What the media is doing is making the comment the issue, and not the context.
From the times I have heard it, it is a pretty rural/old timey saying. Obama has lived in Hawaii and Chicago (not exactly rural Illinois) and then came to Washington, so where did he pick up this slogan?
It is a common expression, but Obama knew and his core audience KNEW what he was referring to. Couple the PIG comment (referring to Palin) with the “old FISH” comment that was meant to refer to McCain and voila... classic smear... coming from the messiah of CHANGE!!!
He said it ‘accidentally on purpose.’ It was meant to be a shot, but he had no idea the reaction it would elicit, then cries ‘poor me, everybody’s picking on me.’
He should grow up or get out of the race. Obama’s biggest problem (besides his ideology imo) is that he allowed his ego to push him into this race before his time. He succeeded in snatching the nomination from the ‘inevitable’ candidate. But now he has to face a real national election, not primaries with far left voters.
Technically, Obama himself has admitted that he was referring to Palin.
The only thing is - Obama claims that Palin was the lipstick in his reference, not the pig.
The point is that whether one splits hairs in this way or not, the reference, which went on to speak of the smell of rotten fish (barracuda?) was loaded with innuendo and was dangerously subject to multiple interpretations. It leads me to question the judgement and character of the man who spoke the words - if any more evidence were necessary.
I agree...but I can only imagine that if someone, talking about Obama, uttered the phrase "Calling a spade a spade" and then had the whole audience laughing...they would be roasted by the media.
Speaking of pigs, is he still running around with Sarah Silverman?
Bum rap or not, political statements are up for grabs. If it truly was a bum rap, and they fumbled the reply, it's too damn bad.
The context that Hussein used it in clearly insinuated that Sarah Palin was being referred to as the ‘pig’ with lipstick, both because she had just recently referred to herself as a pit bull with lipstick, and because the Democrat Party website had just put up a graphic called ‘Republican Pig with Lipstick’, the pig having glasses and wearing a necklace. The inference was obvious and wasn’t missed by Democrats, that is for sure.
See those broad smiles from democrats?
Either it was an intentional poorly veiled slam on Palin, or Obama is utterly clueless.
The timing to use that expression was incredibly poor.
A day before Palins speech and massively publicized lipstick joke, those democrats would not have been smiling broadly after he used that expression.
It's commonly used. Shortly after?
well, you see it makes a difference doesn't it?
It is indeed a common expression. In this case, however, it was said short after she told her lipstick joke. At best, it was a bonehead remark by him. And consider this. If you use the term lipstick on a pig, you are doing it to criticize your opponent or opponent’s plan. It should bring cheering from your crowd. Instead, it brought laughter -—— and the laughter came when he paused and before a punchline was told. Who laughs before the punchline is told?
McCain used it when referencing Hillary’s health care plan. He didn’t use it referring to Hillary herself.
Obama did use it to reference Palin herself. He paused so he could get the full effect for it, and his audience thought it was hilarious, and started chanting Palin, Palin...
Kimmel should bone up on the topic before he starts making a democrat out of himself.
Whether intentional or unintentional, he’s a fool: because his “job” is to win an election by bringing people (and at this point, especially white women) to his side. So question yourself: was it a smart move?
You saw his audience’s wild reaction. They understood the meaning, just as Republicans did! Most stand up commedians “work” their audience... He did pause for effect. So I’m in the intentional camp... but if it was unintentional, well then he’s obviously living in a bubble. For how many days was the media playing Palin’s “Pitbull Lipstick” - “Pitbull Lipstick” - “Hockey mom? Pitbull Lipstick”. We got doses of it even here in Italy. And when the association is still eminently fresh, you the “ONE” promising CHANGE (and bla bla bla) are gonna “innocently” come out with “PIG - LIPSTICK”?
Can he really be THAT innocent?
It was stupid. He may not have meant it the way it came out. But he should have known better than going there in the first place. The fact that he was so clueless is where the fault lies.
his next line is “you can take an old fish and wrap it in paper but it still stinks.” That’s not a common phrase, but it free associates to barracuda , which again is Palin.
There IS a subtext here; Obama played it; enjoyed it. . .and invited the audience along. And they 'got it'; and they loved it. I don't know anyone who has NOT heard of this expression. But whatever the case; the 'pig' wearing lipstick is clear; just as clear as who was being referenced in Obama's 'closer'. . .the 'old fish wrapped in yesterday's newspaper'. (Have a clue, Jimmy?) His routine was a 'twofer'! (Do not know anyone who has not heard this 'reference' either; but it does not change the meaning or intent of Obama).
Let us NOT forget; the fricking lines leading up to this were 'lifted' from WaPo cartoon!
Used to think Obama would have made a 'great Billy Graham'; but that requires more authenticity. . .honesty. Having watched him; now think he could do a great 'Vegas' magic act.
The truth is; that is precisely what he is doing; he has just taken it on the road. .
obama knew he could take a swipe at Gov. Palin and say he didn’t mean it “that way”
as a youth, I too employed double entandre to poke fun at people
Now that I am 47 years old, I have no time for such monkey shines
The people in the audience sure took it the same way and you could hear the laughter and applause. It wasn’t only the Republicans who knew what he meant.
Hussein Obama COMPLETELY knew what he was doing, and clearly intended to refer to Palin.
He stopped. Put his hand over his forehead then held it there, looking at the crowd meaningfully, then said it with a very clear sneer.
He meant every word.