September 10, 2008

And the McCain campaign is not giving Obama a pass on the Lipsticked Pig remark.



(Via HotAir.)

I'm surprised the campaign is forthrightly using this material, and it's interesting to see how they've chosen to do it. It's a skillful presentation the 2 "lipstick" remarks. Palin's line, beautifully delivered, has a charming self-referential humor. It's a cute, folksy boast that is also self-effacing.

Obama's line is intended to be mean. If it doesn't refer to Palin -- and the intertitle tells us it does -- then it's just an old cliché. His delivery feels off. He stammers before he says "You can put lipstick on a pig," as if he lacks full confidence in what he's about to say. Then he scratches his forehead while he pauses, and the audience laughs. Only then does he go on to say "it's still a pig," after which he puts his hand in his pocket. I can see how that pause cues to the audience that this is where you're supposed to laugh, and they do laugh. The punchline of the old cliché is "it's still a pig," not "you can put lipstick on a pig." So the pause -- as well the forehead scratching -- suggest that Obama wanted people to think about Palin as the pig wearing lipstick.

In any case, Katie Couric pops up in the end to instruct us that sexism has been at play in this election.

The ad is essentially saying: Here's the evidence. Make up your own mind.

UPDATE: Hey, the McCain ad is no longer available, and I can't find it on the McCain YouTube page. Did the campaign take it down? Does someone have a link to it elsewhere? I am seeing this new ad, which, in a more general way, complains about attacks on Palin.

AND: I'm moving the new ad to a new post, since there are already over 200 comments here.

AND: Here's Katie Couric in the original context, which is commenting on the sexism aimed at Hillary Clinton.

288 comments:

1 – 200 of 288   Newer›   Newest»
Anonymous said...

Terrible ad. This thing called for a Reaganesque jab -- say, on a talk show -- and nothing more.

The moment's over. Let it go into the ether. Rise above.

MagicalPat said...

His timing is almost identical to the timing he used when he gave Hillary the finger. The smile on his face lets the audience know he is fully aware of what he is doing.

Henry said...

And the ad is very very short. Editing is good.

Hopefully, this is all the attention the McCain campaign will pay to Obama's screw-up. It really is trival stuff.

Gaffe. Conterpunch. Wrap. (Hopefully.)

Anonymous said...

Seven (unlikely) Machos say, "The moment's over. Let it go into the ether. Rise above."

The hell it is! They should hammer BO relentlessly on this.

Fen said...

Effective ad, and I watched it with the belief that it would be stupid for McCain to respond. But

It contrasts Palin as endearing and Obama as course.

Obama has a problem with Women. Spotlighting it everytime he misteps will remind the public of this.

Fen said...

The hell it is! They should hammer BO relentlessly on this.

See Seven? Even if you're right, you're wrong. A significant number of voters are livid about this. Fair or not.

kent said...

The One's serious (and inexplicable) problem with being confronted or opposed by strong women of any stripe is already a well-documented one.

Henry said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Revenant said...

See Seven? Even if you're right, you're wrong. A significant number of voters are livid about this. Fair or not.

That's another reason for McCain NOT to hammer it. The people who are going to get pissed about this are already pissed. They don't need McCain or Palin to complain on their behalf.

Palin's image is of a tough lady, not some whiny debutante who needs chivalrous men to defend her. They need to be careful not to screw up that image.

Henry said...

Yachira wrote: "They should hammer BO relentlessly on this."

There's just not much there to hammer. If the McCain campaign pays any more attention to the Lipsticked Pig remark than this, they'll start looking as petty and obsessed as a leftwing intellectual. I'm with Seven. Let it go. Obama is sure to have more gaffes before this is over.

Anonymous said...

It was stupidest of all to make an ad because now McCain no longer has the option to rise above. The ad ties him to the issue.

Do you people not even remember three weeks ago when McCain was utterly irrelevant?

Fen said...

They need to be careful not to screw up that image

Oh I agree, I was just expecting this ad-response to be a disaster. It wasn't.

I'm betting Sarah will respond more directly, with an off-hand joke at a rally or somesuch.

Dust Bunny Queen said...

Obama is an arrogant sexist pig (sans lipstick)


It was a deliberate insult directed at Palin and women will not forget this along with all the other insults and demeaning behaviour he has exibited towards Hillary and women in general. The man is a pig.

If his campaign had any sense they would cease even discussing Palin. But...they just can't help themselves.

holdfast said...

That was fun, but time for McPalin to move on - leave Obambi sputtering to explain a controversy that his opponents aren't even talking about.

Really, this is all about the Repubs being more agile, hitting fast then moving on. The Obama still has a big fan base in the media, but if McCain's campaign can move quickly, and jab with some humor, then the lefty journalists will be unable to overcome their jackal-like instincts - everyone loves to pile on a buffoon. This is what sunk Kerry - the guy just took himself so seiously. The media might like liberals, but they also love puncturing the self important (while never seeing the irony of that).

Not only does Obama take himslef too seriously, but his sycophants take him way too seriously.

Swifty Quick said...

The moment's over. Let it go into the ether. Rise above.

Nah. Today Obama is out there trying to posture himself as being the victim in this whole thing. To me not only does the ad do what it obviously does an a superficial level, it does something else on a subliminal level. Everybody knows Obama and his minions take great clamorous offense at any slight perceived as anything even remotely racial. Sometimes even things racially neutral are accused of being racist. So then when you lay this pig thing down alongside that whole hypersensitivity to racism, the disconnect is glaringly huge.

Anonymous said...

Thank you, Rev. One of the reasons Obama has tanked is because his brand has come apart. Hope and change have given way to the standard litany of leftism. What happens when McCain is seen as someone who is part of the fray and Palin is seen as a whiner?

What is the benefit of this issue at this point, other than allowing a certain segment of seething conservatives to feel more seething glee?

Fen said...

Seven, I understand where you're coming from re mountain/molehill, and normally the best advice would be to rise above, but

I'd like to hear from the target audience first. It may resonate. The ad is directed at women, and since Team McCain just pulled a 20 point swing with them, I think they have a better grasp of the tactical field.

Randy said...

Obama's response to the criticism:

"Spare me the phony outrage. Spare me the phony knee talk about change," Obama said at the beginning of an education event in Virginia. "We have real problems in this country right now. The American people are looking to us for answers, not distractions, not diversions, not manipulations. They want real answers to the real problems we are facing."

chickelit said...

Guilty as charged.

Fen said...

I'm just saying, because the response I've gotten from women over this still surprises me.

Something is coming.

It ends with "down ticket disaster"

Unknown said...

Women sure are sensitive and whiny. That's why they're not fit to lead. Can you imagine Palin against Putin? She'd go home crying as soon he raised his voice.

Anonymous said...

If McCain and Palin don't talk about this, it doesn't mean that the public won't talk about it. McCain doesn't need to issue a statement like Obama did (according to someone in this thread). He can even have his staff encourage talk radio people to go apeshit, which they probably will without encouragement until February, anyway.

The two candidates, however, need to drop it. No more talk but well-placed humorous talk and certainly no more ads.

Fen said...

Obama: We have real problems in this country right now. The American people are looking to us for answers, not distractions, not diversions, not manipulations. They want real answers to the real problems we are facing."

So why were you comparing Sarah to a pig in the first place?

Is "lipstick" a real answer to a real question?

Idiot. His strings are slack, maybe his handlers are out on the window ledge.

Anonymous said...

I tell you who are sensitive and whiny: gay men.

kent said...

I'd like to hear from the target audience first.

Done.

holdfast said...

dtl - well, considering that your brain is wired much more like a woman's than mine is - what exactly does that say about you?

rhhardin said...

I liked it. It highlights Obama's wretched rhetoric against Palin's self-deprecating humor with the same material. Humor the left can't do.

It hasn't really much to do with pig except as accidental content, as to its effectiveness.

