By Natalie Gewargis

Sep 10, 2008 10:41am

Pig in a Poke

I forgot to note that Obama made another porcine reference in Lebanon, Va., last night, speaking about education reform.

"You don’t fatten a hog by weighing it," he said. "The same thing is true with childrens’ minds — you have to feed them with knowledge."

How long before we start to hear that Obama was calling America’s God-fearing children swine?

(Note to Schmidt: that was a joke.)

- jpt

User Comments

LOL!!
He also said: “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 he calling McCain a stinky old fish??

Posted by: Common Sense | September 10, 2008, 10:47 am 10:47 am

Jake, do you intend to call out McCain’s new dishonest ad about sex-ed? I think it fits a pattern of exaggeration, dishonesty and dishonorable attacks that could continue to election day if he isn’t called on these things by the media.

Posted by: Alpha Female | September 10, 2008, 10:54 am 10:54 am

Obama had to do something to get attention.
The pro-Obama medias can’t think of anything except Palin.
He had to do something to deflect attention from Biden’s comments about Palin being a step backwards for women.
These guys are really showing their true contempt for strong women.

Posted by: riley | September 10, 2008, 10:55 am 10:55 am

Now that is coming out that Palin was emotionally abusing her wife’s siblings by disparraging and harrasing her ex-brother in law…I am sure it will be Barack Obama is now attacking Children.
McCain who cannot define what honor means certainly display’s dishonorable behavior.

Posted by: Jim Shenanigan | September 10, 2008, 10:56 am 10:56 am

Doesn’t matter what Obama says the Republican are going to cry foul. It’s all they have.

Posted by: Enviro | September 10, 2008, 10:56 am 10:56 am

The Obama camp is so rattled by Palin they are folding quickly under the pressure.

Posted by: harry | September 10, 2008, 10:56 am 10:56 am

Let us focus on issues and substance. Republicans stop calling McCain a stinky old fish or Palin a pig with lipstick. McSame, WBush, Cheney, Palin and Rove they do not care about issues because they are better off. McSame thinks that the economy is doing well because he even does not know how many houses he has. Meanwhile many of us are struggling to keep one roof above our head and are seriously threatened by foreclosure. People let us think again and understand what these elections are about after 8 years of total faillure inside and outside. This is our opportunity to change out destiny which was mismanaged by a republican government WBush/Cheney/McSame/Palin. God bless America.

Posted by: BKMC | September 10, 2008, 10:59 am 10:59 am

Jake,
I like your sense of humor.
I am starting to think that this was a stroke of genius on the part of McCain: pitch race against gender.
You see, it’s almost 11 days since Palin has been selected Vice President, still she hasn’t given any interview. People all over the US are swooning even if they don’t know where she stands on issues–I know she is giving an interview to Charlie Gibson tomorrow but that doesn’t change the facts. With few exceptions–like you–it seems that McCain campaign has succeeded in bullying the media into submission. Can you imagine if Obama’s VP choice has been kept away from the media for nearly 2 weeks after he has been selected? Yet, McCain can still claim he is a man of honor, look the American people in their face and say that he made the right decision.

Posted by: Lance D. | September 10, 2008, 11:01 am 11:01 am

Looks like Obama/Biden only think women from the Democratic Party are worthy.
Oh wait–Obama was intimidated by Hillary too.

Posted by: cindy in nc | September 10, 2008, 11:02 am 11:02 am

The McCain campaign is so desperate they have resorted to lying and faux attacks. This may serve up as red meat for the minority GOP base, but the American people are not being fooled.
Soon the ads will start running with all of the Republican scandals; Abramoff, Ney, Doolittle, Larry Craig, Mark Foley, Ted Haggard, Alberto Gonzalez, Ted Stevens, dozens of Republicans being indicted, convicted, all while the Republicans were in charge. The American people have had enough of the GOP pigs feeding at the trough.
Bye-Bye McCain’t going to be President.

Posted by: Jim Ireland | September 10, 2008, 11:02 am 11:02 am

Sarah Palin said in her acceptance speech that the only difference between hcokey Moms and pit bulls is lipstick.
So she compared her behavior to a dog.
Didn’t John McCain once tell the joke that Chelsea Clinton was ugly because Janet Reno was her father?

Posted by: ricky | September 10, 2008, 11:02 am 11:02 am

I wish the R’s would make an ad series that said “Obama’s a liberal. Call a spade a spade.” or, “Obama’s not right for you. Call a spade a spade.” … because now Obama’s taken (phony) outrage over (inoffensive) comments off the table.

