Wed, Sep 10, 2008 12:25pm ET

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NBC News political director: Media taking bait on "lipstick" comment "a joke," "laughable"

Summary: On Morning Joe, NBC News political director Chuck Todd said of media coverage of Sen. Barack Obama's comment that "[y]ou can put lipstick on a pig; it's still a pig" while discussing Sen. John McCain's proposed policies: "I think the McCain campaign is laughing, laughing their butts off this morning. That any of us have taken the bait on this lipstick thing, I mean, this is a joke. It is laughable." Time's Jay Carney stated that the McCain campaign's claim that Obama's comments represented "sexism" was "false" and "ridiculous."
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Posted by jinxx999844

I think the only way to counter Palin's false victimhood is to show archived video footage of Fred Thompson and John McCain saying the exact same reference to Lipstick on a Pig. Otherwise, the masses will follow the You Tube trail to hate mongering and dirty politics by re-playing out of context Obama's reference to Lipstick on a Pig.

Posted by wolf kotenberg in reply to jinxx999844

I wouldn't be surprised if historical records showed George Washington refered to the queen of England in such terminology.

Posted by zorkmundsson

"MITCHELL: What has happened to us here, guys?"

This sums up the attitude, to me. The mainstream media is finally realising that they've been played for the past god knows how many years; perhaps they're not in "We're mad as hell..." mode just yet, but who knows?

Posted by zorkmundsson in reply to zorkmundsson

A little more venting, but Buchanan's attitude just grinds my gears in a pretty brain-melting way. The "factual" stuff is boring.

Now, there are two ways of interpreting this. Either Buchanan himself feels this way, in which case his entire credibility as a pundit/talking head is blown out of the holy water, or he's doing a bit of interpretatin' of the attitudes he imagines the "ordinary voter" to hold, in which case it's condescending and, again, unknowable.

I wonder which it is.

Posted by shaggles

Absolutely amazing.  I can't believe this laughable story is getting any play.

Posted by Col. Harlan Sanders in reply to shaggles

HAHA! Look at us! Whatta buncha maroons, going right along with any BS the GOP sends us about their latest whine. Well that's the last time we fall for th.... wait, this just in! The McCain camp reports that Obama operatives didn't doff their hats to Sarah Palin when entering the same state that she was in. She is reportedly in "a tizzy", and GOP leaders are feeling faint at the alarming lack of chivalry!

Posted by zorkmundsson in reply to Col. Harlan Sanders

...NG NEWS...OBAMA USES MALE SINGULAR PRONOUN "HE" IN GENERIC REFERENCE TO EXPERIENCE OF AMERICAN VOTER- MCCAIN CAMPAIGN BLASTS DEMS' HETERONORMATIVE ATTITUDES TOWARDS RHETORICAL NORMS...BREAKI...

Posted by Governor in reply to Col. Harlan Sanders

To McCain's credit, he did place his coat over a puddle for Palin earlier today. That it was it a puddle of his own making matters not.

Posted by Bear in reply to Governor

Palin  immediately said “Thanks but…no thanks”  On the coat to nowhere.

Posted by foghornleghorn in reply to shaggles

Absolutely amazing.  I can't believe this laughable story is getting any play.

It's nothing new - been going on for years.  Remember Kerry's campaign line about if you don't educate yourself you end up in Iraq.  He was referring to Bush and the media ran with the lie that he was talking about the troops.

Posted by ukobserver

Okay, this is just one question but it needs to be asked:

 

IF THE MEDIA KNOW THIS IS JUST A FRICKING STUNT TO DEFLECT THEM FROM REAL DEBATE WHY ARE THEY EVEN WASTING TIME TO DISCUSS IT??!?!?!?

 

Whew, feel a bit better now.

Posted by donaldmaddog5642

Obviously NONE of these brilliant attack ideas are coming from McCain, himself. He is incapable of ideas. Even as Morning Joe is ridiculing this "story" they are being part of the story. Saying how laughable it is is like whistling in the cemetery. It may be just a sick joke to US, but not the the U.S. of A. (real Americans [Republicans]). We poor old liberals never learned how to play this dirty. Therein lies our inability to go on the offensive. "Liberal? Oh, God, no, not ME. Gee, I'm so sorry I come across that way. Please, please forgive me." Unless we Democrats grow some BALLS, we are on the way to another defeat in November. The line between cynicism and realism is thin, indeed.

Posted by peace4all

I watch this political campaign and it just makes me sick what is happening to our country.

