By Allison Cepis
Is a lipstick-wearing running mate a possible feminist issue? Could the analogy of putting “lipstick on a pig” used in a political context be misconstrued as a sexist slur?
The presidential candidates and VPs were momentarily distracted by Barack Obama’s criticism of John McCain’s campaign. While disputing McCain’s claim of being an “agent of change”, Obama stated that McCain would perpetuate the same-old-song-and-dance type of administration Americans have seen before. He used the simile of putting “lipstick on a pig” to describe how (he believes) McCain’s claim of change is merely dressing up old, exhausted ways of government. Obama remarked, “John McCain says he’s about change, too - except for economic policy, health care policy, tax policy, education policy, foreign policy, and Karl Rove-style politics. That’s not change. That’s just calling the same thing something different. You can put lipstick on a pig - it’s still a pig.”
Surprisingly, it was not the Democrats who publicized Obama’s criticism of the McCain campaign, but rather the Republicans. The Republicans quickly seized his remark and used it against Obama. Soon enough, cries of sexism were reverberating throughout the Republican Party. As Kate Phillips of the New York Times describes in her article “McCain Ad: The Wolves Are Out Against Palin”, the McCain campaign complained that the Obama campaign was engaging in sexist portrayals of Governor Palin. Sarah Palin’s campaign spokesperson, Maria Comella, responded, “Barack Obama’s comments today are offensive and disgraceful. He owes Governor Palin an apology.” Strangely enough, Obama never mentioned Palin or even insinuated her. It has been solely the McCain campaign that has brought up charges of sexist jabs.
Obama, who obviously did not want his criticism of McCain to be squeezed into the ever-growing category called “sexism”, eagerly pounced on the opportunity to defend his remark. He described the response to the McCain campaign as “phony outrage”.
Fortunately for Republicans, there has been no reluctance for party voters to continue to support their candidate’s running mate. At McCain/Palin speeches, supporters have held up signs displaying painted lips with the resonating phrase, “Lipstick wearers unite!” Oddly enough, there was no unity of lipstick wearers within the Democratic Party earlier this year (May) when Senator McCain used the very same simile to describe Hillary Clinton’s health care plan. Supposedly, McCain finds it acceptable to condemn the very same remarks that one has made just months prior. McCain described Obama’s use of the quote as “offensive and disgraceful” and has accused Obama of smear tactics and sexism.
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