Couric then plonks a PC blessing on the ad.

kent said...

Women sure are sensitive and whiny. That's why they're not fit to lead.

Obama: Unplugged.

MadisonMan said...

I don't want real answers! I want to decide the election on this! How one uses lipstick in a sentence is of vital importance.

Some more questions for Sarah Palin: How did the debt for your town change while you were mayor? Did taxes go up or go down? How about after you left?

kjbe said...

with all the other insults and demeaning behaviour he has exibited towards Hillary and women in general. The man is a pig.

You're talking about McCain, right?

MagicalPat said...

I think this may be targeted to Hillary voters. Let me count the ways:

1)Giving Hillary the finger.
2)"You're likable enough Hillary"
3)"Periodically when Hillary is feeling blue"
4)"She's throwing dishes, pots, pans and the kitchen sink."
5)"That's when the claws come out."

It's either intentional or he is clueless.

Dust Bunny Queen said...

Women sure are sensitive and whiny. That's why they're not fit to lead. Can you imagine Palin against Putin? She'd go home crying as soon he raised his voice.

Pretty obvious that you (downtown) know nothing about women. When insulted and mistreated, most women may become silent or seem to back down for a while, but I assure you....we are plotting our revenge and it will come not from the front, but at your blind side.

Women are devious and vicious when angered. And proud of it.

Anonymous said...

The point of the ad is to keep Obama on defense.

Obama has been playing defense since Palin's announcement, now he has to explain his remarks and assure people he is not a sexist pig, rather than talk about his message and agenda.

White women have moved to the McCain/Palin ticket in huge numbers, and the campaign obviously wants to keep the women on their side now.

Expect future gaffes by The One to be featured prominently in ads that question his readiness to lead. If the primary topic of the election is Obama's readiness to lead, then McCain wins easily.

These ads also will plant seeds of doubt in Obama's mind when he tries to go on the attack in the future by forcing him to overanalyze what he is about to say.

McCain/Palin are mind f@#$ing the boy and he does not have the experience to deal with it effectively.

kjbe said...

I don't want real answers! I want to decide the election on this! How one uses lipstick in a sentence is of vital importance.

Good thing the economy isn't in the tank and we're not at war...

Unknown said...

I think its ok to take a jab (and it won't be otherwise mentioned by the MSM if they didn't), by tomorrow we'll be on to how Palin does in her interview and how we are going to pay for a trillion dollar health care program with a 100 billion dollar tax increase on the rich and a tax credit for 95% of Americans.

Well maybe not the latter.

Unknown said...

Spare me the phony outrage.

OK, that's fair. How about the real outrage, then? It does seem there's plenty of it.

Unknown said...

The Obama pigorama is good for 1 or 2 news cycles. Anymore time they spend on this will be construed as victimhood. The message will be delivered the and damage will be done.

Unknown said...

Why does Seven think a prominent blogger's son is sensitive and whiny?

TWM said...

Barry is melting. Almost total defense now. You can see it every time he speaks. My guess is McCain shreds him in all three debates and Sarah makes Biden look bad, too.

Absent some major misstep by McCain or Sarah, Barry is toast.

Amadeo said...

It is quite justified to assume that Obama's comment had Sarah Palin in mind, since as early as Sept 3rd this same joke/analogy was discussed in DU (Democratic Underground) and it referenced to the Palin pitbull/lipstick statement.

Look here to judge for yourself:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x6915478#6915540

Unknown said...

As usual, Althouse evades entirely any substance and focuses entirely on style. But this is a phony issue. Thank you, MadisonMan. There are real issues. And hasn't anyone heard this platitude before?

And did Palin call herself a female dog?

Unknown said...

Why does Seven think a prominent blogger's son is sensitive and whiny?

That's a good point; Seven, you shouldn't extrapolate from DTL and ZPS to all gay men. They're just bad apples.

the wolf said...

I'm not convinced Obama intended that remark toward Palin. In the context it was given, he was clearly referring to McCain's proposals vis-a-vis Bush policies.

Nonetheless, perception is rather more important and it's playing negatively for Obama. The ad is very effective.

What struck me most is how poorly Obama delivered the line. He looks sweaty and unsure of himself. This is the great orator? Bleh.

Rich B said...

I am reminded of the deathless remarks of Michael Ray Richardson regarding the sagging fortunes of the NY Knicks - "REPORTER: What do you think is happening to the team? RICHARDSON: The ship be sinking. REPORTER: How far can it sink? RICHARDSON: Sky's the limit."

I few more of these fish/pig remarks and that will be the crows' nest slipping beneath the waves.

Beth said...

What bullshit! There's plenty out there to complain about with sexism in the election - the Salon article by Gary Kamiya is a good example. Any questioning of Palin's being a candidate while having a special needs kid is sexism.

But really. McCain's claim to offer anything other than what we've seen for the past eight years? Lipstick on a pig. Three-day old fish in a new wrapper. Works for me.

Now Obama has called this contretemps "cat nip" - I suppose that's another coded reference to pussy?

Pfffffft. I send a big raspberry McSame's way. And anyone who's up in arms over this, who I might have thought sincerely offended on Palin's part for other attacks, I tune you out now. You've shown your drawers -- it's just politics.

Anonymous said...

And for the 80 millionth time, Downtown exhibits his bizarre inability to understand humor.

Unknown said...

I hate Obama and I am hoping he will lose. However, I am not as outraged as others. Then again, I am not a female.

However you feel, there is no denying that it was a poor choice of words for Obama. The McCain campaign is just taking advantage. You can't blame them. Obama used the economy and $5 million comment out of context. Fair is fair.

Unknown said...

Republicans sure are afraid to talk about issues or ideas.

Oh yeah - what happened to that bounce? McCain dropped in North Carolina by 16 points in one day. Rasmussen has Obama ahead again.

Republicans are always outraged about something. Someone should buy them a fainting couch. Never met a bunch of bigger whiners in my entire life.

Oh did I forget to add - sure am glad that Terry Schiavo is dead.

Blue Moon said...

Two "sports" analogies have crept into my mind lately regarding this campaign:

1. Soccer: Portugal v. Holland, 2006 World Cup. Players from both teams were trying to con the referees at every turn. Players falling down after being breathed on. Many truly vicious fouls not even called by the officials. 16 yellow cards and four red cards were issued in this match.

2. Pro wrestling: I feel like I am watching Rowdy Roddy Piper (when he was a bad guy) or the Iron Sheik vs. Hulk Hogan or the Junkyard Dog. Again, "emotional" appealing to the referee - and the referee fails to punish real fouls but misses obvious ones because he is too distracted by looking at a hot girl in the crowd to see Piper hitting Hogan with a chair. Trying to gin up the crowd by giving them a fake sense of greivance.

Oy vey! I think Lucy is about to yank the football from Charlie Brown again. "Tonight, ladies and gentlemen, Lucy will be played by Sarah Palin, and Charlie Brown will be played by Barack Obama. Misters Kerry and Bush are unavailable."

kent said...

"Spare me the phony outrage."

... and this, mind you, from the very same camp that gave us: "You know, 'community organizer' is just another way of saying 'black man.'"

They're actually (unknowingly) satirizing themselves, really, at this point.

Anonymous said...

And did Palin call herself a female dog?

If your side doesn't understand the difference between self-deprecating humor and attacking your opponent with a remark that can be misconstrued as sexist, then the election is over.

Palladian said...

I love love love that downtownlad calls women whiny!

If the pig was a male wearing lipstick, downtownlad would be having one of his logorrheic fits right about now.

Hmm, I feel like slipping in to downtownladmode:

Anyway, it should be obvious that Obama hates women. He probably hates gays too, since most black men hate gays.

Palladian said...

Faggots are always outraged about something. Someone should buy them a fainting couch. Never met a bunch of bigger whiners in my entire life.

Anonymous said...

