Obama gaffe was unintentional.
If not, what was he trying to do, call Sarah Palin a pig?
That's doubtful.

I know there's a double standard, but I don't want to engage in that hypersensitivity that is so often advanced by the perpetual victims in the DNC. That idiot Governor of NY, Patterson, is now trying to say that Republicans are using the term "community organizer" as a subtle racist code for "black."

But I've long thought that this race has strong likelihood to resemble the McGovern race. Had they not had such ramped up security, I figured the convention might have looked like '68.

 

[MonsterMark]

...

 

[fossten]

The only problem with you 'pig' deniers (just kidding) is that Bob Beckel, a Democrat strategist, also called Palin a pig on Fox News. Clearly and deliberately. Watch the video at this link. It's possible that this is a talking point designed to garner laughter but at the same time give plausible deniability because, hey, who in their right mind would call her a pig, right?

Biden, referring to Palin, also said this:

“There’s no way you can dress up that record, even with a lot of lipstick.” Too much of a coincidence for me, all in one week.

Whether or not Obama meant that Palin is a pig is immaterial. The fact is that the video is all over the web, and it is being perceived as smear by many.

Interesting that Obama gets a pass but accuses the McCain campaign of racism all the time.

And foxpaws, I remind you that Biden and Obama both voted for the Bridge to Nowhere. Glass houses anyone?

Here's a snip from an article in the Wall Street Journal today, by Jim Demint:

Mrs. Palin used her veto pen to slash more local projects than any other governor in the state's history. She cut nearly 10% of Alaska's budget this year, saving state residents $268 million. This included vetoing a $30,000 van for Campfire USA and $200,000 for a tennis court irrigation system. She succinctly justified these cuts by saying they were "not a state responsibility."

Meanwhile in Washington, Mr. Obama voted for numerous wasteful earmarks last year, including: $12 million for bicycle paths, $450,000 for the International Peace Museum, $500,000 for a baseball stadium and $392,000 for a visitor's center in Louisiana.

Mrs. Palin cut Alaska's federal earmark requests in half last year, one of the strongest moves against earmarks by any governor. It took real leadership to buck Alaska's decades-long earmark addiction.

Mr. Obama delivered over $100 million in earmarks to Illinois last year and has requested nearly a billion dollars in pet projects since 2005. His running mate, Joe Biden, is still indulging in earmarks, securing over $90 million worth this year.

Mrs. Palin also killed the infamous Bridge to Nowhere in her own state. Yes, she once supported the project: But after witnessing the problems created by earmarks for her state and for the nation's budget, she did what others like me have done: She changed her position and saved taxpayers millions. Even the Alaska Democratic Party credits her with killing the bridge.

When the Senate had its chance to stop the Bridge to Nowhere and transfer the money to Katrina rebuilding, Messrs. Obama and Biden voted for the $223 million earmark, siding with the old boys' club in the Senate. And to date, they still have not publicly renounced their support for the infamous earmark.

Mrs. Palin has proven courageous by taking on big spenders in her own party. In March of this year, the Anchorage Daily News reported that, "Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens is aggravated about what he sees as Gov. Sarah Palin's antagonism toward the earmarks he uses to steer federal money to the state."

Mr. Obama had a chance to take on his party when Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid offered a sham ethics bill, which was widely criticized by watchdog groups such as Citizens Against Government Waste for shielding earmarks from pubic scrutiny. But instead of standing with taxpayers, Mr. Obama voted for the bill. Today, he claims he helped write the bill that failed to clean up Washington.

 

[fossten]

Here's the context of the Obama comment:

“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.”

So is Obama referring to Palin's personal hygiene, or McCain's age, or both?

As AllahPundit points out:

Now Obama and his team want to pretend that this sequence had no meaning whatsoever. It’s always difficult to gauge intent, but one would have to think Obama an idiot for not seeing the subtext of his own statement, especially since the crowd understood it all too well. Obama himself has cried about the supposed racist attacks of Republicans and the McCain campaign all summer long, without ever once giving any evidence of it, and certainly not a data point like this.

If Obama wants to argue subliminal racism, he has no defense against overt sexism now. This is his game, and he just proved himself incompetent at it.

Update (H/T Warner Todd Huston): Looks like Obama plagiarized the "facts" part of that segment:

Here's the money quote from Obama right before the "pig" statement:

John McCain says he’s about change too. Exce- and and 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 gonna shake things up in Washington.

*owned*

 

[fossten]

Remember this:

And these sexist quotes directed at Hillary:

“She’s got the kitchen sink flying, and the china flying, and the, you know, the buffet is coming at me.” — April 20

“You challenge the status quo and suddenly the claws come out.” — February, Tulane University

“I understand that Senator Clinton, periodically when she’s feeling down, launches attacks as a way of trying to boost her appeal.” — February

 

[foxpaws]

So, tell me what was different when last October McCain used the very same homily directed at Hillary and her health plan? I believe she does wear lipstick.

Oh, that's right - it's Hillary and anything goes.

And, Fossten - I don't see any rebuttals on $451 per capita vs $10 per capita...

Yes, they did both vote for the "bridge" - at least 3 of the candidates have voting records, one doesn't so she can flip and flop however the current public sentiment is blowing

 

[fossten]

So, tell me what was different when last October McCain used the very same homily directed at Hillary and her health plan? I believe she does wear lipstick.



Oh, that's right - it's Hillary and anything goes.

She hadn't made a very public and very personal lipstick joke just days before. Besides, if he didn't mean it that way, then he's a freaking incompetent boob for saying it, knowing that it would be harped on. What does that say about his readiness to be President?

