“...and it annoys the pig”

[ewx]

So Barack Obama may or may not have allusively compared her to a pig in lipstick, depending whether you ask Democrats or Republicans and Telegraph hacks. I'm having trouble finding a transcript, and in a triumph of journalistic integrity the BBC weren't showing the context last night, so I can't easily say which side is talking rot. Although western politicians do usually make their attacks on opponents a bit more sophtiscated than mere abuse (consider how unusual Major's famous “bastards” remark was).

Not so long ago however, and providing the basis for the claim of a slur, Sarah Palin compared herself to a pit bull terrier in lipstick (an equally bizarre image if taken literally). But frankly I think Obama's supposed comparison is the more flattering one; pit bulls have a reputation for savaging small children, and while pigs can certainly be dangerous they're not what springs to mind when you talk about dangerous animals. So what's the fuss about? l-)

[Poll #1257776]

Comments

[(Anonymous)]

I thought he was just comparing a pig with lipstick to a pig without?

Apparently he's used the phrase on at least two other occasions during the campaign before Mrs Palin was selected.

To make a big thing of one phrase issued during a single speech which may or may not mean something is absolute nonsense. Sure, if Mr Obama kept using it or put out adverts with it, then they might have a point.

The Republican tactics at the moment seem to be playing the man rather than the ball, or at least they would be if they played decent ball games over there. Maybe that's the American way - cf. American football?