Posted by: Hyperbole | September 10, 2008, 11:05 am 11:05 am

We all know that people, especially Midwesterners and Southerners, use these animal references all the time. We all know that Obama isn’t using it to disparage anyone or any person. It is ridiculous to turn this into an issue. As we like to say in Texas. That Dog don’t Hunt.

Posted by: Tom | September 10, 2008, 11:08 am 11:08 am

if charlie gibson treats palin differently from any other candidate he has interviewed, i’ll never watch abc news again. other candidates are pressed on issues–we deserve no less from this interview of palin. she needs to be pressed until she answers a question and not allowed to spew the same rhetoric that she has memorized for all these redundant speeches she’s giving.

Posted by: linda stroupe | September 10, 2008, 11:08 am 11:08 am

Again, in front of a teleprompter, Obama does well. But, in front of Bill O’Riley, he stammered and stuttered and wasn’t able to get a single coherent answer out of his mouth.

Posted by: dl | September 10, 2008, 11:09 am 11:09 am

Annenberg Challenge. Obama and Ayers failed it.

Posted by: geevill | September 10, 2008, 11:12 am 11:12 am

You don’t wrap an “old fish” in paper, it already stinks. Forget waiting 8 years. So yes, thinly-veiled reference to McCain’s age. Paper thin.

Posted by: jedclampett | September 10, 2008, 11:13 am 11:13 am

in front of Bill O’Riley, he stammered and stuttered and wasn’t able to get a single coherent answer out of his mouth.

Posted by: Belle Starr | September 10, 2008, 11:13 am 11:13 am

The media is playing the Karl Rove’s playbook of swiftboating. The media like ABC news is worse for reporting stories like that. It’s clear that Barack Obama was refering to the eight glorious years of misery under George W. Bush. Mc Bush is just going to continue the same policies.

Posted by: twosunshine | September 10, 2008, 11:26 am 11:26 am

This is politics. Anyone who believes the Rs are really offended, should think again. This is about keeping Obama on the defensive and keeping the media focused on Obama on the defensive. What are people talking about right now, that on Tues Obama gave a speech about Education, and one about Iraq, or that Obama “called” Palin a pig.

Posted by: Polpen | September 10, 2008, 11:28 am 11:28 am

What was Obama thinking? Given the big
pitbull/lipstick reference and the fact that Biden has made a couple non-offensive references to lipstick since
at the least Obama’s judgement was pretty faulty in this case. When I first saw it I just thought poor choice of words but then when he follows up with the old fish comment- he doesn’t look so innocent anymore.

Posted by: alpaig52 | September 10, 2008, 11:32 am 11:32 am

You McCain/Palin supporters are pathetic. Every thing that Obama’s says does not pertain to Palin. McCain just want to keep from talking about the issues. It has been almost two weeks since he chose Palin and they have not given one policy position since.
With regards to the O’Reilly interview I thought he handled himself very well, just as O’Reilly said he did. It would be nice if O’Reilly would actually let him answer a question without interrupting and answering for him. But that is typical of Fox when someone doesn’t share the same opinion as they do.

Posted by: Obamacan | September 10, 2008, 11:36 am 11:36 am

The Obama campaign is not
concerned about any real
substance Sarah Palin
brings to the Republican
ticket. She doesn’t. She
doesn’t have any. She’s a
substandard Republican
politician.
But Republican bosses have
been sending her out to
rallies where she mouths
off their attack lines against
the Dems. It is quite obvious
she is not saying these things
in her own words in her own
language. She has been hired
to tell lies about the
Republicans to make them look
good and tell lies about the
Dems to make them look bad.
Attacks cannot go unanswered
in our politics unfortunately.
Low information voters who
see these false attacks on tv
by Republicans may believe
they are hearing the truth
about the Dems.
The Dems are still figuring
out how to deal with Palin
because she is a woman.
Because of Hillary’s candidacy
in this election contest, how
Dems treat Palin has become
majorly important.
The Dems know how to dispatch
Palin to the doghouse where
she belongs.

Posted by: anon | September 10, 2008, 11:37 am 11:37 am

Sarah, I believe Obama called you a pig.
I believe he called me a pig.
I believe Obama called all women pigs.
We will never vote for him, EVER!!
PUMA POWER
We are the ones no one was expecting.
————————————

Posted by: HP Boston | September 10, 2008, 11:41 am 11:41 am

McCain doesn’t know how many houses he owns. Yeah, Obama is a real saint when it comes to smearing.

