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Obama on Letterman: If That's What I'd Meant, Palin Would Be the Lipstick, ‘McCain's Failed Policies’ the Pig

September 10, 2008 5:56 PM

In an interview on the "Late Show with David Letterman" to air later tonight, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., answers some questions on the lipstick controversy.

Letterman asks Obama if he still thinks the Republicans are overreacting to his comments last night.

"Look this is ... sort of silly season in politics –- not that there’s a non-silly season in politics," Obama says. "But it gets sillier, and it’s a common expression, at least in Illinois, I don’t know about New York City, I don’t know where you guys put lipstick on here."

To audience laughter, Obama says, "In Illinois, the expression connotes the idea that if you have a bad idea -- in this case, I was talking about John McCain’s economic plans -- that just calling them change, calling it something different doesn’t make it better. Hence, lipstick on a pig is still a pig."

"What I like about this scenario is because they -– the Republicans -- demanded an apology," Letterman says, "so that means there had been a meeting at some point somewhere along the line (of) they got together and said, 'You know what? He called our vice presidential candidate a pig.' Well, that seems pretty unlikely, doesn’t it?"

"It does," agrees Obama. "Keep in mind that, technically had I meant it this way –- she would be the lipstick!"

The audience laughs, but Letterman is confused.

"You are way ahead of me," says the late night host.

"The failed policies of John McCain would be the pig," Obama says. "I mean, just following the logic of this illogical situation."

At another point, Letterman asks Obama, "Have you ever actually put lipstick on a pig?"

"The answer would be no," Obama responds. "But I think it might be fun to try."

-- Jake Tapper and Sunlen Miller

September 10, 2008 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (727)

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come on people stop the bs grow the hell
up,palin is a dipstick and the world
knows it obama may not have experience
what president have had experience
none at least PRESIDENT OBAMA IS SMART

Posted by: GA | Oct 2, 2009 4:57:33 PM

Although I generally like David Letterman's wit and humor, his choice of guests quite often discust me. Obama is on his socialist agenda big time and all us lemmings are allowing him to manipulate at will.
Quite frankly, I feel Letterman and his political views show me that he's as hypnotized and removed from reality as are the idiots that voted for Obama in the election. How are all you Obama voters feeling now? Are you starting to feel the sting of your uneducated decisions????? Choke on it.

Posted by: Scott Wulff | Sep 22, 2009 11:33:45 AM

i think our celebrity president loved by the media

Posted by: kip | Sep 22, 2009 12:26:48 AM


Sep 11, 2008 6:04:22 AM

Remarks posted by Deb Sep 11, 2008 6:04:22 AM

“In the most detailed examination yet of Senator John McCain’s eligibility to be president, a law professor at the University of Arizona has concluded that neither Mr. McCain’s birth in 1936 in the Panama Canal Zone nor the fact that his parents were American citizens is enough to satisfy the constitutional requirement that the president must be a “natural-born citizen.”
State Department manual on U.S. citizenship has to say about children born on U.S. military installations:
Despite widespread popular belief, U.S. military installations abroad and U.S. diplomatic or consular facilities are not part of the United States within the meaning of the 14th Amendment. A child born on the premises of such a facility is not subject to the jurisdiction of the United States and does not acquire U.S. citizenship by reason of birth”


“Comment”

You are laughable!!! Any child born to a service member, no matter where they are, so long as they are on active duty is in fact a “natural born citizen”. I think you need to take your head out of your liberal books. The United States Constitution does not define the term “natural born citizen”; however, it does confer on Congress the power: “To establish a uniform Rule of Naturalization.” If Congress, the president, or any true American had a problem with it, I am pretty sure that they would have taken up the issue by now.
The funny thing here is that you are questioning whether McCain is a Natural born Citizen when both his parents are Citizens. His father served in the Army for the United States of America, and was deployed to the Panama Canal, at the request of CONGRESS, the President at the time, and the American people. LOL!!!! Yet, the one you should really be questioning is Obama citizenship. Obama’s mother married a non-citizen, at least that is what we are being told, and his father was born in Africa, his mother traveled outside of America for several years, as did her children. Obamba spent several years in Africa as a child with his biological father. I know that if I were to leave America for 6 months or more that I would be at risk for losing my citizenship. So where does this leave Obama????? Do you care? “I can answer that for you” NO!

