Lipstick and the politics of distraction

Posted: Wednesday, September 10, 2008 4:23 PM by Cathy Finkler

by Chris Matthews

Think about how people twenty years from now might look back at this 2008 election. The energy crunch has grown to cripple the economy. We're moving product on old railroads and gas-guzzling trucks. The air is clogged with pollution again from fossil fuels because it's all we have.

India, China, Russia, Brazil are grabbing and outbidding us for resources; our failed education system has cost us our innovative edge. We can't compete. We've fallen back to a second-rate power.

And the young people twenty years from now, and the older folks who can remember it will look back at this fateful election of 2008 that set the course for the century and see videotapes of us arguing about lipstick.

Lipstick.

This game that's being played is not an insult of a candidate. It's an insult to the intelligence of our democracy, which is really all we have, each of us, to decide and build the future.

Our only escape is to force ourselves, against all the distractions, to think through the hearts and minds of those young people who will have to live in the world we are now deciding who's to build, who's to lead us to.

Watch the complete video of Chris taking Republican strategist John Feehery to task on why this debate is being discussed.

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Comments

Thank you Chris for tonight's show . . .. you were pushing people to answer your questions about the ridiculousness of this "pig" thing . . and when they don't, it speaks so loudly for who and what those people are. I would give anything to know what us private citizens can do to bring these candidates and their people front and center with the very important issues that are out there, rather than all this utter nonsense.
But thanks for trying . . ..

Justine Vernon, Fall Creek, Wisconsin (Sent Wednesday, September 10, 2008 6:00 PM)

Chris,
While i agree that this lipstick comment is all dribble, its obvious what he meant why else would that statement have gotten a standing ovation.that crowd knew exactly what he meant

alan lovitt (Sent Wednesday, September 10, 2008 6:01 PM)

Cmon Chris - get with it. You need to push back. This is a classic and transparent Rovian tactic. By getting pundits like you to treat an absurd proposition with something like respect and "balance," the Rove disciples get the effect they want. Pure street magic - misdirection, and suddenly the crowd is no longer looking where they should. And how about their choice for a messenger? Jane Swift (Freudian slip there - Swift swiftboating), the former unelected Gov. of Massachusetts who got caught doing the same things that Palin is accused of doing. Only Swift's "troopergate" was rolled together with her misuse of state resources. Look it up!

Sven Wiberg, Portsmouth, NH (Sent Wednesday, September 10, 2008 6:06 PM)

The media needs to stop making such a big deal about the "lipstick jungle" and false accusations made by supporters of the McCain campaign. Instead the media needs to ignore these pointless distractions and focus on the issues. Every reporter is responsible for providing the hard facts and holding each campaign directly responsible for any lie or mistaken comment.

Betsy Nelson, Murrysville, Pennsylvania (Sent Wednesday, September 10, 2008 6:09 PM)

Please enough about the lipstick..The family that can't feed their family is not interested...Where are the issues to help..Pahlin brought any attacks on herself as she continues to lie...Mc Cain uses the phrase himself..SO WHAT!!! The PIT BULL he has choosen for VP better be kept on a short leash!

Connie James Palm Desert, CA (Sent Wednesday, September 10, 2008 6:15 PM)

Chris Matthews, On your program today, you said, We are distracted with this "lipstick issue". YOU are distracted, believe me, we the viewing public don't care about this so-called lipstick remark all that much. We DO care about the economy, the Bush war, high prices for gas, groceries, the future, and a lot of other important issues that Barak Obama has been talking about. The fact that Carl Rove has succeeded in getting you (the press) to focus on this lipstick baloney or whatever else he comes up with tomorrow, you should be able to see that these distractions are just how fellows like him thrive on, but that is not what this nation needs to be informed about at this time. It is your responsibility to focus on what is really IMPORTANT to us, and not waste our time and yours being led by the nose like you have been recently. I like watching you, but if you continue in this vein, I will have to switch to something else. Thanks.