And you're ignoring all the other related incidents I've pointed out. Cherry picking much?

And, Fossten - I don't see any rebuttals on $451 per capita vs $10 per capita...

Okay, how about this one. Alaska as a state is very young - only about 50 years old - and as such, doesn't have the infrastructure that most other states do. It's not out of the realm of reality that a governor can and should look to gain federal funds to improve her state in that situation. I'm not saying she's squeaky clean on earmarks LIKE MCCAIN IS. What I'm saying is that Obama's the LAST person who should be attacking her for it.

And she did ultimately kill the bridge, which would have been a bizarre and egregious waste of federal funds. Which Obama and Biden still voted for.

And if you're going to demand that I respond to every jot and tittle of your posts, you'd better start doing the same for mine. I believe I have quite a few points above that you've skipped. You'd better get busy, lady.

Yes, they did both vote for the "bridge" - at least 3 of the candidates have voting records, one doesn't so she can flip and flop however the current public sentiment is blowing

So the fact that she ultimately made the right decision isn't relevant? So the only thing that matters is words? And you're really going to go after her on flip flops? I could unload a dumpster full of Obama flipflops if you want, starting with his promise to take public financing, and continuing with his promise not to run a negative campaign, but I won't.

By the way, you do realize that she actually made a decision on the bridge, whereas Obama has voted 'present' one hundred and thirty times?

Your premise is flawed because you assume, without evidence, that she only made the decision to kill the bridge based on political winds. There is actual evidence that shows that she did it because the money could be used for more useful things.

 

[shagdrum]

Shag, hmmm, you don't remember the bumperstickers that proudly proclaimed - "Don't blame me I voted for McGovern"? and "Don't blame me, I live in Massachusetts"? I hope history isn't going to repeat itself...

Nope! Don't remember those. I was born in 1980.

But, I assume those were in reference to Watergate. That was due to Nixon's own personal failings.

In all honesty, I have thought that McCain was very much like Nixon in some ways. Both have rather public personal flaws; Nixon had his paranoia, and McCain has his temper. Both are rather moderate, politically, but seen as experts on foreign policy.

Still that is somewhat irrelevant. The Watergate thing didn't effect the election, it came after the election. We are talking about the election. It is kinda off topic; a red herring...

 

[shagdrum]

It seems this has become the "prediction" thread...

 

[TheDude]

Here's the context of the Obama comment:

“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.”

So is Obama referring to Palin's personal hygiene, or McCain's age, or both?

Or they could all be adages for 'more of the same', which coincides with his campaign logan of "say no to four more years". See?

 

[fossten]

Or they could all be adages for 'more of the same', which coincides with his campaign logan of "say no to four more years". See?

Hmm...nope. Couldn't be that. He couldn't be that stupid. Or could he? :shifty:

Also, his audience began chanting, "No more pitbulls! No more pitbulls!" Clearly they understood what he meant, and he did not dissuade them from misunderstanding the joke, did he?

 

[shagdrum]

I am hungry for some pork!

 

[foxpaws]

ohhhh, ask and ye shall receive...

Thanks for breaking the thread, oh lords of the board.

Well, make me feel old Mr Shag - at least I wasn't old enough to ever vote for Nixon or Carter...

And, David, cuddly crumbs, could you sort of list everything in one place maybe - so I can rebut, reply or agree (as you see I can - I do agree that McCain has an excellent record when it comes to earmarks - reference reply #8 above). I try not to cherry pick, but when everything is thrown at me, except the kitchen sink, I get sort of dazed and confused...

 

[fossten]

And, David, cuddly crumbs, could you sort of list everything in one place maybe - so I can rebut, reply or agree (as you see I can - I do agree that McCain has an excellent record when it comes to earmarks - reference reply #8 above). I try not to cherry pick, but when everything is thrown at me, except the kitchen sink, I get sort of dazed and confused...

Hey, take your time.

Honestly, I don't care whether you get to all my points or not. I only ask that if you demand that I answer all yours, you do the same.

I check to you...It's your option.

By the way, Lamb Chop...I already adore you because you live in Denver. Go Broncos!

 

[Marcus]

What a load of garbage. The future of our country at stake and all you twits want to talk about is a bunch of fake outrage over a common phrase uttered a thousand times a day by a thousand people.

I thought Sarah Palin was a bad-ass hockey mom who can dish it out to anybody. Can she not take it? Is she that delicate? If so, then what the f*ck is she doing on the ticket?

Do you even know if she took it as directed at herself? Is she offended by it? Has she said a thing about it? Oh wait, she's still repeating zingers from her RNC speech like a broken record. She hasn't yet been programmed to respond to questions.

How about this: REGARDLESS of his intentions, Obama doesn't owe ANYBODY an apology, and he never should. Welcome to the big leagues Sarah. If she thinks that's the worst that will come her way, she's in for a rude awakening.

In the meantime, the rest of you need to go back and look at all your vicious attacks on every aspect of Hillary's appearance, then come back and we'll talk about sexism.

 

[fossten]

YEAAARRGGH GRRROWWFFFF GRRRR BLEH RAWR GRRROWPP NNGGKK!

Aww...the mean ol' Headmaster is here to spoil our fun! Shucks, Mr. TommyB Marcus, I didn't mean nothin' by it, I's just funnin'.

In the meantime, the rest of you need to go back and look at all your vicious attacks on every aspect of Hillary's appearance, then come back and we'll talk about sexism.

Well, ya gotta admit she's scary looking.