Republicans sure are afraid to talk about issues or ideas.

We'll talk about the issues after we win the election, because that is the goal at this point.

Win, then govern.

That is normally how it works.

Sloanasaurus said...

Oh did I forget to add - sure am glad that Terry Schiavo is dead.

Wow! Pretty cool. Didn't you also recently say you were glad about all the Down babies that had been aborted?

Obama is lucky to have you on his side.

holdfast said...

I want an ad about how New Pennsylvania fits into Obama's 57 state strategy!

Revenant said...

One of the reasons Obama has tanked is because his brand has come apart.

This is the first week in... er, ever? That McCain has been doing significantly better than Obama in the polls. It is WAY too early to be talking about how Obama has "tanked".

He's certainly trending in (for him) the wrong direction, but there is still plenty of time to recover.

Anonymous said...

Beth -- Fabulous. My thoughts exactly, though I am, of course, happy with anything that will help Obama lose.

Please remember the sentiment you expressed there for the next goofy outrage du jour that happens to befall a Republican.

Palladian said...

"Oh did I forget to add - sure am glad that Terry Schiavo is dead."

Ok, that was extraordinarily random and stupid, even for you.

I give up. No one can downtownlad like downtownlad.

Did anyone ever wonder whether downtownlad is Andrew Sullivan? If you search the web for old downtownlad material, you'll find he was once fairly reasonable-– just like Andrew Sullivan. He seems to have gone cuckoo-ville at the same time that Sully did.

Simon said...

What does Althouse make of this, from Camille Paglia?

Methadras said...

downtownlad said...

Why does Seven think a prominent blogger's son is sensitive and whiny?


Maybe because he is using you as the standard? Just a guess.

Anonymous said...

Thank you, Palladian!

The Drill SGT said...

Dogwood said...
The point of the ad is to keep Obama on defense.

Obama has been playing defense since Palin's announcement, now he has to explain his remarks and assure people he is not a sexist pig, rather than talk about his message and agenda.


Dogwood has it exactly right. The Obama campaign is off its game plan, running scared. That lipstick pig line was obviously a poorly rehearsed but planned attack line. It failed. Call them on it, but drop it now.

For better or worse, the Obama campaign is going to go negative across a variety of topics as are their MSM allies. The public is sensitive to both actions, the McCain camp can call them on it, and in doing so, it instinctually makes Obama want to strike out harder because the election is slipping away.

This could turn into a rout

Bart DePalma said...

Even if this was merely one of The One's numerous extemporaneous gaffes, is Obama that much of a chowderhead that he did not pick up on why his audience raucously applauded the line and then correct the misapprehension immediately? Did Obama honestly think that this old cliche standing alone was a hilarious punch line?

Even a chowderhead politician should realize later after someone with half a brain in his campaign informed him of the misapprehension that he ought to set the facts straight. Instead, Obama is reportedly blaming Fox News for his gaffe.

What we have here is either an arrogant sexist ass or arrogant chowderhead who simply cannot admit when he made a mistake. Take your pick.

Fen said...

dtl: Republicans sure are afraid to talk about issues or ideas.

Yah right, thats why we're STILL waiting, after 7 years, for your side's long-range plan to marginalize radical Islam.

Henry said...

Beth wrote: "Any questioning of Palin's being a candidate while having a special needs kid is sexism."

I posted it in the other thread, but elsewhere in the lipstick speech, Obama describes Palin as "an interesting story:”

The crowd booed. “No, she’s new!” Obama said. “She hasn’t been on the scene, you know, she’s got five kids and my hat goes off to anybody who’s looking after five. I’ve got two and they tire Michelle and me out!”

Just curious about your take on that.

Beth said...

I'm looking in vain for conservatives raising cain a year ago when McSame used the same exact phrase to deride Hillary's healthcare. Hillary's a woman! She wears lipstick! He called her a pig!

Where oh where was the conservative anger then?

I am on board with calling out liberal sexism in this race, but when I see this, I know most of you McCain supporters are just opportunitists and you don't give a shit about sexism. This one blows the credibility out of the water.

The Drill SGT said...

Simon,

I liked the Paglia "big tent" feminism theme in that piece.

Palladian said...

"Faggots are always outraged about something. Someone should buy them a fainting couch. Never met a bunch of bigger whiners in my entire life."

I should add that I was just doing a little turnabout with downtownlad's silly twaddle. I don't actually think that faggots are the biggest whiners. Plenty of faggots are whiners, but in my experience, no more so than the general population.

Methadras said...

downtownlad said...

Republicans sure are afraid to talk about issues or ideas.


What are your issues DTL? Do we even need to showcase them for everyone too see or do we have to put the children to bed first so as to not traumatize them. You are an issue on 3 legs.

Beth said...


Please remember the sentiment you expressed there for the next goofy outrage du jour that happens to befall a Republican.


Okay, Seven. I'll put that in the IOU stack.

Palladian said...

"I'm looking in vain for conservatives raising cain a year ago when McSame used the same exact phrase to deride Hillary's healthcare. Hillary's a woman! She wears lipstick! He called her a pig!"

But Hillary is a pig, Beth. It's different.

kent said...

this, from Camille Paglia?

"The witch-trial hysteria of the past two incendiary weeks unfortunately reveals a disturbing trend in the Democratic Party, which has worsened over the past decade. Democrats are quick to attack the religiosity of Republicans, but Democratic ideology itself seems to have become a secular substitute religion. Since when did Democrats become so judgmental and intolerant? Conservatives are demonized, with the universe polarized into a Manichaean battle of us versus them, good versus evil. Democrats are clinging to pat group opinions as if they were inflexible moral absolutes. The party is in peril if it cannot observe and listen and adapt to changing social circumstances."

I see Ms. Paglia is familiar with downtownlad's work.

Anonymous said...

I hate Obama and I am hoping he will lose. However, I am not as outraged as others. Then again, I am not a female.

I'm not outraged by Obama's comments, I just think using that phrase was stupid given previous claims of sexist behavior on his part, claims made by women supporting Hillary. You know, the people he needs to win.

If allegations of sexism had not been made against him during the primaries, then his remarks would fall on deaf ears, but you can't take the remarks out of the context of his entire campaign.

Many women believe he and his campaign behaved in a sexist manner, therefore doing anything that in small ways or big reinforces those allegations is going to be detrimental to his campaign.

Unknown said...

You can't find one example of where I've ever complained. I just call a spade a spade, or a bigot a bigot, and then people get all whiny on me. Or in Palladian's case - whining for Ann to ban me.

Politics is a tough game. Especially at the Presidential level. Both Hillary and Palin have shown that they can't cut it. Insisting that Obama apologize over a cliche. Sorry - but how lame and pathetic can you get. If you can't take the heat, get out of the kitchen (oh no - downtownlad said "kitchen"! , he obviously meant "women", he's anti-woman!!!!)

Anonymous said...

And another thing: I like Zach, even if he does go insane on occasion. Downtown and Zach nave nothing in common.

holdfast said...

wyatt gwyon said...
As usual, Althouse evades entirely any substance and focuses entirely on style.


Dude, most of Obama's popularity is, and certainly his primary win was, built on nothing by his style - on substance he was no different from Clinton, Edwards or Biden. He just rode the cool hopeychange horse.

Pastafarian said...

An outstanding ad: No smarmy voice-over telling us what to think, but instead just raw footage showing us what was said, by whom.

They need to run this on network TV, not just the internet, and for a couple of days, just to make sure that everyone sees it.

They don't really need to say anything about this in their stump speeches -- they should just let this ad speak for itself.

I'm starting to wonder how any self-respecting woman could vote for Obama, to be honest. Do any female Obama supporters here care to explain how you can vote for this guy?

Palladian said...

"What are your issues DTL?"

Um, I think we have all seen enough of DTL's "issues". He has more issues and back issues than National Geographic. And, may I add, has shown his ass many more times than any "natives" depicted therein.