Alice Romo Coppell, Texas (Sent Wednesday, September 10, 2008 6:15 PM)

Chris, How do you know that O'bama knew what he was saying would get exactly the reaction it did. He did it to get the R to play into his kind of politics. He did it to Hillary and now he will do it to Palin. Throw out the term and then deny it meant anything and then let the opposition do your work for you....

M (Sent Wednesday, September 10, 2008 6:21 PM)

Chris,
I think you are a disgrace to the media. You have a show where you invite representatives from both campaigns to comment on issues, yet you play the democratic role for Ms. Backus pounding Mr. Feehery regarding the lipstick comment by Obama. You won't even let Mr. Feehery speak, you consistently interrupted him and then moved on to Ms. Backus. At least let the man speak! Chris, it's rude to behave this way on your show. Please don't invite republican strategists and McCain campaign people onto your show if you're not going to give them the time of day. It's very clear to your viewers that you are extremely liberal, but you go too far. Tom Browkaw said the same thing about you and your beloved, crazy, liberal freak friend Olbermann. No wonder NBC fired you from hosting live political events.

Sherry Smith, Hubbard, Oregon (Sent Wednesday, September 10, 2008 6:25 PM)

Thank you Chris for todays show. I think this was the best Hardball I have ever seen. You truely played Hardball with this lipstick on a pig thing, and your comment at the end of your show was very good. Today you were of service to your country and we appreciate it. Thank you.

Kathleen Ferguson, San Diego, CA (Sent Wednesday, September 10, 2008 6:27 PM)

Hey Chris can you play this speech by Michael Douglas from the American President
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44R5BapEdYY
on your show and ask your panel why Obama can't respond to McCain in the same way? I think that this speech pin points exactly what the Obama Campaign lacks.
Even if you do not air this speech or Chris never reads this post, I would be humbled with any response in an e-mail format to my address at shawnhdavis@gmail.com

Shawn, Bloomington, IL (Sent Wednesday, September 10, 2008 6:28 PM)

Chris,
Your show tonight was so refreshing. Thank you. I just called my daughter, a senior in college, to give her a recap of the lipstick nonsense with some appreciative emphasis on your handling of the matter.

Before I could finish the story, my daughter responded with "That is so silly. That's a common phrase. There are important things these people should be talking about."

As I am just a little younger than you are, I thought you might enjoy hearing that tonight you hit it out of the park. Young Americans do care. They care about issues and about honesty. Well done!

Hildy

Hildy Montaigne (Sent Wednesday, September 10, 2008 6:34 PM)

Why aren't you reporting on Sarah Palin's upcoming trip to rake in big money at the 9/25 luncheon at Tom Siebel's Woodside estate? Doesn't it go against her folksy, small-town, blue-collar personna to hob-nob with the sophisticated elite Silicon Valley intelligentsia? What would the gymnasium crowd/whistle stopping swing state voters say to $50,000 for lunch & 3 pics with Sarah? I say it smacks of hypocrisy when she seems so derisive about Obama in big, bad liberal San Francisco.

Angela Norton, Hillsborough, CA (Sent Wednesday, September 10, 2008 6:36 PM)

Thank you, thank you, thank you!! Thank you for Hardball today on "Lipstick" Politics. I wish the whole nation watched this episode. This whole lipstick acquisition is asinine. In a way, I'm glad that McCain put up this ad that is so blatantly taken out of context of both Obama and Katie Couric. It just shows how desperate McCain is to manipulate the American people into voting for him through distractions. I just hope that American voters are not blinded by his "shiny object" called Sarah Palin and all of her falsehood. Thank you Chris for everything you do!

Alicia, Orlando, Florida (Sent Wednesday, September 10, 2008 6:37 PM)

Happen to be, or know one of those people that can't deliver a punchline? That would be Obama. I wouldn't have thought much about it except when I saw him make the comment and his body language screamed uh-oh; the hand to the forehead, the appearance of hesitation, the "tell", that he knew he was dipping a toe in hot water.
As they say in politics, "perception is reality". He knew the double entendre value and risked it. Time to get out of the pig pen and drop the silliness he allegedly dislikes.
"Catnip to the media"? You guys can't get enough.