The media is the problem. However, the issue is not media bias as some seem to push but media self interest. I tend to believe that most of the media, with a few exceptions. (Fox, MSNBC and some others) are not biased but do have a vested interest in controversy. They believe that contrasting the candidates policies are boring and will cause people to tune out for shows like big brother, wife swap, or whatever else is the make people look bad show of the week. Instead they fan the flames of nothing attacks like the lipstick on a pig comment. EVERYONE KNOWS that Obama was not referring to Sarah Palin, but to the idea that the McCain ticket can or will reverse the disaster that is the last eight years. The news media now has twenty four hours to fill with their droning white noise that informs no one of anything. This has got to stop. Our country is based on we the people. Unfortunately, we will never be able to take our government back from the self serving parasites that are ruling us until we take back the media and demand accurate information instead of the intellectual dumpster diving we are subjected to on a daily basis. Sites like MMFA help but the majority of this country still get their news from just one source. We have the power to change this. When you see the media run something you know is wrong. Write them and point it out. Call them and demand a correction. Threaten them with the fact that we the people do have to power to monitor them. We can write to their advertisers, lobby to re-instate the fairness doctrine. Obama may lose this election not because he is not the most qualified, but because the republicans are more adept at manipulating the media than the democrats. I have always hoped that I would leave this country a little better for my kids when I am gone. Unless we stand up, I’m afraid all I will be able to leave them is my deepest apologies.

I’m sorry if this rambles some, I kind of angry

Posted by anotheramerican in reply to peace4all

Peace,

While I agree with you that the media is interested in controversy, I think you shot yourself in the foot with your double negative question, "...Obama may lose this election not because he is not the most qualified,..."

Obviously he is not the most qualified.

Posted by Kyle_Broflovski in reply to anotheramerican

AA-

I believe you mean he's not the most 'experienced' candidate.  His judgment has clearly shown that he is the most qualified.

Posted by anotheramerican in reply to Kyle_Broflovski

Hahaha..What judgment?  His choice of words alone seems to contradict your assertion.

Posted by friedbergboy1422 in reply to anotheramerican

Do you really want to go down the gaffe line, AA?  I hear trouble is brewing in Germany with President Putin and along the Iraq/Pakistan border.  If speaking gaffes make you unqualified, why did you vote Bush?

Posted by funnymanpants in reply to anotheramerican

AA wrote:

>>Obviously he is not the most qualified. 

Why do you make such stupid statements here? You make them, people mock you (as they should), and then you disappear. "Obviously" you are stating an opinion and trying to pass it off as fact, and "obviously" you are purposefully trying to insult people without providing any argument. Why? 

Posted by skettle2000 in reply to peace4all

Whether or not he was or was not referring to Palin, he sounds pretty stupid out there and had better wise up as the campaign goes on.  He has got to be smooth.

I see now he is going to NYC to meet with Bill Clinton - to kiss the ring as they say.  I don't think he is going to get any help there.  Hillary wants him to lose so she can run for Prez in 4 years.  I'm voting Palin but if it were between Obama and Clinton I would vote Clinton 100 percent.  

I still can't figure out exactly what Obama has ever done because he has such a short record.   

 

Posted by foghornleghorn in reply to skettle2000

I'll take a short record (Obama) over a losing record (Bush) or an old, warped record (Gramps) anyday.

Posted by skettle2000 in reply to foghornleghorn

What about Palin's record ? Only agent of Change I see amoung all 4.. all you guys say is BUSH, ROVE,BUSH ROVE I hate BUSH ROVE BuSh rove.. argcha.. afsdfasd BUsh.rove...

 

Posted by funnymanpants in reply to skettle2000

Skettle wrote:

>>What about Palin's record ? Only agent of Change I see 

You mean her record on refusing the bridge to nowhere and her earmarks, and her undergoing an investigation for abuse of power? That sounds exactly like Bush--a corrupt poll who tries to appear folksy, lies, and is incompetent.  

Posted by skettle2000 in reply to funnymanpants

We've been through this before FUNNYPANTS.  Obama had chance to not vote for earmark but he did... BAD CHOICE.

He had chance to send money to New Orleans to help with Katrina but did not.

Geez I hear that SuperCollider revving up... looking for God's particle... just remember FUNNYPANTS the truth will set you free... either that or be prepared for hell.

Posted by paranoid365031 in reply to peace4all

Peace, I heartily agree with every word you wrote. Until everybody who is capable of critical thinking says ENOUGH to this BS, by hitting them where it hurts, we will continue to march to our doom.

