Obama to Letterman: ‘Lipstick on a Pig’ Comment Was Not About Palin

Obama to Letterman: ‘Lipstick on a Pig’ Comment Was Not About Palin
Barack Obama was David Letterman’s special guest on Wednesday’s “Late Show,” and during the appearance, Obama vigorously denied that his “lipstick on a pig” comment was directed at Sarah Palin, calling the notion silly and Palin herself "a skilled politician."

"This is a sort of silly season in politics, not that there's a non-silly season, but it gets sillier," Obama said, continuing: "And it's a common expression in at least Illinois. I don't know about New York City. I don't know what you put lipstick on here."

The Democratic presidential nominee said he used the expression as a metaphorical way of contending that Republican rival John McCain’s proposed economic policies won’t change things in Washington, D.C.

"Just calling [ideas] change, calling them different doesn't make it better, hence lipstick on a pig," Obama explained.

And he added: "Keep in mind, technically, had I meant it this way, she [Palin] would be the lipstick … The failed policies of John McCain would be the pig … just following the logic of this illogical situation.”

Earlier in the day Obama accused McCain's campaign of resorting to "lies and phony outrage" regarding outcry over the "pig" comment.

Published 9/11/08 by the Insider

Comments (13)

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  • Those comments made by obama was not meant for Palin! The McCain campaign is getting worry that Obama is going to win! The McCain campaign should give up because they don't have a chance to win at all.
    Anonymous 10/5/08 Reply
  • I'm a 45 year old woman. Sarah Palin makes all us women look pitiful. Gross. Sarah, you should (as a women) be smarter than to follow Bush politics. You give us a bad (dumb) name.
    shesays 9/15/08 Reply
  • I'm wondering how McCain expects to get the women's vote with Palin, when in fact, his record shows he's been: Voting against a measure aimed at helping women achieve pay equity. Voting repeatedly against funding to fight and prevent domestic...
    Anonymous 9/14/08 Reply
  • Exactly! Nothing destroyed the image of McCain for me more than the selection of Sarah Palin. When McCain spoke at my wife's graduation from OSU, I thought to myself "that's a guy I could vote for, plus I really don't like Hillary". Now I see him as...
    Anonymous 9/12/08 Reply
  • If the McCain-Palin ticket wins, she will deserve all credit for the win. I'll blame Obama for not picking Hillary as his VP, and then hope for Gore in 2012.
    Anonymous 9/12/08 Reply
  • I gave money to the McCain Campaign earlier this year. I am voting for Obama in November. Palin scares the hell out of me.
    Anonymous 9/11/08 Reply
  • Sarah Palin Rocks
    Anonymous 9/11/08 Reply
  • Republicans see the remark about lipstick as an affront upon Palin, because she uses the term in her promotional speeches (like "You know the difference between a hockey mom and a pit bull? Lipstick."), while Democrats state that the common...
    Anonymous 9/11/08 Reply
  • when we already have one liar thats leaveing the house (good) the only thing that matters is we get someone no matter of what race or sex get in the office ..just as long as they really are out for the people..
    Anonymous 9/11/08 Reply
  • not to mention the fact that Mc cain is trully older than he said n Sarah lieing about her child to which is trully the child of her daughters baby ..Why would our people of this nation want 2 liars in the house.
    Anonymous 9/11/08 Reply
    • You don't know what you are talking about. You need to learn how to speak and to type. That is not the Palin's granddaughter. Stop spreading lies-MORON
      Anonymous 9/11/08
  • this is trully crazy the way Mc Cain is useing his VP to win for president he would just be another Bush useing someone else to do there durty work..Mc Cain knew he couldn't win with Obama without Sarah talking for him
    Anonymous 9/11/08 Reply
  • What is this world really coming too.My only question is during all of this election going on whos running for who? Noone has said anything about Mc Cain useing his VP..its more of Sarah vs. Obama instead/Obamavs.Mccain
    Anonymous 9/11/08 Reply