Jan Eller, Wasilla, AK (Sent Wednesday, September 10, 2008 6:39 PM)

Funny how these comments that are approved by the MSNBC staff are all against McCain/Palin. It's unbelievable how biased the media is. Why did Obama use a line exclusively used by Republicans in the past if he wasn't aiming his statement at Palin? Don't you think it's a little close with regards to timing of the statement when Palin's speech was a week ago? Oh, but he wasn't referring to Palin at all, the crowd was just roaring like he was. It will be interesting to see how the media covers Obama's attack of McCain that he's racist. They claim swiftboating against the Rupublicans, but it seems to me that Obama is jumping in head first with swiftboating and SMEAR tactics!

Sherry Smith, Hubbard, Oregon (Sent Wednesday, September 10, 2008 6:39 PM)

Thanks Chris,
Statistics say that John McCain will not live to serve a term in office. I want a president that has a stake in America's future and Barack Obama is that guy.
It's very sad that a person who has worked to help less fortunate people is looked down on by so many. Where is the "Moral Majority" now?
John McCain is a party puppet, and he will do anything to be elected.

Ralph Peoria, Il. (Sent Wednesday, September 10, 2008 6:41 PM)

Chris,

You all fell for it! Please see that Mr. O has set up the Mccain camp and you guys. He is a talented speaker and knows how to speak and what happens when he does speak. Just think about it, does that sound like something he would normaly say? He is an elequent speaker and you all fell for his trap...just to stif up the mix and give a break news and now he is part of it. Give me a break....he is smart media guy....but he did not relize that women love lipstick.

Marlin NPB Florida (Sent Wednesday, September 10, 2008 6:43 PM)

Chris,
I find it funny that there are absolutely NO comments in opposition of your show. Do you really think that everyone who watches is in agreement with you? Once again, only posting positive comments shows how liberal and biased NBC really is.

Sherry Smith, Hubbard, Oregon (Sent Wednesday, September 10, 2008 6:45 PM)

Chris, your show today was great! Thank you for your sound mind and wisdom. Please don't go away from MSNBC as it has been reported you may.

Anita, Los Angeles, CA (Sent Wednesday, September 10, 2008 6:49 PM)

its true its all in obamas body language and was about the 2 republican candidates just watch his body language and yes chris you can draw the conclusion if not go back to school lipstick pig is what im talking about

michael (Sent Wednesday, September 10, 2008 6:52 PM)

Hi Chris, I am a 52 years old, fairly educated, and registered independent. The lipstick comment is getting blown out of proportion, I would just like to say this: Obama is obviously an intelligent man. I do not think he intentionally meant to imply that he was talking about Sarah Palin. He made a poor choice of words. However, he wants to be president of our country, he should be able to think before he speaks better than he did. So, I do fault him for that. I do believe that as he was saying it he realized the impication. I do believe many people believed that was what he was saying. I do fault him for that. I hope John McCain puts an end to this before the debat. Thanks for listening.

Mary Jean Wall
Oppenheim, NY

Mary Jean Wall Oppenheim, NY (Sent Wednesday, September 10, 2008 6:54 PM)

Thank God For Chris Matthews. If Tim Ressert were here he would be pushing back at this ridiculous spin along with you Chris.
Tonight I felt sense of relief that one impartial journalist saw through this GOP spin machine and kept asking the hard questions. Let's see if Charlie Gibson asks Palin even ONE hard question tomorrow....maybe he will ask her what she puts in her moose stew!! That information will help all of us in the upcoming year!!

Lisa Wood (Sent Wednesday, September 10, 2008 6:56 PM)

Chris, you nailed it. The GOP & candidates are so afraid they are going to lose this election, they'll do ANYTHING. They are a disgrace to America by using this kind of distorted campagning solely for the sake of trying to win. The debates will change everything and the American people will see through the Republican candidates' false claims of change. For they are indeed intending to continue ALL basic policies of the Bush misadministration. McCain could change his name to John Bush-McCain, even though he doesn't support gay rights & same-sex marriage. 90% of the time, he's agreed with Bush and they have run this country into the ground with their personal agendas.
As Obama stated correctly, "If you like George Bush.....vote for McCain". The only thing John McCain will change....is adding an 8th house to his portfolio - IF he can find it.