Posted by proudconservative

At least no one is asking why Omaba and Biden are rated the number 1 and number 3 most liberal senators.  "So you got that going for you, which is nice."

Posted by RABBITLUVR in reply to proudconservative

And that has what to do with the thread topic?

Posted by snoopy in reply to RABBITLUVR

what does that lie have to do with the truth?

Posted by proudconservative in reply to RABBITLUVR

At least Media Matters (for very little) can focus on something other than misinformation about the candidates' liberal/not liberal standing.  This is a victory for you guys!

Head's up MM(fvl), a poll is coming out that Senator McCain maybe in the top ten 'maverick' list in the Senate.  Get to work on supressing that tidbit please.

Posted by snoopy in reply to proudconservative

At least you admit it. McCain has no platform so his only chance of winning is to keep throwing crap in the hopes that something sticks. Why don't y'all just take that last step and come out screaming "Vote for McCain because Obama is a N!&&#R"?

Posted by anotheramerican in reply to snoopy

Snoop,

Another example of projection. Calling Obama names yourself and assign it to your opponents only makes you look bad.

Posted by snoopy in reply to anotheramerican

Now THAT's projection, AA. I said why don't they, not that they did. Are you trying to deny that they haven't been calling him names or insinuating things? Are you really gonna suggest that?

Posted by anotheramerican in reply to snoopy

Snoop,

You are the only one spelling out racial epithets. 

Trying to blame it on others simply does not work.  Just say it was in poor taste and move on.

Posted by snoopy in reply to anotheramerican

Please, show me where I blamed it on others? Show me how saying "Why don't you get it over with" is the same as "you are calling him"? Your projection is quite laughable considering all day long you've been basically agreeing with McCain's sexism charge and saying Obama should apologize. So show me, inquiring minds want to know...

Posted by Kyle_Broflovski in reply to proudconservative

Also, I hear there's a poll coming out that has McCain listed at #1, #1a, and #1b in number of flip-flops by Senators over the last 8 years.

Posted by skettle2000

Far as I'm concerned I'll give the Messiah the benefit of the doubt on this one.  

But he should have been a little smarter in his choice of words.

 

 

Posted by snoopy in reply to skettle2000

Gee, that's awful white of you...

Posted by proudconservative in reply to snoopy

dawg,

Thanks for avoiding that race thing that the left never brings up because leftists can't be racists who look at race first because the left is all about diversity and inclusion without noticing race ever, ever, ever.

Next time, maybe just say, "That was a non-racially/genderly/agely/religiously/culturally identified minimization of your intention." 

Glad to be of assistance.

Your friendly politically correct thought police officer.  :)

Posted by snoopy in reply to proudconservative

Why would you assume that white here refers to racism? Are you suggesting that this statement is some common term that has come to denote a racist phrase? I've never heard it before. In fact, in this context white refers to clean, or colorless, or greyed, even transparent as in "that's awfully transparent of you". Man, you're just like the press, so quick to jump to conclusions... 

Posted by foghornleghorn in reply to snoopy

I think PROCON was trying to be humorous.  But in the usual righty fashion, his joke fell flat.

Posted by anotheramerican in reply to snoopy

Snoop,

You're posts are making it look like you are a racist. I hope that is not the case.

Posted by snoopy in reply to anotheramerican

You seem to be projecting a lot today...

Posted by MayberryDrunk in reply to anotheramerican

Heck yes he posts racist statements.  We all know what that "white" comment means and spelling a racist name is not immunity.

Posted by proudconservative in reply to snoopy

snoopolicious,

Thanks for correcting me and my inference that this would ever be a term related to race.  Beyond that, for me to think so poorly of someone from the left and even for a second believing that someone so ideological 'pure', 'clean', 'transparent' as you could be bigoted and/or racist is reprehensible.  I also apologize for exposing you to a term now that will forever now be laden with racial overtones.  I know you will be hard pressed now to come up with another phrase to replace, "that's awful white of you", that denotes displeasure with someone's tolerance of a view you disagree with. Apologies, me amigo.

 

PS.  Does this make me the black sheep of the MM(fvl) family?

Posted by snoopy in reply to proudconservative

I'm just glad you can laugh at the irony intended.

Posted by proudconservative in reply to snoopy

I did laugh and acheived gladness,thanks.

Posted by skettle2000 in reply to snoopy

What are you talking about ?

Posted by proudconservative in reply to skettle2000

skittles,

Turn back the page and look at the thread!

