At a 2008 Newsweek Forum on Women in Leadership, Republican VP nominee, Sarah Palin, addressed the "perceived sexism" that was espoused toward Hillary Clinton during her Democratic campaign. According to Palin, it does women a "disservice" to bring up sexism in such situations, that women should just "expect" it and, in turn, "work harder" to "prove themselves," to demonstrate that they can do the job. She also stated that women should just "plow through it." Really?

Seriously, how things change when the shoe is on the proverbial other foot, eh?

When Obama made the "lipstick on a pig" comment this week (by the way...I referenced lipstick on a pig when discussing Palin in an earlier post - BEFORE Obama did) you'd think that he'd threatened her firstborn. The McCain camp has responded crying "sexism," arguing that the reference was made toward Palin and is derogatory. Really?

Pot, meet kettle.

Why, all of a sudden, is McCain playing this card? Why isn't Palin just "plowing through it?" Personally, I don't care if the comment was directed toward Palin or not...I hope it was; however, Obama states it was not. WHO CARES? The Republican camp has been nailing Obama with labels such as a shadow terrorist, closet Muslim, and a whole slew of meant-to-be degrading descriptives; though, I still am curious why they feel being a Muslim, which Obama is not, should be a negative. Unfortunately, in politics, this is part of the game. No one called her an out-and-out slanderous name; I mean, it's not like he came out called a spade a spade and said she's a crazed, right-wing, evangelical, sarcastic, lying SOB. Now, THAT, might have been actual NEWS.

Instead, Obama made a comment about how you can put lipstick on a pig, but it's still a pig. Well, if that is a sexist statement that hurt her sensitive feelings, then she only has herself to blame. Why? Because when she stated during her RNC speech that the only difference between a pit bull and hockey moms was lipstick (personally, I like Bill Maher's answer better....the difference is you can neuter a pit bull), she pulled the first sexist punch. Follow the logic...she was talking about HOCKEY MOMS. Therefore, hockey moms = pit bulls? Granted, this is flawed logic, but so is equating lipstick on a pig to pig = women, specifically Palin. So, I guess it's okay to reference women to pit bulls, but not to pigs? Hum.....seems someone is prejudiced against pigs to me.

In addition....as has been reported on CNN and other media outlets, this is NOT the first time Obama has used the phrase about lipstick on a pig. In addition, McCain has also been caught using this same reference. In fact, as Larry King pointed out tonight, McCain used it in reference to a Hillary Clinton proposal! Again, pot meet kettle.

If the Republicans are so outraged about sexism, where was the outrage during Hillary Clinton campaign? Where were these Johhny Come Lately sexism criers when the "Hillary Clinton Nutcrackers" came on the market? Where were they when the "Bros before Ho's" tee-shirts were marketed? Where were they when all the other comments regarding her femaleness, hairstyle, clothing, etc. were made? I guess sexism just matters when it's one of their Republican sisters who are being degraded.

Really people? Is this what is most important during a political campaign that is to decide who is to run the greatest and most powerful country on Earth? Is that what we have come to...debating lipstick and pigs rather than real issues, such as the environment, foreign policy, women's rights, immigration, etc., etc.? This is shameful. Sad and shameful and I am embarrassed.

Shame on you John McCain and Sarah Palin. Shame on you for being so clearly hypocritical. Is your campaign so light on substance that you must attempt to focus on playground antics rather than real substance? I can only hope that the American people can see through this ploy and see it for what it is: an attempt to create drama and divert American attention away from real issues. Are they scared that if we took a look at real issues we would see that McCain is more of the same? That he is an extension of the Bush presidency? That he has had over 30 years of Washington politics and not too much to show for it?

I also have a shame on you for Obama...shame on him for not lashing out, growing a pair, and standing up to McCain. Put on your big-boy pants and FIGHT BACK. Typically, two wrongs don't make a right, but in politics it apparently does. Fight back! Stand up for yourself and those who believe in you! If you don't, McCain will win. And that, my friends, is a scary, scary thought.

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September 11, 2008 4:22 PM

[0+|0-]  Risolutezza said:

Thank you! I've been feeling this way about Obama for a long time. While I admire the fact that he's not running a negative campaign, he should stand up for himself! That's not negative!!

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September 12, 2008 2:11 AM

[0+|0-]  chancluda said:

"shame on him for not lashing out, growing a pair, and standing up to McCain. Put on your big-boy pants and FIGHT BACK."

Grow a pair?
put on your big boy pants?
(in order to fight back??.....)

Pot meet kettle indeed.

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