Revenant said...

Good thing the economy isn't in the tank

Well, it isn't. We aren't even in a recession. Things could be better, but enough with the hyperbole already.

Unknown said...

At least I'm not fat.

Unknown said...

Palladian is allowed to call gays faggots. But he should stop whining about how he has no gay friends.

Randy said...

OK, let's talk about the issues, shall we? Only two US Senators raked in more cash than Barack Obama did from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in the period 1989-2008, despite the fact that Obama was not a US Senator for 15 of those 19 years. Was Barack Obama part of the problem that left the United States government no choice but to nationalize these government-sponsored enterprises? What did Barack Obama say and do about Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and when did he say and do it?

Larry J said...

"Spare me the phony outrage. Spare me the phony knee talk about change," Obama said at the beginning of an education event in Virginia. "We have real problems in this country right now. The American people are looking to us for answers, not distractions, not diversions, not manipulations. They want real answers to the real problems we are facing."

Bullshit. Either Obama deliberately insulted her or he was too stupid to understand that what he said would be intrepreted as an insult by millions of people.

Palladian said...

"Downtown and Zach nave nothing in common."

That's absolutely right. Zach is not an anonymous coward like DTL. However crazed and shrill Zach might get, he takes responsibility for it with his own name. That means a lot. Zach is also able to be reasonable and fair at times. And Zach actually appears to have human feelings. Downtownlad seems to have lost those somewhere along the way.

Oh, and another difference is that Zach is cute. I don't know what DTL looks like, but from the bitterness and anonymity, I can't imagine it's good.

The Drill SGT said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

Actually if he wanted to insult Pallin, he should have just called her a c*unt. That's what McCain says to his wife when she's getting out of line.

Good for John McCain.

kent said...

Either Obama deliberately insulted her or he was too stupid to understand that what he said would be intrepreted as an insult by millions of people.


Too binary. Why can't it be both?

Revenant said...

Was Barack Obama part of the problem that left the United States government no choice but to nationalize these government-sponsored enterprises?

Hope and change, Randy. Hope and change. Change AND hope. No third term for Bush.

Does that answer your question?

Palladian said...

"downtownlad said...

At least I'm not fat."

How would we know? You think we're going to take your word for anything? I'm proudly fat, and have taken no measures to hide myself. How about you?

The Drill SGT said...

Simon,

As a Westerner, soldier and husband of a feminist, I also liked this Paglia section:
In the U.S., the ultimate glass ceiling has been fiendishly complicated for women by the unique peculiarity that our president must also serve as commander in chief of the armed forces. Women have risen to the top in other countries by securing the leadership of their parties and then being routinely promoted to prime minister when that party won at the polls. But a woman candidate for president of the U.S. must show a potential capacity for military affairs and decision-making. Our president also symbolically represents the entire history of the nation -- a half-mystical role often filled elsewhere by a revered if politically powerless monarch.

As a dissident feminist, I have been arguing since my arrival on the scene nearly 20 years ago that young American women aspiring to political power should be studying military history rather than taking women's studies courses, with their rote agenda of never-ending grievances. I have repeatedly said that the politician who came closest in my view to the persona of the first woman president was Sen. Dianne Feinstein, whose steady nerves in crisis were demonstrated when she came to national attention after the mayor and a gay supervisor were murdered in their City Hall offices in San Francisco. Hillary Clinton, with her schizophrenic alteration of personae, has never seemed presidential to me -- and certainly not in her bland and overpraised farewell speech at the Democratic convention (which skittered from slow, pompous condescension to trademark stridency to unseemly haste).

Feinstein, with her deep knowledge of military matters, has true gravitas and knows how to shrewdly thrust and parry with pesky TV interviewers. But her style is reserved, discreet, mandarin. The gun-toting Sarah Palin is like Annie Oakley, a brash ambassador from America's pioneer past. She immediately reminded me of the frontier women of the Western states, which first granted women the right to vote after the Civil War -- long before the federal amendment guaranteeing universal woman suffrage was passed in 1919. Frontier women faced the same harsh challenges and had to tackle the same chores as men did -- which is why men could regard them as equals, unlike the genteel, corseted ladies of the Eastern seaboard, which fought granting women the vote right to the bitter end.

PJ said...

As usual, Althouse evades entirely any substance and focuses entirely on style.

You say that like it's a bad thing.

Not to seem chivalrous or anything, but I believe that the Professor has forthrightly stated that she has a keen interest in what you call matters of "style," so you shouldn't be surprised when that's what she blogs about. It's a big internet . .

Beth said...

Henry, does she really have five kids? Wow. I hear McCain was a POW, too.

Palladian said...

Can I say again how much I love Zachary, even though I also despise him? It's weird, the proximity of love and hate.

Beth said...

"Hillary is a pig."

Oh, Palladian. Thanks for proving my theory that McCain supporters are opportunists who don't give a flying rat's ass about women or sexism.

It's comforting to know I can always count on you - a girl needs that, you know.

Methadras said...

The pig and lipstick comment is indicative of what Obama is really telling you. That the pig is really going to be him. A pig in how he is going to increase government into one. How he is going to increase your taxes and have government eat them like one. How he is going to make things like the bridge to nowhere look like buying penny candy at a 7-11 (do they still have those?). How he is going to make the pig the official mascot of the DNC by the time this is over. The pig that is going to even moreso infest your daily life with more beauroweenies, more regulation, more public union power, and basically putting the nanny in the nanny state.

What's next, he's going to dig up and resurrect Alinski and as him for more community organization pointers? Go ahead, vote for Mr. Barely and his 40 year old ideas on government. I'm sure his 12 years in the Illinois legislature and 150 days in the US Senate will come in handy.

goesh said...

- she needs to dab on some of the red stuff just before the debate starts with Biden, then turn to him and say, "bring it on, bitch"

dave in boca said...

Sarah is single-handedly arm-wrestling Obama right off of his privileged perch on top of the charisma pole.

McCain should keep hammering this clumsy tongue-twisted secret smoker on that remark while Obama retaliates against Sarah, completely losing his cool sang-froid.

I haven't had so much fun since a pig ate my little brother!

Rich B said...

Holdfast-

Those extra 7 supersecret states could be Obama's ace(s) in the hole. If he waits till the last minute (November surprise) it might be too late for McCain to challenge the validity of their votes.

In any case, somebody should tell Obama to stay away from the fish/pig stuff. Having to explain that no offense was meant (those rascally Rethugs!) is not a winning strategy.

Palladian said...

"Henry, does she really have five kids? Wow. I hear McCain was a POW, too."

I hear Obama is for hope and change and change and hope and hope and progress, and that apparently change is, like Tinkerbelle, something I can believe in.

Unknown said...

I'm not anonymous. Plenty of people know who I am. But if you think I'm going to let a psycho like Palladian find out where I live - you have got to be kidding me. This is from the psycho Republican party that engages in the politics of personal destruction - spying on people because they support SCHIP, harassing people's wives, because someone writes an article in The New Republic because they disagree with what was written, etc. Republicans are vindictive psychos and that includes Palladian.

And Palladian - I'm cute enough. And not fat.

Barry said...

First the "can't remember how many homes" vs "sleaze-begotten mansion" thing and now this? Seriously?

I can see being pissed because of some of the other attacks on Palin, but this?

It's a common phrase, especially in politics, and also used by several of the players in this particular game many times over.

I'm disgusted by the whole thing. But I just can't stop watching. How can we take either of these guys seriously after this farce we call an election?

kent said...

I hear Obama is for hope and change and change and hope and hope and progress, and that apparently change is, like Tinkerbelle, something I can believe in.


He was a community organizer, too, you know.

No, seriously. I read that, someplace. My hand to God.

kjbe said...

Palin isn't the girl next door - she is a politician. When will the media start treating her like one?

Alex said...