Posted by: Maria | Sep 14, 2008 1:00:52 PM

I wish Tom Russett were alive. He would get to the bottom of McCains lies and distortions. He would also flush out the truth about Sarah Palin. There is a big differance in the qalifications for govener of a state which has a very small population and is filthy rich from $120.00 a barral oil and the qualification for vice president. Sarah the phony just does not cut the mustard.

Posted by: Patrick | Sep 13, 2008 5:10:49 PM

After reading yards of partisan vitriol it struck me that that is the reason why Congress has even a lower ratings than the President! Partisan cheap shots and Congress playing to the crowd mentality. It is the ISSUES that count not caterwalling and personal attack. When are we going to be grown ups and insist that Government behaves maturely. There is surprisingly, something to be said of mass hysteria.

Posted by: Victory | Sep 13, 2008 9:43:32 AM

Never voted for a Democrat before. Palin is qualified to be a prom queen, nothing more. We cannot stand any more of this devisive garbage. Where did ny party go? I guess Obama will have to get us out of the ditch. My beloved Rubublican party has gone intellectually bamkrupt.

Posted by: Jason | Sep 12, 2008 3:14:01 PM

All I wanted to say here and "right now" -- not discordantly I hope (yes, hope) -- is that Sarah Palin's first name makes her the namesake of Obama's Kenyan grandmother, whose first name is Sarah too. But you knew that already!

Would Sarah invite Sarah to Alaska, after Obama's inauguration January 20th next? That would be a truly wonderful global connect. In doing so, Sarah would have the opportunity to ask Sarah what her middle name is, or how it came about that there is such a meme at Kogelo.

There is a history there worth hearing: of journeys from Alego and sojourns in the Kendu Bay area and all the way back to Alego.

And Sarah would, graciously, accept an invitation to Kogelo. And it would be doubly wonderful.

But Sarah wouldn't stay more than a day or two in Alaska, far from it; and far as that place is from anywhere (except the Siberian permafrost)!

There is no permalink there!

Nor will she in Washington, D.C., glorious as what will have brought her to that world capital may be (she's made that abundantly clear to all who understand Kiswahili and Dholuo).

See, she doesn't care much for winter! Don't ask me if she has ever felt its full freeze -- its relentless squeeze upon the ear, outdoors -- as I have. And a bunch of "unaccomplished" thieves, knowing she is away, might try again (as they did this week) to break into her iconic home at Kogelo.

She has a home there, you see, not a house. The difference was settled long ago.

In D.C., however, she will not wonder why a whole nation, with all that wealth, will want her grandson to put up in a house, and not a home, even if it be the House. She knows the difference in these things, and she loves the thought.

Posted by: Mauri Yambo | Sep 12, 2008 8:15:56 AM

It is so sad that the American people can not see the truth. Obama will destroy this country, he will take away all your freedoms to make this nation weak so that his terrorist buddies can march right in and take over! Obama hates the USA why can't people see that?
Is the American people that undereducated that they can be lead so blindly to vote for a leader that hates the USA?
McCain is not G. Bush he has different views and will keep America strong! Ron Paul will Also be a good choice for America!
But Obama will destroy us!
Don't let this country die with Obama, Please America see the truth!

Posted by: Joe | Sep 12, 2008 8:09:40 AM

Look here!

Sarah Palin insult the American spirit of service to the nation by ridiculing Obama service to the community. Who is this young person who will contribute towards community if Palin is vice president? Useless job of course. No, I meant Sarah doesn't get it.

Sarah Palin insult democracy by saying she is not going to Washington to seek good opinion of people and commentators. Talk of a fake leader!

Sarah Palin talks of how she is going to get things done. And when I look over her shoulders, I see the same Bush cronies following her. Will she get rid of them when she get to White House? Of course not. She owe them a lot for helping her get where she is. And did I hear she was quoted saying she doesn't know the work of the vice president? Oh I hope Americans don't get into trap of Steve and Karl Rove.

And different between Cheney and Palin? lipstick.

Posted by: Gideon | Sep 12, 2008 4:06:14 AM

I don't get it -- is that the only difference between a dog and a hockey mom? Lipstick?

Hey, did you see talk of Biden pulling a surprise by stepping down and Hillary taking his place. The Republicans would never know what hit him! Pit Bull Palin getting all ready to debate Biden. Then at the last minute, Hillary shows up. Hoooo! Would the Republicans scream bloody murder. Boy, would that be a massacre! The Palin-McBush party would be over!

