So for the record I believe lipstick on the pig did not refer to Palin, even obliquely, and I think it was a fair comment (or at least not sexist). I'm also sure I'm over-thinking things and I'm not sure I believe in what I'm typing next, but won't Obama ultimately benefit if the McCain camp constantly over-reacts and charges sexism etc?

Isn't that persistent fake outrage why a lot of independents ultimately disliked Hillary Clinton? The sense that her campaign was whiney, that her campaign needed special rules, etc? That her campaign was cashing in on pity rather than issues? And didn't taking umbrage to minimal comments back in June make Obama look foolish?

Why won't the same thing happen to the McCain camp now? Intentional or not, Obama's camp has now started a narrative that can grow into a lot of the unattractive qualities of the Clinton campaign. To my mind, sacrificing some news cycles in September so that this can come to fruition and dominant news cycles in October is potentially worthwhile.

The whole thing is absolutely ludicrous, especially when you consider that McCain used the same expression numerous times himself in the last year or so.

Stupid GOP.

...was to play Palin's remark about being a 'pit bull in lipstick' with Obama's comparison of the McCain "change" line as being "a pig in lipstick." Only by taking this that far out of context can you pretend that Obama "insulted" Palin.

While it would be tempting to retort 'No, I didn't call her a pig in lipstick, but she sure is a bitch on wheels!', Obama was better off deriding these tactics and calling them for what they are - 'Swiftboating.'

Damn Republicans. We owe it to the country to rub their faces in this come November 4.

Lipstick won't be enough. They've already used tons of highlighter and concealer. Might have to go to Botox next.

I am, of course, referring to their campaign and not their candidate.

I'll bet McCain is considering Botox anyway, if he hasn't tried it yet.

The Republicans think (apparently correctly) that they can have it both ways. Imagine the outrage if anyone other than Palin/McCain/Bush campaign called her a "pit bull in lipstick."

Bradley in NYC:

The Republicans think (apparently correctly) that they can have it both ways. Imagine the outrage if anyone other than Palin/McCain/Bush campaign called her a "pit bull in lipstick."

I don't think the repubs would have minded that, as on the one hand it's an insult, but on the other it demonstrates *respect* too. The pig thing doesn't give the same respect.

McCain/Palin are being tactical. In sports, the underdog often tries to keep the game close until the end, then hope for a lucky break. It often works. The manufactured outrage at Obama’s remark changes the subject from things that matter to the phony debate over whether Obama is or is not a sexist. The longer the subject stays changed the better from where McCain sits.

Having said that, it seems to me that part of the liberal frustration with this episode is the successful co-opting of the “achieve victim status” strategy so successfully employed by so many on the left for so long.