I have to agree with Barack, this is a phony issue. Spare your outrage wingnuts.

Palladian said...

"Oh, Palladian. Thanks for proving my theory that McCain supporters are opportunists who don't give a flying rat's ass about women or sexism."

It's a joke, Beth darling. I've defended Hillary many times on here. Just like Zach, I like her even though I think she's evil. I would much prefer her as President to Obama because, as they say, she's the pig I know.

I also haven't said I was "outraged" at Obama's silly comment. I think it's nothing, other than an extraordinarily unwise political move. But I don't fault the McCainiacs from making a fishy stink out of it. Politics ain't beanbag, whatever the fuck that means.

Sloanasaurus said...

I wish Obama would talk more about issues. Like the fact that he wants to raise our taxes, nationalize health care, and ban oil drilling.

Lets talk about how Obama supports justices like Ginsberg and JP Stevens. You remember, the same justices who voted to:

1. Give Constitutional Rights to Terrorists.

2. Take away the right for citizens to defend themselves.

3. Give the government the power to take your house if they deem your house less valuable than building a bunch of condos.

Obmama supports this crap. Why would anyone support Obama?

Lets also talk about how Obama was willing to cut funding and withdraw from Iraq and let the terrorists take over the country. That should be a good primer for future Obama decisions.

vbspurs said...

Palin's image is of a tough lady, not some whiny debutante who needs chivalrous men to defend her. They need to be careful not to screw up that image.

With respect, I speak for a lot of women (maybe not on this forum) when I say I am DEEPLY insulted as a woman by what he said.

He needs to clarify his ill-advised, and ill-timed statement.

There are times when you can take the high road. This is not one of them.

Cheers,
Victoria

Alex said...

Blogger gophermomeh said...

Palin isn't the girl next door - she is a politician. When will the media start treating her like one?

10:54 AM

Agreed. Enough of the kid gloves approach to Palin. The Democrats have to stop being so nice.

Palladian said...

"And Palladian - I'm cute enough. And not fat."

The word "enough" in there is telling. Enough = saggy leather pancake.

Methadras said...

Beth said...

I'm looking in vain for conservatives raising cain a year ago when McSame used the same exact phrase to deride Hillary's healthcare. Hillary's a woman! She wears lipstick! He called her a pig!

Where oh where was the conservative anger then?

I am on board with calling out liberal sexism in this race, but when I see this, I know most of you McCain supporters are just opportunitists and you don't give a shit about sexism. This one blows the credibility out of the water.


Beth, you are running the risk of becoming known as a single issue commenter.

Oh wait...

Beth said...

Palladian, I was joking with you -- being opportunistic, as it were. But apparently not well. I do think this is opportunistic blathering, but was only using your joke to poke a little fun at it.

Perhaps I need more coffee.

Anonymous said...

You know how they advise a woman on a dinner date to order dessert to reassure the guy that she's not weight-obsessive? Well, Palin needs to laugh this off to reassure us all that she's not an identity-politics harpy.

Anonymous said...

Why style matters:

One thing is needful.— To "give style" to one's character—a great and rare art! It is practiced by those who survey all the strengths and weaknesses of their nature and then fit them into an artistic plan until every one of them appears as art and reason and even weaknesses delight the eye. Here a large mass of second nature has been added, there a piece of original nature has been removed:—both times through long practice and daily work at it. Here the ugly that could not be removed is concealed, there it has been reinterpreted and made sublime. Much that is vague and resisted shaping has been saved and exploited for distant views:—it is meant to beckon toward the far and immeasurable. In the end, when the work is finished, it becomes evident how the constraint of a single taste governed and formed everything large and small: whether this taste was good or bad is less important than one might suppose,—if only it was a single taste! -- F. Nietzsche, with a nod to Palladian who made it through other German philosophical works, allegedly.

Palladian said...

Question: Are there several people posting with the name "Alex" on here, or does "Alex" have some sort of psychotic problem? He seems to have a few different personalities.

Unknown said...

Obama was a community organizer for three years out of college, working in inner cities projects. He was 22 years old at the time. He helped the community petition for things like better plumbing, for repairs to be made, etc.

When people criticize him for that, I think it says more about the people doing the criticizing. I would never do community organizing. The pay sucks, the work is hard, and it's under-appreciated. But I sure wouldn't attack someone for doing it.

Original Mike said...

"McSame", Beth? Pretty lame. You're better than that.

Unknown said...

Dogwood,

I understand what humor, and I understand that was Palin's point (self-deprecating it wasn't). Don't you guys understand the difference between colorful sayings and sexist insults.

McCain and Palin's call for "change" is lipstick on a pig. Same tax cuts for the rich, same policies that only inflame the war on terror, same failures to confront the root causes of our energy problems, same neanderthal approach on social issues.

And Holdfast, great comeback. I criticize Althouse's monomania for style, and you come back with a criticism of Obama's style. You want substance: I want Bush tax cuts for people making over $250,000 ended. I want the federal government to focus its policies on conservation and the development of alternatives to fossil fuels. I want choice. I generally want the federal government out of my personal life choices. I want an end to the war in Iraq that has some more foreseeability than some vague notion of victory. What is victory -- leaving a pro-Iran Shiite government in power? I want a focus on the Taliban and Osama Bin Laden. I want multi-lateral approaches to the war on terror, not a go-it-alone approach. You disagree about that stuff, it's fine -- that's the stuff the democratic process should decide.
But these made-up stupid issues? Give me a break already.

Methadras said...

Palladian said...

"And Palladian - I'm cute enough. And not fat."

The word "enough" in there is telling. Enough = saggy leather pancake.


Seriously, when are you, DTL, and Zach going to get together and have mad angry revenge grudge pity sex and get it over with? This build up has been going on to long I say. :D

Alex said...

Exactly. Barack was enormously heroic for his community organizing efforts. The GOP sliming of that will come back to haunt them.

Palladian said...

"F. Nietzsche, with a nod to Palladian who made it through other German philosophical works, allegedly."

Allegedly? Not allegedly, you bitch! My sarcastic, angry and caustic personality is proof positive that I swam in the waters of German philosophy at an impressionable age.

Beth said...

I would much prefer her as President to Obama because, as they say, she's the pig I know.

On this we agree.

Roberto said...

NEVER let the truth obscure bullshit smears:

Here's Obama's COMPLETE "lipstick" COMMENT, but this time in the actual CONTEXT:

"John McCain says he's about change, too -- except for economic policy, health care policy, tax policy, education policy, foreign policy and Karl Rove-style politics," Mr. Obama told his supporters here. "That's just calling the same thing something different."

"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; it's still going to stink after eight years."

(Mr. McCain's surrogates responded within minutes and called on Mr. Obama to apologize to Gov. Sarah Palin for the lipstick remark.)

*But to those in the audience, it was clear that Mr. Obama was employing an age-old phrase -- lipstick on a pig -- and referring to Mr. McCain's policies.

He had not yet mentioned Ms. Palin at that point of his speech.

That's right, NO MENTION of SARAH PALIN before the comment...ONLY JOHN McCAIN.

This is nothing more than McCain and company employing the same Swiftboating lies as Bush did in the last election.

Chennaul said...

Wow-

This campaign season has gone to something-

First of all-since I love to overanalyze - why does Obama stammer on the delivery?

He does it a lot-I use to have to go to speech therapy as a kid so I identify with this-hell President Bush does it too-come to think of it-

Anyways-what is going on is that he is remembering the cliche-but getting it backwards-go google the cliche-Obama inverts the delivery-the stammering is a stall for recall.

That's all.

btw-is Obama left handed? {I think left handed people have a higher incidence of learning disabilities, speech difficulties...}

For the McCain campaign to turn this into a federal case reminds me of the last paragraph of Christopher Hitchen's column the other day-

The same is true of the boring contest over who can be the most populist, and of the positively sinister race to see who can be the most demagogically anti-Washington. With this kind of immaturity right across both tickets, it's insulting to be asked to decide on the basis of experience, let alone "readiness."

