Obama’s Pig Comment

When I awoke to find the headline “Obama: lipstick on a pig” below a picture of Palin, I thought for a brief second that the election was over.

Then, I watched the video.  The obvious literal meaning of what he was saying was referring to McCain and not to Palin.  However, in light of Palin’s famous joke about hockey mom’s the statement takes on a different light:

"You know, they say, the difference between a hockey Mom and a pitbull?... Lipstick!"

I can’t say for certain what Obama’s intentions were regarding the statement.  If he did meant it as an underhanded way to poke fun at Palin.  But, we do know that he has a history of making these “subtle” gestures as a way to try to tear down his opponent.  Interestingly, this was against another female opponent back during the primary (it comes about 20 seconds in):

Most people have made off-color gestures or said crude things.  However, this is on stage in front of thousands of people.  Combined with the smug look on his face, the whole thing is hard to confuse.

Hot Air also has a compilation of other things he’s said on the trail about Sen. Clinton that could be construed as racist:

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

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

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

Now, most of these things are pretty benign.  The only exception I think is the quote from April 20th, which makes her seem like an angry housewife, and not a US Senator, and opponent in a race for President.

This may seem overly sensitive, but consider if the charges of sexism were flipped to racism.  The race would already be over.