Andy, Las Vegas, Nevada (Sent Wednesday, September 10, 2008 7:02 PM)

Finally--a media voice of the people--we don't care about--"lipstick"--we care about our country and what is happening to it.

Jane Hutchings, Bloomfield, IA (Sent Wednesday, September 10, 2008 8:22 PM)

I was pleased to watch Chris Matthews insist on the truth from the Republican pundit this evening. It is rare that an anchor or a pundit insists on clarity and accuracy from his interviewee or panel member. It was worth watching the heat when it resolved into light.
Linda

Linda Diane Smith (Sent Wednesday, September 10, 2008 8:31 PM)

Chris,
Thanks for the terrific show tonight. You Rock!!!! You kept asking the questions, you wouldn't let the b.s. stand. The woman named Jennifer who was on was also excellent--talking about issues--what a concept!!! Thank you for your courage and for fighting back against this very sad spectacle called a campaign coming from someone I formerly admired, Sen. John McCain. Considering that he was the victim of similar false smears and innuendo during the 2000 campaign, it is especially vile for him to be engaging in this type of thing with so many important issues going on. In a related matter, Gov. Palin certainly has no trouble dishing out disparaging, false remarks, yet she and those around her seem to be hypersensitive to any remark that is not positive.

Debra R. Messick (Sent Wednesday, September 10, 2008 8:33 PM)

Bravo to you and the Hardball crew for today's segment! And my earnest thanks for showing up the rank deception and tactical obfuscation of the McCain/Palin Campaign. In the absence of genuine policy, authentic integrity, or even the most grudging respect for the concept of "Straight Talk", the McCain/Palin handlers continue to drill the depths for ever lower, ever more polluted message spin. At the same time, they wail and whine and self-righteously scream "Sexism" and "Smear Campaign" as FACTS about Sarah Palin's record continue to tumble out of the Tundra.

Well, I am a woman, too. And I've had some experience confronting genuine Sexism. I know the face of that particular "pig"all too well, with or without "lipstick". Beyond my disgust at seeing yet another insufferable effort to divert voters' attention from the real and deadly-serious issues of this campaign, I resent to my core the cynical misuse, the trivializing for political gain, of a real and deadly-serious issue of women's lives.

ENOUGH!

You did your jobs today.

You did us proud.

M. Epstein, Los Angeles, CA (Sent Wednesday, September 10, 2008 8:40 PM)

I am writing this, as a concerned citizen, because the 2008 election must be decided on the issues – not on personalities. Unfortunately, in the last few weeks, I have heard no substantive discussions of the pressing decisions that will be facing our next president. Oh, I have heard plenty about lipstick, about bridges, and about teenage pregnancies but have heard no discussion about energy policy, about global warming, about citizens without health insurance and a litany of other important issues that are too numerous to mention.

The point of this is to force the Democrats and the Republicans back to what really matters – the serious issues that are confronting everyday Americans. How will we pay our heating bills this winter? How will we decide whether we can fill up our cars or buy new sneakers for our children? How will we reduce the threat of global terrorism?

John McCain’s campaign manager has stated that this election is not about the issues. I beg to differ – that is all that it is about. Perhaps he thinks average Americans are not smart enough to make an informed electoral decision. Perhaps he is afraid of the decision that will be made if issues were the only thing that determined the outcome. I honestly do not care what he thinks but I do care that the media is allowing him to dictate the dialogue.

We, as individuals, can affect change by demanding that the news organizations focus on what is most important. Thank you, Chris for attempting to do that tonight - hopefully more news organizations will do exactly that.

Cheryl Barnett, East Brunswick, NJ (Sent Wednesday, September 10, 2008 8:41 PM)

Great job exposing this crap. But it's not just the Republicans who are responsible for bringing this up. Why on earth is the media even giving this any air time? Yes, once it's out there, it has to be answered, and this is what Chris did. But collectively, the media is responsible for distracting us every bit as much as the Republicans. The media, collectively, responds to the Republican blather like guitar strings to a guitar plucker, and we're all plucked as a consequence.