The McCain campaign's main objective has gone from Defend America to Defend Sarah- I really think that's a loser.

But then again-maybe the electorate isn't insulted and all that nashing of teeth by bloggers and pundits about how they want to talk about, fight and win on the issues is a bunch of-

Drang und Sturm.

vbspurs said...

And Zach actually appears to have human feelings.

Indeed. And most importantly, Zach has a conscience. To compare him to a miasmic entity, who could be anyone and anything, is horrible.

Cheers,
Victoria

Roberto said...

beth, you know quite a bit about pigs?

knox said...

Did anyone ever wonder whether downtownlad is Andrew Sullivan? If you search the web for old downtownlad material, you'll find he was once fairly reasonable-– just like Andrew Sullivan. He seems to have gone cuckoo-ville at the same time that Sully did.

Palladian,

I specifically remember someone saying that in the comment section, probably about 6 months ago. Althouse has dealt out some ass-whippings to Sullivan over the years. Wouldn't be surprised if he came by anonymously to seek revenge every now and then.

Palladian said...

"Seriously, when are you, DTL, and Zach going to get together and have mad angry revenge grudge pity sex and get it over with? This build up has been going on to long I say. :D"

Downtownlad? Ick! Zach, yes! In fact, Zachary owes me a weekend of sweaty sex over a bet he lost– we're coordinating schedules. But DTL- Nein! I suspect Zach and I are both a little old for downtownlad's tastes. He seems to have a thing for twinks.

integrity said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
kent said...

Seriously, when are you, DTL, and Zach going to get together and have mad angry revenge grudge pity sex and get it over with?

Wait right there; I have HBO on line two, wanting to know about broadcast residual rights.

Beth said...

Original Mike,

He is the same old, same old, Mike. There's no Original McCain.

Alex said...

Goodbye and good luck.

Revenant said...

Palin isn't the girl next door - she is a politician. When will the media start treating her like one?

Shortly after they stop treating her like a cross between Hitler and Paris Hilton, I imagine.

Methadras said...

Alex said...

Exactly. Barack was enormously heroic for his community organizing efforts. The GOP sliming of that will come back to haunt them.


Oh, you mean that community organization Alinski style, right? I'm going to have to reference my Rules for Radicals on what he said about 'community organization'.

Unknown said...

"Good enough" is when some of the hotties still hit on you.

Palladian said...

"Perhaps I need more coffee."

Everyone always needs more coffee, Beth!

Hey, a coffee/New Orleans question: is coffee with chicory actually popular in New Orleans or is that some sort of myth?

Alex said...

Blogger Revenant said...

Palin isn't the girl next door - she is a politician. When will the media start treating her like one?

Shortly after they stop treating her like a cross between Hitler and Paris Hilton, I imagine.

11:02 AM

I don't know what the hell you're talking about. The media has treated her with kid gloves. It's about to take those gloves off. The Democrats are always such nice guys. They need to get mean.

Revenant said...

Could someone explain to me why it is sexist to call a woman a pig? "Dog" (bitch) and "cat" (pussy) I get, but what's sexist about "pig"? Men are called pigs too -- quite often, in fact. It is a standard, gender-neutral animal insult with no obvious female connotation I can think of.

Paul said...

Ok. It was either the last election or the one before it, but I remember literally DAYS AND DAYS of media stories and Democrat screaming over a Republican ad that happened to display the "Rat" portion of "Democrat" for a split second too long. That was just a slight editing flub, and the hysteria was mindblowing. And now, we're expected to just brush it off when the Dem candidate indirectly references Palin as a Pig? forget it. In politics, I don't forgive, and I don't forget.

Unknown said...

I actually am not so offended by the lipstick/pig comment. Obama looked so needy and defeated when he delivered the line that all I could think was, he's finished and he knows it.

Rather enjoyable, actually.

As a former liberal, I will just opine that this comment shows the "inherent contradictions" in leftist dogma. Everyone is equal...when I say so.

Revenant said...

I don't know what the hell you're talking about. The media has treated her with kid gloves.

There are excellent medications available for the treatment of those recurring hallucinations of yours. :)

Unknown said...

Palladian - As Obama said today ENOUGH!!!!!!

You have gone too far and I am disgusted!!!

23 years old is NOT a twink. 19 is a twink. And I haven't nailed a 19 year old in at least 3 years. You have to apologize at once! How DARE you slander me like that.

;)

Alex said...

patca - if that's the case, why are Republicans in such a panic mode? Democrats are confident!

Palladian said...

"Watching all the establishment douchebags gorge themselves on this bullshit is engrossing,"

You know, the appearance of such a sentence makes wading through a million comments worthwhile. The images, the words, the sounds...

GORGE. A good, woody sort of word. ENGROSSING. GORGE. DOUCHEBAGS. Very woody.

Chennaul said...

Just to toss it both ways-

No one is talking about the comment the other day made by the Governor of New York that the term- "community organizer" is code for African American and when the McCain campaign uses that they are being -racists.

What's weird is the Obama campaign were the first to use that term-"community organizer"...

So waht does it mean when they use that term?

So we have racists! and Sexists! being slung about everywhere...and who is doing it is turned on it's head.

I've got a weird feeling about this election-the voter turnout is either going to be significantly higher or lower than normal.

Sloanasaurus said...

Obama was a community organizer for three years out of college, working in inner cities projects. He was 22 years old at the time. He helped the community petition for things like better plumbing, for repairs to be made, etc.

When people criticize him for that, I think it says more about the people doing the criticizing. I would never do community organizing. The pay sucks, the work is hard, and it's under-appreciated. But I sure wouldn't attack someone for doing it.


No one criticised Obama for being a community organizer. They criticised him for saying being a community organizer makes him qualified to be president.

Chennaul said...

revenant-

Ya really I don't get it either-maybe they're overreacting to the lipstick end of it?

Oooh call anyone a pig in French and watch the fur fly....

Palladian said...

"23 years old is NOT a twink. 19 is a twink. And I haven't nailed a 19 year old in at least 3 years. You have to apologize at once! How DARE you slander me like that."

I consider 23 the twink cut-off age. My boyfriend's 22. So I guess I'm just as guilty of it as anybody. My apologies. But I'd be just as happy with a man of 32 or 42, depending on the man, of course.

Zachary, for example, is 31 and I'd be very happy with him.

rhhardin said...

Rush says Obama needs to start smoking again. He looks bedraggled.

Come out with a drink and a cigarette like Dean Martin.

always helpful.

Jim said...

"Pig" is an ugly name to call someone (even when intended for the Male Chauvinist variety). If he was referring to Palin, it was a dumbfounding failure in judgment.

Was he talking about her? The people laughing in back of Obama surely knew of Palin's lipstick joke and likely would not have misinterpreted the reference.

Revenant said...

why are Republicans in such a panic mode? Democrats are confident!

Is it last July again already?

Roberto said...

madawaskan is concerened with why Obama "stammers" and that "left handed" thing.

As for the "stammer, maybe he's thinking of what he's going to say...before he says it?

As for being "left-handed"...

Here are a few others who are left handed:

George Herbert Bush
JF Kennedy
Gerald Ford
Bill Clinton
Albert Einstein
Bill Gates
Mark Twain
Neil Armstrong
Buzz Aldrin
Alexander the Great
Leonardo da Vinci
Arnold Palmer
Babe Ruth

And of course, the God of all Gods...:Ronald Reagan

*Special BONUS:

In 2006, researchers at Lafayette College and Johns Hopkins University in a study found that left-handed men are 15 percent richer than right-handed men for those who attended college, and 26 percent richer if they graduated.

vbspurs said...

Women are devious and vicious when angered. And proud of it.