Posted by: geevill | September 10, 2008, 11:47 am 11:47 am

When this election is over
McCain will find himself
in the doghouse and Palin
will find herself in the
moosehouse.

Posted by: anon | September 10, 2008, 11:57 am 11:57 am

Needed to win: 270.
Electoral vote projections
Obama 273
McCain 265
BO the next POTUS.

Posted by: anon | September 10, 2008, 12:00 pm 12:00 pm

The true pigs in American politics are the lobbyists and special interests. In Animal Farm (a mockery of communism) there was a proclamation that all animals were equal. The pigs were the loudest in proclaiming this and always made sure they were the first ones to the trough. This mirrors the Republicans phony tax wars which are fought so that those who have given from the fattest check book will get the mostest. (With apologies to Nathan Bedford Forrest).

Posted by: bhciapol | September 10, 2008, 12:11 pm 12:11 pm

Samantha,
You have the right to Vote for a Candidate you feel best serves your interest.
But it will be ridiculous if you are only voting for a Candidate because She is a Woman.
The Presidency of America is not a child’s play. It is not a joke.
It doesn’t know whether you are a Man or a Woman. All it knows is that a large and complex Country needs to be run and it has to be run well.
All the shout of sexism is not only divisive but ridiculous.
It is fair if Sarah Palin attacks Obama. It is fair if She twists facts to suit her political purposes.
But it is sexist if Obama debunks the falsehood, It is sexism if Obama hits back.
It appears People like you wants the Presidency to be handed to her on a platter of Gold. That would not only be counter-productive, it would be unnecessarily playing to the gallery.
President Medvedev of Russia would see the Presidency and not a Woman if Palin becomes POTUS considering Mccain mortality as a result of his age.
Al-quaeda and the Talibans will not soft-pedal on their attacks on the US Militarymen in Afghanistan because it is a Woman that is POTUS.
The President has no sex. The President is neither Male or Female.
He/She is the President of the United States and he/she has a Strong, massive and complex Country to run.
So you insult that Office and you insult all Women that have achieved by dint of hard work if you expect a free passage for Gov. Mccain because she is Female.

Posted by: Dare Nigeria | September 10, 2008, 12:13 pm 12:13 pm

Obama said loud and clear you is what you is baby.

Posted by: depravedmaniac | September 10, 2008, 12:42 pm 12:42 pm

AThey call Ohio a battle ground state, Obama won’t even need Ohio and will still get to 273, you people in Ohio aren’t even relevant. But McCain and the GOP would love to outsource more of your jobs so they can make a buck. So you vote on fools its your job not mine.

Posted by: depravedmaniac | September 10, 2008, 12:44 pm 12:44 pm

Antlers in the tree by who goosed the moose, Palin.

Posted by: depravedmaniac | September 10, 2008, 12:47 pm 12:47 pm

It does sound like a perceived “whine” from the McCain camp, doesn’t it?

Posted by: cold eye | September 10, 2008, 1:14 pm 1:14 pm

This pig comment back and forth is ridiculous. Did anyone refer to whole text of speech?????
FACT – reference was to last eight years of Republican President.
FACT – John McCain had used same comment before
FACT – This little comment has been used many times in past by politicans
FACT – Barack Obama is behind women and absolutely respects women. Always has!
FACT – John McCain is who who is not supportive of women and their rights. He does not support equal pay. Voted against Violence against Women/Men Bill.
Etc. He has been fact checked on this stance.
John McCain is using the Karl Rove Swift Boat Attacks. I have checked and found he lies all the time. Please everyone start checking.

Posted by: Sharonklim | September 10, 2008, 1:38 pm 1:38 pm

John McCain told the joke “Why is Chelsea Clinton so ugly? Because her father is Janet Reno.” When some called him a chauvinist pig for doing so, Sarah Palin squealed in outrage.
Sixteen former campaign hacksw hired by cable networks debated it for weeks. Only the McCain quote is true.

Posted by: ricky | September 10, 2008, 2:24 pm 2:24 pm

so, for you McPalin supports that take this as an insult, when McCain, not once but twice, used the exact same sentence in direct regard to Hillary Clinton, he was calling her a pig?
Wow, calling women in politics pigs and Pro-child molestation. You really want this guy as President?