David Seiple, New York, NY (Sent Wednesday, September 10, 2008 8:42 PM)

Chris - We, as Americans, need your help in seeking the truth about the 2008 Presidential candidates. Faced with so many serious problems as a result of failed leadership over the last 7 years, most Americans are trying very hard to make the right decision with regards to picking the best candidate to lead this country. That is why I was so glad to see you "battling for the truth" and calling attention to a serious problem facing Americans - wrongful campaign ads which attempt to mislead the American people. If the Press would say "ENOUGH!!" to malicious and wrongful information no matter which party is doing it; that would be a very important and a very good thing for ALL Americans. I can choose to watch any TV program/News channel that I want, but I have come to expect and rely on you, especially during your "Hardball" TV program, to ask the tough questions and bring out the truth. THANK YOU for helping me seek the truth, so that I can make the right decision on behalf of and for the future of my 9 young grandchildren.

Yvonne Helmer, Phoenix, AZ (Sent Wednesday, September 10, 2008 8:47 PM)

chris
I can't express how awesome your show was tonight- I mean you really made us all proud to be Americans with your pointed questions removing the distractions to get down to what really matters to everyday citizens. Keep up the good work!

Tammy Cary North Carolina (Sent Wednesday, September 10, 2008 8:48 PM)

Chris, Those people who urge you to ignore the “lipstick” comments made by the McCain camp just don’t get it. I agree that we absolutely need both McCain and Obama to be challenged about their positions on the critical issues affecting the future of our country. That's what we all want to know. However, if candidates are not held accountable for false stories and feigned outrage, then they and their campaigns will continue this practice until it sucks up all the oxygen in the room leaving no breathing space for intelligent conversation. Calling it what it is… a distraction… will hopefully shorten the news cycle on this mindless piece of drivel.

Great great show!

Cyann LA, CA (Sent Wednesday, September 10, 2008 8:52 PM)

Great show Chris. It's about time you called McCain and his supporters on the carpet. If the McCain wants to cry sexism about Obama's lipstick comment, maybe someone should rerun the clip when McCain snickered over a question asked him by a female member of the audience about Hillary Clinton being a bitch.

Joe R., Southern Utah (Sent Wednesday, September 10, 2008 8:54 PM)

Chris,
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU, for tonights show. You gave the them a chance to uncle and they wouldn't.

It was so nice to see someone lay out the whole McCain distraction in one place.
Obama was right this morning this is how the GOP has run an election for the last 8 years.
Give me the old days where you could talk politics with issues not garbage.
THANK YOU AGAIN, keep calling them on these things whether democrat or republican.....

Sorry to hear hear you and Keith Oberman got kicked off the election night. I was really looking forward to the two of you. I like David Gregory but I really miss Tim Russet as I'm sure we all do.
KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!!!!!

JILL RENO NV (Sent Wednesday, September 10, 2008 9:16 PM)

Thank you for speaking out so forcefully on this issue. It's refreshing and even inspirational to hear someone in the media break free of the cynicism and relentless focus on trivia we've been seeing so much recently. John McCain should be ashamed of himself, the news media should be ashamed of its collective self, and we, the American public, should be covering our heads in disgrace if we allow this incredibly important election to be hijacked by this sleaze.

gg (Sent Thursday, September 11, 2008 7:03 AM)

Hello Chris; your commentary about this country and it's possible condition 20 years from now was right on the mark. If both parties do not start addressing the critical issues of the day, we will be in deep trouble. As the McCaine/Palin campaign manager has already pointed out, this campaign will be about personalities, not issues. Thinking individuals in our society do not care about lipstick; but how the war in Iraq has financially drained the society until your description of it in 20 years is very possible.

William Patrick Comstock; Belcamp, MD (Sent Thursday, September 11, 2008 8:02 AM)

Has anyone seen the video with McCain saying the exact same thing about the pig in lipstick referring to Hillary Clinton?