Yes. For millenia, we weren't allowed to plot anything but lunch and dinner. It takes a toll.

vbspurs said...

Come out with a drink and a cigarette like Dean Martin.

LOL!

BTW, I almost became a Rush subscriber last night, but unlike McCain's campaign site, he doesn't take PayPal.

Roberto said...

Sprite948 - Did you read the entire quote I posted at 11:00?

He WAS NOT referring to Sarah Palin...he was referring to John McCain.

Repeating the lie over and over again is nothing more than a cheap smear tactic...

Unknown said...

Integrity, let's meet back at this space next june 30 to discuss just how many of your ridiculous predictions have come true once McCain wins this thing. I'm bookmarking this page now. I have a hunch you won't show...

Palladian said...

"No one is talking about the comment the other day made by the Governor of New York that the term- "community organizer" is code for African American and when the McCain campaign uses that they are being -racists."

I don't think Patterson should assume that the term "community organizer" is a code-word for black. Some of the thugs in my neighborhood are black, and they'd never be appropriately described as community organizers. In fact, they're community disorganizers.

I wonder if someone who thinks that "community organizer" is racist code for "black" would agree that "neo-con" is often used as a code-word for "dirty Jew"? When I hear someone described as an "activist", I automatically picture a women with hairy arm-pits and dreadlocks. Does this mean I am anti-trustafarian?

rhhardin said...

Obama says he was taken out of context.

Anonymous said...

One of the best orators today (except lately) has speech difficulties? A former editor of the Harvard Law Review has learning disabilities?

Seriously. What the fuck is wrong with people?

Palladian said...

"Rush says Obama needs to start smoking again. He looks bedraggled.

Come out with a drink and a cigarette like Dean Martin."

You know, I hate smoking, but I would like Obama a lot more if he did this.

Roberto said...

Sloan says: "No one criticised Obama for being a community organizer. They criticised him for saying being a community organizer makes him qualified to be president."

Do you have a link to Obama ever saying anything of the kind?

You're lying.

vbspurs said...

Jack Kennedy wasn't left-handed. There is some idea he was born that way, and trained to use his right, but he didn't write left-handed (BTW, I can't prove this, but I think I was too. I swing lefty when I need to use both hands, as in golf and softball).

The British Royal Family have loads of left-handers, which famously include:

Queen Victoria
George VI
Prince William

Anonymous said...

Well, if they accomplished nothing else they've got Obama flustered; he's fallen back on his usual rhetorical tic.

DISTRACTION. Nasty, tinny sort of word.

Paul said...

Integrity said - You're a very cool customer, and you photograph beautifully. Thanks again.

That, in a nutshell is why Obama has made it this far.

Mortimer Brezny said...

So the pause -- as well the forehead scratching -- suggest that Obama wanted people to think about Palin as the pig wearing lipstick.

Garbage. The line if taken out of a paragraph about McCain and his policies being identical to Bush's. Obama talks about Palin later. This is just McCain camp distortion. And it's stupid. This is really ticking me off. I don't want to see this kind of puerile shit. The press should just call the McCain camp what it is: a bunch of liars.

Anonymous said...

And remember, kids, if you don't have a link for some allegation, you are lying. Also if you are a Republican, you are a liar.

Revenant said...

As for the "stammer, maybe he's thinking of what he's going to say...before he says it?

He was giving a speech to a crowd. Don't you think he thought about what he was going to say before he got up there?

Chennaul said...

Palladian-

When I hear someone described as an "activist", I automatically picture a women with hairy arm-pits and dreadlocks. Does this mean I am anti-trustafarian?

In a word-

Yes.

I have always viewed you as one huge "anti-trustafarian" own it!

Look I think only the Democrats can use the term "community organizer" because they made it up-damn it!

kjbe said...

I wish Obama would talk more about issues.

Didn't you get the memo? The campaign's about personalities, not issues.

Roberto said...

madawaskan - When the Obama people use the term "comminity organizer" they're referring to wat it actually means. Helping "organize" those who do not have the ability or funds to do so on their own...you know...like the Catholic Parishes Obama helped out in Chicago?

When McCain's people use the term, they do so as if the work itself isn't the least bit important, which is rather ironic, consider the fact that, and as everyone here knows...the "faith based" push from George W. Bush over the past 7 years is really exactly that; "community organizing" via churches, etc.

Ignorance is Bliss said...

Obama: ...it's still a pig!
Tyler Durden: Oh I get it, it's very clever.
Obama: Thank you.
Tyler Durden: How's that working out for you?
Obama: What?
Tyler Durden: Being clever.
Obama: Great.
Tyler Durden: Keep it up then

MadisonMan said...

The media has treated her with kid gloves.

Only in that they've asked no questions about her performance as Mayor and Governor or any policy questions.

vbspurs said...

Ann wrote:

. Then he scratches his forehead while he pauses, and the audience laughs

As my mum, who's a shrink, pointed out when I showed her this clip last night (without giving her any info or influencing her reaction):

"Putting your hand to your head, or hair is a sign of passive-aggressiveness. It happens very often towards a person you dislike or in a situation where you have built-up aggression. The subconscious is saying the person wishes to lash out."

She was under no doubt to whom these words were intended, but as she points out, the clincher was "old fish" = McCain, at least in her mind.

One was bad enough, but perhaps easy to dismiss. Two, is much too much of a coincidence.

Cheers,
Victoria

Roberto said...

rev - Sure, he probably had a speech prepared, but things change and sometimes...and I know, based on listening to McCain speak, you probably don't understand this...but he may from time to time, think of something he wants to add or even change his mind as to what he wants to say.

Ronald Reagan was notorious for ad-libbing, pausing for crowd reaction, responding to people, etc.

Beth said...

Coffee and chicory is popular here, but maybe less so over the past 15 years, with the spread of upscale coffee shops - I see teenagers drinking lattes and frozen espresso drinks. I always ask for it when I want cafe au lait. Nothing else stands up to the hot milk.

The grocery store shelves are full of local brands with chicory, it's the standard brew at Cafe du Monde and Morning Call, two of the oldest coffee shops in the country, and you can get it almost any of the many locally owned coffee shops as well.

There are also a few companies that sell cold coffee concentrate in the dairy sections and all have a chicory blend.

Sorry, I'm rambling -- I'm visualizing all the places I see coffee in town and around the state and I haven't come across one yet that doesn't have a chicory blend, except for national chains (Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts). So, I guess the short answer is "yes." It was my daily brew until I switched to pure dark roast about 10 years ago.

Anonymous said...

Madison -- You can't really blame the Republicans for the questions Palin has been asked. Quite to the contrary, she has been hounded by dozens of non-scandals and false allegations by said media.

Why do you suppose this happened? (Not a rhetorical question.)

Chennaul said...

Oooh vbspurs-

Chills! I love Jack Kennedy trivia.

Weird-I have dyslexia, I stammer.

Anyways Catholic schools use to at times "convert" Lefties to Righties.

Happened to me in first grade -after that they changed their policy and gave up on me in the second grade.

Maybe that happened to Jack Kennedy.

btw-loved Ann's link to the Kennedy -Nixon debate where they referred to Kennedy as "The Bronze Warrior"...

That's a symptom of Addison's disease-to appear tan all the time and it actually gave Kennedy a huge advantage in the advent of television.

Roberto said...

vbspurs - I don't believe a word of your bullshit about your mother "the shrink" telling you Obama touching his forehead being a sign of "passive aggression."

What a crock.

Roberto said...

vbspurs - You're wrong...again.

JFK was left handed.

Beth said...

No one is talking about the comment the other day made by the Governor of New York

No, because it was lame. He swung, he missed.

chickelit said...

Palladian said: Come out with a drink and a cigarette like Dean Martin.

And I'd like to see Joe Biden start channelling Foster Brooks.

Together they could turn the whole thing around.

Unknown said...