Posted by: Jason | September 10, 2008, 2:56 pm 2:56 pm

Jake, everytime Schmidt opens his mouth, remember these two words: Tucker Eskew

Posted by: flounder | September 10, 2008, 3:00 pm 3:00 pm

According to Matt Stoller, former McCain aide Torie Stoller wrote a book called Lipstick on a Pig. A photo of the book cover is up.

Posted by: Lee | September 10, 2008, 3:24 pm 3:24 pm

Sorry, I meant Torie Clarke. (apparent dyslexia)

Posted by: Lee | September 10, 2008, 3:25 pm 3:25 pm

McCain is now stuck in a bind. His first rally without Palin will be so poorly attended that the media will highlight it all over, and show McCain how poorly valued he is by the Republican base.
He cannot afford to let her go campaign alone.
That’s why he is not going to have any rallies when she is in Alaska for the rest of the week. What a chicken?!! Wonder what his campaign is going to spin this as: ‘John needs to rest his sorry behind for a while’.
This will be a great opening for Obama to take center-stage.

Posted by: Harold Wilson | September 10, 2008, 3:43 pm 3:43 pm

He can’t let go of her hand and she can only read the script.
The future of America.

Posted by: Leonard Peltier | September 10, 2008, 5:40 pm 5:40 pm

He knew exactly what he was saying and to whom he was saying it. Obama is the dirtiest politician I have known of in my life.

Posted by: jay | September 10, 2008, 5:48 pm 5:48 pm

When Obama stated that “You can put lipstick on a pig It’s still a pig.”, he was probably refering to himself. The media has never covered the many favors Obama did for the convicted felon, Rezco. In 2006, Obama denied he did any favors, Obama: “I’ve never done any favors for him” which is simply false. In October 1998, Obama wrote city and state officials, asking them to give Rezko $14 million to build an apartment complex outside of Obama’s state Senate district. The Chicago Sun-Times reported last year that Obama’s request included $855,000 in “development fees” for Rezko and for another developer, Allison Davis, who was Obama’s old law-firm boss. An Obama spokesman stated that Obama’s requests to give money to Rezco was just a “conicidence” However, Rezco. routinely used his political connections to enrich himself at tax payer expense, both legally and illegally It is impossible to know what Obama’s motivations were in assisting the convicted felon Rezco in obtaining tax payer money for his slumlord housing projects. However, it should be noted that Rezco helped raise $250,000 for Obama’s campaigns. What is apparent however, is that Obama’s arrangement with Rezco is a far cry from Obama’s image of “change and hope.”

Posted by: Mary | September 10, 2008, 5:49 pm 5:49 pm

It’s obvious that all these pig references are part of Obama’s devious plan to convince the American public that he’s not a ~secret Muslim~. oooohhh.
Yeah, that was a joke, too.
Get over it peoples. Have you never heard these expressions before?? McCain has used the “lipstick on a pig” expression at least three times in the last year. Obama was NOT insulting Palin. But Palin and McCain are insulting US by acting like we’re too stupid to know better.

Posted by: thisniss | September 10, 2008, 6:53 pm 6:53 pm

Go, Sarah, Go! Barracuda!

Posted by: Beckie | September 10, 2008, 7:30 pm 7:30 pm

I’m really curious about something. Please clarify….
For those of you adamantly insist that Sen. Obama meant the adage as an insult to Gov. Palin, what did McCain mean when he said the same exact line in regards to Hillary Clinton’s? Was it wrong for him to say it back then?
Sen. Obama is much too good for you people.

Posted by: irena | September 10, 2008, 10:30 pm 10:30 pm

Since Palin refers herself to a dog, would it have been better if Sen. Obama followed suit? Would he have been called out then?
Pig, dog. Dog, pig. Six in one hand, half a dozen in the other. Next time, he should use her terminology and keep in his remarks in the canine vernacular.
Woof, woof, Sarah.

Posted by: Corie | September 10, 2008, 10:40 pm 10:40 pm

I am sorry to hear and see all of us becoming “talking heads”. I don’t care who calls who a pig. I don’t care who wears lipstick on the street or in their closets.
What I care about are the issues and we had better get going and start asking some real hard questions.
I want to stop thinking about an administration that is against abortion I don’t care at this point, it is not relevent to anything. I don’t care if you like men or women or both.
I care about the constitution, the Supreme Court, Healthcare for everyone, the economy, the environment, alternative energy. But I don’t care about, lipstick, soccer moms, pigs, or children that made bad decisions when mommy was not home.
Common guys wake up and smell the coffee…………..

Posted by: PROISSUES | September 10, 2008, 10:51 pm 10:51 pm

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