June (Sent Thursday, September 11, 2008 8:23 AM)

I absolutely love the MSNBC Team.....I am sick of the Republican Party trashing the media about Sarah Palin. The Republican party is the one that put it out there regarding Mrs. Palin's daughter being pregnant. Mrs. Palin is no different than a lot of American family's that experience personal family matters. Now there is all this controversy regarding the pig and pink lipstick. She is being protected from the media what kind of foolishness is this? She is running for the Republican VP slot "QUIT" treating this woman like she is some body not to reckon with.....because she is wearing a skirt! Hilary was able to hit the floor running on day one she announced her desire to run for office. And she was not hidden from the press. Palin has been reading the same script for the last two weeks ENOUGH! This is all a joke to women and the American people. Putin will eat her alive... Media Friends weather you believe it or not you have bought into all this foolishness report and treat Mrs. Palin like she is a running for public office and cut the crap of stepping on her toes DO YOUR JOB AND GO AFTER HER! like you would any other public figure. ENOUGH with her family matters we have people loosing their jobs daily. Let's get to the issues. I love you Guys and Gals on the MSNBC Team! Born on 9/11.

Marie Blanks, Carrollton, Texas (Sent Thursday, September 11, 2008 8:39 AM)

Chris-

Thank you for tonight's show. Exposing the hypocricy of the Lipstick statement was brilliant. I debated this issue on a talk forum yesterday and was astounded by reactions.

I researched the phrase when the controversy first arose and I found that it is indeed a commonly used phrase. It's commonly used just as Obama used it.

What I really find amazing is that Republicans minus well not use it because Palin "mentioned" lipstick in her convention speech. So what? If she were a man would they be saying the same thing? So who really is playing the gender card?

They are also making reference to the audience applauding and clapping. Uh, isn't that what audiences are suppose to do? This is a campaign is it not? They applaud when they believe in what you stand for and what you are saying.

I think Republicans should look in the mirror before opening their mouths. Watch McCain's video when he used the reference regarding Hillary's policies. Guess what? The audience applauded.

Dee, Parkville, Maryland (Sent Thursday, September 11, 2008 8:40 AM)

Thanks, Mr. Matthews, for doing a show on the lipstick comment, and for making Mr. Feehery squirm in his chair. Now please do a show like this one to get to the truth (or untruths) about the McCaine ads stretching the truth on Obama sex education act and also on McCaine ad stating that Obama had 30 or so reporters dropped in Alaska to dig up dirt on Palin. I believe that most of this is crap, also. I love how you don't back down until you get a straight answer, no matter if you are talking to a representative of the democratic party or a representative of the republican party. Thank goodness for you!
donna

donna (Sent Thursday, September 11, 2008 9:12 AM)

Chris, I agree with your comment, and the Republicans NEW position, that kids are off limits. But, I'd really like to hear you ask the McCain people why they thought it was funny, even better why McCain thought it was okay, when he made a joke about Chelsea Clinton's looks when she was a little girl and Bill Clinton was President. Just another example of their hypocrisy, and phony outrage. This is an old incident, but clearly shows his true character.

Deborah Davis (Sent Thursday, September 11, 2008 10:05 AM)

Chris,
I have disagreed with you many times in the past, but I have to wholeheartedly agree with your views on the lipstick distraction. There are too many important issues in this election to allow phoney outrage to distract voters from what is clearly at stake. Perhaps the McCain campaign feels that the large number of Americans who are suffering in this economy, our energy crisis, frightening climate change, high food prices,unaffordable healthcare, failing schools, endless war, and the growing divide between the haves and the have nots is just more "static and ground noise."
Thank you for questioning the Congreewoman from Oklahoma's fake indignation and for demanding specific examples of MSM attacks on Palin's family.
Throughout the campaign, the McCain camp has used his POW status as a wild card free pass to avoid answering tough questions about his voting record, flip-flops, and support of Bush/Cheney policies. Now his campaign has offered a new distraction. While McCain hides behind her skirts and grins, Palin is kept behind the podium to attack with unbridled sarcasm. Claiming lack of respect and deference for their candidate, for almost 2 weeks she has been shielded from unscripted, uncoached, uncontrolled interviews. In crying foul and sexism, they are denying voters unbiased, critical information about Sarah Palin. Voters don't care about her family issues, the kids and the "First Dude," but voters deserve to know about a candidate's basic beliefs, policies, and leadership before they cast their votes. Once Palin accepted the responsiblity of her place on the ticket, she accepted the obligation to reveal herself and her full record to the American people. That is true service, patriotism, honor, integrity and America First.
Enough!