I'm a bit staggered at 167 comments and not one person has the balls to mention that McCain has said this phrase himself THREE TIMES on this campaign.

I'm disappointed at Althouse, usually so much less sensitive to this kind of tripe, pushing this meme forward (for f*ck's sake, Ann, you're offended at FISH?)

This blog used to have great dialogue and debate in the comments, usually sparked by intelligent observations from Althouse.

Now that Ann is full of fake outrage as a 'feminist' hiding behind faux "neutrality", the posts are no more than incendiary trash designed to get the usual suspects gabbing on and on and pushing fully false and offensive things about the "other side" (in this case, and lately, Obama).

Disgusting, really. And ignorant (even worse so it's pushed by a smart law professor I admire).

But I suppose on a day when McCain is releasing false attacks claiming Obama wants to teach your kindergartner how to put on a condom, the ignorant base is out in full force. You guys are loving it, so I guess I need to go see what's up on the equally annoying Kos, as this is becoming the right wing equivalent (I thought Malkin and HotAir were the equivalent).

I expected more from this place.

PS: Palladian, I can't remember if you are gay or not, which might slightly excuse your banding about the "faggot" slur over and over, but it's offensive and if you want to humiliate your nemesis Downtownlad, how about you find a way that doesn't make you look like a bigoted third grader.

Anonymous said...

He swung, he missed.

Come on. He's blind. Do you have to rub it in?

Roberto said...

A few more left handed people:

Colin Powell
Thomas Jefferson
Ben Franklin
Harry Truman

vbspurs said...

Coffee and chicory is popular here

Ooh, do you like chicory in your coffee, Beth? (Sorry, still haven't finished reading the replies)

I don't -- it's a curse because I like Middle Eastern style "Turkish" coffee.

Anonymous said...

Some 180 comments in, and we get a You! A law professor!

Thanks, Rossi. I hope McCain wins your state, too.

Revenant said...

Sure, he probably had a speech prepared, but things change

What changed? You're saying that the "lipstick" remark was a reference to to McCain's policies being the same as Bush's. That's the same dead horse Obama has been beating for months.

he may from time to time, think of something he wants to add or even change his mind as to what he wants to say.

And it took a lot of mental effort to come up with "you can put lipstick on a pig", did it?

Ronald Reagan was notorious for ad-libbing, pausing for crowd reaction, responding to people, etc.

Yes, but he was good at it. Obama isn't, which is why he'd be smart to avoid doing it. He's an excellent speaker when he sticks to the script.

Anonymous said...

More famous lefties

Pat Robertson, evangelist/politician
N.B. Forrest, Confederate general
John Dillinger, criminal/bank robber
Boston Strangler (Albert Henry DeSalvo), serial killer
Jack-the-Ripper, serial killer
John Wesley Hardin, Western gunslinger
Seven Machos

Chennaul said...

Michael-

Well to be quite honest with you I'm a pro-life Catholic-but I get turned off by a certain nastiness.

I'm very much for a third way-the fact that Palin if she truly believes in a pro-life agenda-the fact that she line item vetoed the unwed mothers home is depressing.

I googled it and I wonder if Democrats would be for donating-it's a religious organization.

I followed debate here.

The Republican response was that most organizations shoot for more and expect less-the problem with that is members of both parties in both houses of the Alaska legislature wanted to let them have the funding.

If you go to their website they are full so it seems like it was a legit need.

So all that is disturbing-but I also am extremely bothered by Obama letting the heat be turned off during Christmas in apartment buildings owned by his friend in Obama's district.

So it's ugly on both sides-probably a wash there.

Roberto said...

rossi said..."I'm a bit staggered at 167 comments and not one person has the balls to mention that McCain has said this phrase himself THREE TIMES on this campaign."

Are YOU kidding?

Do you know where you are?

Did you actually think this was an open and independent forum for real discussion or debate?

90% of those here could care less what anybody has to say...unless of course, it conforms to what they themselves already believe.

Unknown said...

What I don't understand is how feminists haven't pointed out that Palin's original comment was sexist. Her hockey mom comment implies that whenever a woman is aggressive she is like an animal; such behavior is unusual for her because she is supposed to be demure and effeminate.

To understand this, contrast the points. The joke wouldn't be funny if it went like this: "You know the difference between a hockey dad and a pitbull. A tie." Why? Because it is okay for men to be aggressive. When women do it, it's cute, even humorous. If we want to explore the sexism, we should look at Palin's comment (i.e., the one written by here male speech writer).

Palladian said...

"So, I guess the short answer is "yes." It was my daily brew until I switched to pure dark roast about 10 years ago."

Thanks for the info. I drink it occasionally for a change-up, but wondered how popular it was down there today.

Chennaul said...

Revenant-

Ya public speaking should make it worse not better-he stalls to recall.


Seven Machos-

Ha! Well I think being interested in politics-is the curse of the left handed and the Irish!

Wasn't the debate between George Bush Sr., Perot, and Clinton all left handed?

Well I'm off for awhile Beth's comments make me want to grab some coffee-.

vbspurs said...

The crowd booed. “No, she’s new!” Obama said. “She hasn’t been on the scene, you know, she’s got five kids and my hat goes off to anybody who’s looking after five. I’ve got two and they tire Michelle and me out!”

You forgot the bit where he called her a "moose shooter".

A moose shooter, because you know, he's too much of a city boy to know it's hunter -- and shooter sounds like you are a murderous maniac on a rampage.

Then he said, when the audience started guffawing, "No that's cool, moose shooter".

WTF, man. Take your shots, that's fine. But own up to them.

Palin went straight for his face, like DBQ mentioned women do.

But with Obama, it's all subterfuge and maybe-he-did-or-didn't. That's wussy.

Revenant said...

vbspurs - You're wrong...again. JFK was left handed.

Oh, was he, now?

Hoosier Daddy said...

But really. McCain's claim to offer anything other than what we've seen for the past eight years?

And what exactly is Obama offering but rehashed Carter policies?

Been there, don't want to do that again.

Roberto said...

madawaskan says: "So all that is disturbing-but I also am extremely bothered by Obama letting the heat be turned off during Christmas in apartment buildings owned by his friend in Obama's district."

Good lord, could you be a tad more current in your attacks?

*Claim: The Chicago Sun-Times reported that in 1997, Rezko’s company failed to turn the heat back on in one of his buildings, while giving $1,000 to Obama’s campaign fund.

The truth: There’s no evidence that Obama knew about problems with Rezko’s buildings. A state senator doesn’t deal with tenant complaints, and the Chicago newspapers never reported on Rezko’s problems as a landlord until after he was indicted.

According to the Chicago Tribune, "in the years before 2005, Rezko enjoyed a reputation in Illinois as an up-and-coming, even enlightened entrepreneur with a strong interest in the risky low-income and affordable housing markets."

http://www.chicagotribune.com/...

vbspurs said...

In case of curiosity, Palin right-handed.

Roberto said...

Now we have Hoosier comparing Obama to...Carter?

And of course, wondering how he could possibly change things from what we've seen over the past 8 years?

Just keep this in mind: McCain voted with Bush 90-95% of the time.

Beth said...

I googled it and I wonder if Democrats would be for donating-it's a religious organization.

I can't answer for all Democrats (I'm an Independant anyway) but I will say that here in New Orleans, all the local women's organizations I know of, feminist or otherwise, work with Catholic Charities. Their Family Justice Center, which oversees Crescent House, the domestic violence shelter, is an effective one-stop agency for women and men facing domestic issues: violence, divorce, hunger, poverty -- any need that can be addressed by a combination of lawyers (there's a DA liaison on staff), social workers and counselors, economic advisers and so on. I have nothing but admiration for them and their work, and often request their help on my campus. The Catholic church has a long history of social justice community organizing -- it's not hard for me to separate the guys in the fancy hats and robes from the priests, nuns and lay people I meet doing God's work with people who need help.

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