Posted by: Leonardo | Sep 11, 2008 11:57:24 PM

Did anyone notice that Michelle Obama was present to show her respect for the 9/11 event. All the Cindy, Laura,others were there but her. She should have attended.

Posted by: rick22reed | Sep 11, 2008 11:26:16 PM

I just watched the Palin/Gibson interview.

I hope everyone watches it.

I don't believe that comments will change someones opinions but I hope people see what I saw in Palin.

I did not see someone speaking from the heart. I saw someone saying what people will want to hear. She is a brilliant politician.

Posted by: John | Sep 11, 2008 10:32:30 PM

kambiz - Why wouldn't he say that she's a brilliant politician? Anything else would've been considered sexist.

Posted by: Anita | Sep 11, 2008 9:26:19 PM

Obama to Letterman: Sarah Palin is "a brilliant politician." Thanks, Obama. I will vote for brilliance over neverending Democratic smarminess any day.

Posted by: kambiz | Sep 11, 2008 9:06:17 PM

Gee must be Michelle alway put her own make up on.


This bozo knew exactly what he was saying and who's goat he was going after in making this comment. Only the fools fooling themselves could possibly think otherwise.


This was nothing more than a forced comment to gain attention. The office is just the winning point of a very rediculous game for both parties.

Get over it and state at least one idea that has merit and detail........

Posted by: freethought4u | Sep 11, 2008 8:01:47 PM

Dwight are you serious? So we should elect officials based on their need to heal???Crazy Man say what?????

Posted by: Elle_Woods | Sep 11, 2008 8:00:21 PM

Ashleigh wrote:

>Obama was arrogant, defiant, >unapologetic and disrespectful on the >David Letterman show.

And Palin was arrogant, defiant, demeaning, and disrespectful during her acceptance speech. The Republican delgates hooted, hollered, and laughed.

Please tell me why the Republican delegates were able laugh at her speech and the Obama crowd can't laugh at his? There's a double standard going on here.

>He was most definitely referring to >Palin / McCain with the lipstick / >fish comment and he sure enjoyed the >applause over this very distasteful, >repulsive joke.

The comments were aimed at McCain policies, not at the candidates personally. Please read the transcript. On the other hand, the attacks on Obama during her acceptance speech WERE personal.

>He has a real issue with powerful >women.

If he has such an issue with powerful women then why is he married to Michelle, a fellow Harvard graduate and accomplished professional woman in her own right?

>He mistreated Hillary Clinton as well.

Hillary was mainly mistreated by her own campaign advisers, not Obama. They are the ones who did not know what to do when the race wasn't wrapped up on Super Tuesday.

>Obama is full of empty words and has >little experience.

Sounds exactly like Palin to me. Very little experience on the world scene and after one speech full of vague generalities lots of people seem willing to follow her anywhere.

>He is not ready to lead this country

Nor is she. I wouldn't be so worried if McCain wasn't 72 years old. He should be ashamed of himself for putting forward a relative unknown just two months before the election. We will not have a chance to get to know her and make an informed decision in November. Totally disrespectful to the voters.

>but he is obviously ready to smear. He >will keep this country divided.

Most of McCain's ads have been proven to be either deliberately misleading or blatantly false. McCain HIRED the man who produced a smear ad against him in a previous election. So what does that say about him?


Posted by: Charlotte | Sep 11, 2008 7:09:08 PM

Hey Citizen Voter, at Sep 11, 2009 3:14:04 PM, you are so right! Pete J at the mark Sep 11,2008 2:45:36 PM hit the nail right on the head...I really bust a gut on that one. I am still trying to pull myself together I laughed so hard. Everyone should read it and refer the next person coming on here to read it. I promise they will be thoroughly entertained whether Republican or Democrat...Excuse me, I have to go see my doctor to check if I broke a rib laughing so hard.

Posted by: Paul P | Sep 11, 2008 6:06:39 PM

Palin has a record of proven bipartisanship? Where? What? She wants to keep our children stupid and ill informed about their own bodies.She sees nothing wrong with marrying her 17yr old daughter off to her gum chewing boyfriend. Not to mention she thinks God started our war and is on our side.God dosen't start wars. People start wars.She thinks her religion and her beliefs are the only way. I wonder what the leaders of foreign countries will think about that. Can you say Isreal?

Posted by: Miki | Sep 11, 2008 5:51:29 PM

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