Posted by Graydogs

And I suppose the dozens of outraged Republican leaders, and McCain advisers, are all aware "it's a joke" as they have told MSNBCfor the past 36 hours or so, that it is obvious that Obama meant to attack Palin becuase the people in the room arrupted in cheers and laughter????

 Gee, I would think they would erupt with cheers and clapping for Obama for simply pointing out the hypocrisy of the McCain/Palin "change" mantra.

Posted by perdix

I think Obama is skirting the issue.

Posted by perdix in reply to perdix

I really think he should address it.

Posted by anotheramerican in reply to perdix

In either case, he's giving the story legs.

Posted by Graydogs

Ummmmm....can these right wing talking point backfire too? Repeated McCain supporters have shown up on MSNBC today stating that Obama is a very smart guy.....very smart...well educated, and articulate, and so he KNOWS why he used that word that way, you can be sure it was aimed at Palin. Oh....well that explains it all doesn't it.

The right wing is telling the public how well educated, smart and articulate Obama is to make their points now?.....uhhh, okay....smart, educated and articualte sounds like great start for a president.

However...slowly, but surely, some in the media are pointing out what great liars McCain and Palin are......with videos and past words as proof.

Posted by Graydogs

Mark Whitaker, NBC Washington Bureau chief just made a great analogy on MSNBC, and I'll see if I can remember it as he told viewers:

You have a room of people, and you tell them to watch a basketball being passed around a circle of people, and to count how many times the ball is passed.

The people come up with various counts, but they are told that while they were counting, a man in a gorilla suit walked into the room. No one saw the man in the gorrilla suit.

Mark Whittaker said this is what all this distraction is about. No one is going to notice the important things in this campaign while people are focused on distractions....just like man in the gorilla suit. 

 

Posted by WildBill81

What I find impressive, is how the McCain campaign tries a strategy, finds out it doesn't work, then does a 180 degree turnaround to try another strategy, and they're contradiction seems to go completely unnoticed by the media.  Specifically, their original strategy seemed to be to paint Obama as too inexperienced, but then by picking Palin as their VP choice, they're saying that a person can be president without any National level experience whatsoever . . .

Posted by Indy

Remember this and McCain's little chuckle as he milks it for more laughs from this nasty excuse of a human beings outward smugness and hateful statement?  So go away you whinny little republican hypocrites. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fnvPpSta7WQ   

Posted by snoopy in reply to Indy

Barack asked me to put together an apology card to send the McCain camp. Which one do you think I should go with?

Posted by proudconservative in reply to snoopy

Snoop,

What happened to your poop pic and threadline?

Posted by iyamchazz2447

WOW...and McCain used the lipstick on a pig phrase at least three times this year. His daughter admits he uses it and the media go bonkers...gimme a break! He who pays the piper calls the tune. The media has been bought and boy, are they singing!

Posted by vzspam44

You idiot Nobama supporters just "dont get it".  You are just posting and replying to yourselves.  - and you only represent a tiny fraction of supposed "Obama Supporters".  Its so laughable - watching you fight each other...while the "masses" ignore these debates.

We conservatives were also hoping for a change - and would have voted WITH YOU had you not put up a charlatan.  Stop listening to Ben Affleck, Madonna, the radical left weridos, and the European Community and start listening to the PEOPLE of AMERICA.

As far as this MASSIVE voter turnout you are expecting....  you WILL receive 92% of the BLACK vote (oh, that is not racist) but of all the fraudulent voter registration you did - very few will show up as they could care less, have no id, or have no right to vote.

A voter can make the most impact by voting in local elections where their vote has direct impact immediately.   Last month, hardly anyone bothered to show up to my local elections - one of the lowest turnouts ever.

You are kidding yourself.  I cant wait to see your faces!   ha HA HA

 

 

 

Posted by vzspam44

The media behind McCain.  Ha.  If only you knew how ridicules that sounds.  But you dont know and that is the fatal flaw with the Democratic-Liberal stance.  You just can't believe that a majority of people have a different opinion. They are just too busy working and taking care of their families to voice it.

We are not the people being paid to vote or being picked up in air conditioned buses and taken to the polls.  We are REAL taxpayers with real challenges and concerns - not of our own making.

We simply need to be mobilized by someone like Palin. Weep, weep, weep.  I wonder what Oprah is going to say when the riots begin...

Here's Oprah's house: http://members.cox.net/deleyd2/deleytours/oprahestate.jpg

Here's Obama's house:http://sedulia.blogs.com/photos/everywhere_else/barack_obamas_house.jpg

Yes. This is representative of the desperate masses they represent.  Really. Ha.  Quit pulling my wang.