Barack Obama Vs. Sarah Palin. And the Pig Vs. Pit Bull Lipstick Brouhaha

Is Hawaii really part of America? ...............................Is Alaska really part of America?

Charismatic star power when speaking .............................Ditto

Sometimes sounds like an egg-head ...................Sounds like a ditto-head

Opponents try to paint spouse as not patriotic ("Proud" statement) ................. Ditto (Alaska Independence Party)

Opposes more drilling for oil in Alaska .....................Asked churchgoers to pray for a natural gas pipeline in Alaska

His former church pastor doesn't always watch his tongue ...................In her church they speak in tongues

Has somewhat rigid position on abortion ................Has extremely rigid position on abortion

Believes in faith-based initiatives ...............................Practices faith-based politics

Old White Guy for running mate .............................................Ditto

Longtime Democratic Washington insider for running mate ................Longtime Republican Washington insider for running mate

Running mate has sometimes uncontrollable mouth ......................Running mate has sometimes uncontrollable temper

Careful when choosing words .....................................Currently being coached on this

Well versed on all the issues .......................................Currently being coached on these

Living the American Dream ........................................................Ditto

Would be the first African-American President ..................Would be the first woman Vice-President

Roots for the Chicago Bears ........................................Hunts Alaskan wolves from planes

Roots for the Chicago Bulls ..........................................Can field-dress a moose

And now, the pig vs. pit bull lipstick brouhaha

"You can put lipstick on a pig, but it's still a pig. " So said Barack Obama yesterday when talking about John McCain's economic policies. The following is from an article in the September 10^th New York Times, "Obama Responds to 'Phony Outrage'"

Mr. Obama said [in a campaign stop this morning] "I'm assuming you guys heard this watching the news. I'm talking about John McCain's economic policies and I said here's more of the same, 'You can put lipstick on a pig, but it's still a pig. Suddenly, they say, Oh you must be talking about the governor of Alaska!'"

Alaska governor Sarah Palin, the Republican Vice-Presidential nominee, said at last week's Republican Convention that the difference between a pit bull and a hockey mom, as she describes herself, is lipstick. Has "lipstick" now been appropriated by her as a campaign symbol? So that any reference to "lipstick" is a reference to her? How idiotic!

If you apply the "logic" of Obama's expression to pit bulls, it would be

"You can put lipstick on a pit bull, but it's still a pit bull."

The real outrage is that the Republican candidates may win this election on the basis of how much swagger and "pit bullishness" they show. And in the case of Palin, that's about all she has going for her, besides her good looks and earnestness. God help us if they succeed.