Carol Allison, Lake Zurich, IL (Sent Thursday, September 11, 2008 10:18 AM)

Chris: Many thanks to you for some real journalism! Your questioning of the Republican guy was right on the money. I'm surprised that Katie Couric hasn't raised holy hell about the McCain campaign's use of footage of her.

McCain is ultimately culpable for this ad. It's his money and his campaign--the buck stops with him.

Sara Gann, Arlington, VA (Sent Thursday, September 11, 2008 10:19 AM)

Chris,
you have gained my utmost respect after last night's exposee of a typical Karl Rove/Richard Addington stunt. Talk about a Tempest in a Teabag! Thank you so much for taking it to 'em - although I wish you had someone other than the young woman to counter your pro-Grampy McSame's surregate. She was earnest but couldn't deliver the cool-handed arguments needed against these spin meisters.

Kat, St. Paul, MN (Sent Thursday, September 11, 2008 10:28 AM)

When has Obama used the "pig" adage previously? Taking the measure of the man requires that you observe HIS prior conduct, and comments. HIS reference was to Palin, and your indignation only reveals your bias, sorry.

Scott L Robertson (Sent Thursday, September 11, 2008 10:33 AM)

What is so sad is that the American people once again are so dumbed down and American-Idolized that they hardly notice the economy seems to be collapsing around them and that our country has lost so much under the last eight years of Republican control. Instead, they fall to the Rove tactics of personal smear and a focus on personalities rather than issues.

Let's hope that young people do care enough to make certain they are registered--deadline is coming up in most states the first week of October. And that they actually vote. For those young people and others who do care and want to persuade others to vote for Obama and change, go to:

WWW.TWOVOTERS.COM

You can download some excellent profesionally done spot videos that you can e-mail to friends, colleagues, and familiy.

Tony Branch, St. Petersburg, FL (Sent Thursday, September 11, 2008 10:41 AM)

Truth. Honesty. That is what this discussion is about. If American can not trust our leaders to tell us the TRUTH - beginning with their campaign ads - we will continue on the slippery slope towards oblivion. TRUTH, JUSTICE - The American Way! Isn't that what my genreation learned form the old black and white Superman television shows? Truth telling perhaps should be one of the biggest issues of this campaign.

E. Miller, Nairobi (Sent Thursday, September 11, 2008 10:46 AM)

Anyone with half a brain knows the lipstick thing is a distraction and the sex ed ad is a flat-out lie. But one question remains: If you put lipstick on John McCain, would he still be a pig?

Pat Eblen, Leesburg, Va. (Sent Thursday, September 11, 2008 10:49 AM)

Although I agree with most of the comments made about your last nites show, my comment is about this morning 9/11/08. Why in heck would MSNBC rerun the broadcast of that day reminding New Yorkers that they need to see the horror of that day. We REMEMBER ALL TO WELL. Why not just honor our dead, say a pray and comfort the ones like myself who live on with the hope that this will never happen again to our loved ones. Today my sorrow, anxiety, & feeling of despair are flooding back. Why, Why my God are they doing this????????

Sam New York City (Sent Thursday, September 11, 2008 10:52 AM)

The question should be, Chris, "when has Obama used the pig adgage previously?" If he hasn't, case closed. He called Sarah Palin a pig...AND John McCain a stinking fish. The human scale of Obama is disappointing, isnt't it?

Scott L Robertson (Sent Thursday, September 11, 2008 10:53 AM)

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