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Barack Obama, Charming Fellow
Remember that little video we had a few posts back where Arkansas Project contributor Freeman Hunt and several of her compatriots from the distaff side of the blogosphere affirmed that they would not be intimidated by “threats, sexism and insults” from liberals?
Yeah, let’s focus in on that “insults” bit. It might be a good idea for someone to suggest to Barack Obama that making remarks that can be readily construed as comparing the GOP’s female vice-presidential nominee to a pig comes off as something less than gentlemanly:
Is it just me, or is Obama starting to look like that guy in every Jane Austen novel who initially everyone finds to be charming and beguiling but who ultimately reveals himself to be a careless and despicable cad?
Noted: The LA Times notes that Mike Huckabee doesn’t think Obama meant it that way: “It’s an old expression, and I’m going to have to cut Obama some slack on that one,” Huckabee told Fox News. Meanwhile, the Hotline argues that the McCain camp should be wary of “crying wolf” on charges of sexism.
Update, 7:27 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 10: Since I posted this 24 hours ago, I now look over and see that the “lipstick on a pig” debate is still on the front of Drudge Report, Arkansas Times bloggers are still rebutting the matter and Obama’s talking about it with David Letterman tonight. Seriously? Twenty-four hours? How many 21st century news cycles has this issue eaten up now?
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7 Responses to “Barack Obama, Charming Fellow”
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September 10th, 2008 at 9:43 am
Just because something is an old “sexist” expression doesn’t excuse its meaning in context. Huck’s endorsement of this smear shows how deeply he resents Palin as the so-con’s new leader.
September 10th, 2008 at 10:13 am
I agree completely with Rob
September 10th, 2008 at 10:20 am
Rob,
Your point about ‘context’ is very important, given the connotation that “lipstick” has in the post-Palin world.
Let’s think about it this way: If McCain was debating Hillary Clinton and criticizing her and said “That’s the pot calling the kettle black,” we’d think nothing of it. If he was debating Obama and said the same thing, I’m pretty sure all of our jaws would drop. In one context, it’s an innocent old expression; in another, it’s a gaffe. I can’t say for certain that Obama intended it as an insult, but it was certainly sloppy.
September 10th, 2008 at 12:03 pm
Kinkade, the fact that you have read Jane Austen novels concerns me.
September 10th, 2008 at 12:08 pm
Bill,
I don’t actually read Austen novels. I overheard some fellows talking about them at a football game I was attending. Or maybe it was a hunting trip. It was definitely something rugged and macho.
D.
September 10th, 2008 at 1:54 pm
Dave, perhaps you should write about your rugged outdoors experience with the Jane Austen book club here:
http://www.jonesborosun.com/outdoor_writers.php
Enjoy reading The Arkansas Project. Be well. Stacy
September 10th, 2008 at 2:14 pm
Stacy,
I prepared a submission, but the editor rejected it because my prose style was “too manly.” It was profoundly disappointing.
D.