When you watch the Obama "pig" remark it is clear that the audience didn't find his joke as benign. They erupted with clapping and laughter. The early AP news wire article explained how the audience had drawn a direct parallel between the Governor's remarks about lipstick and his joke.

Jason, Morgantown, United States

From my investigations, with 20 years military knowledge, I would say that the Swift Boat Veterans claims about John Kerry’s Vietnam record, appeared to have a sound basis. Mostly because all the statements about Kerry''s "record" of actually happened were given by people who were actually there.

Duke, Durant, USA

John VA - if you 'dont care what we think' then why are you reading our paper ?
Just asking, no offense mate

Dave, London, Great Britain

A slight correction- the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth claims about John Kerry were nearly all provably true. His shipmates considered him to be an awful commander and his injuries recognized as self-exaggerated for the purpose of hastening his discharge.

Mike, Connecticut, USA

Obama is just fluff & this is showing now. By the way, the swift boat accusations were not proven false. Again, the bias of the members of the media shows through.

David, Laurinburg, USA

Barak Hussein is nothing but an empty suit with an ego bigger than Chicago itself. Otherwise, why would he spend $500,000 to take the American flag off his plane to replace it with his personal insignia. That is EXACTLY what he thinks of this country. Everyone had better wake up.

fuzzball, Flint, USA

Um, my fellow Americans..you are aware this is a British newpaper's website, right?

MIkeD, Illinois, USA

Kerry actually admitted all of the verifiable accusations of the Swift Boat Heroes was true.

It's sad that the press is so in the tank for Obama that they have given up all objectivity.

Jim Rose, Ferndale, CA, USA

Obama is blowing it. His inexperience is getting the best of him now. He's costing the dems the election.

Jackal, STL, USA

Obama just needs to get back to talking the issues and ignore the current novelty of Palin. the only reason she has it is because the campaigning has went on far too long this time around and she is fresh and new. She offers nothing and neither does McCain, that's why he is using her.

Steve, Minneapolis,

Umm - I believe a very thorough analysis by several news and private sources verified most of the charges against John Kerry raised by the Swift Boat veterans.

Do I smell your bias? Shame on you ...

Jess, Kingsport, USA

Obama touched it first AFTER Palin initianally said it at the
RNC. Her remark was the first 'innocent' remark, NOT his.

David Fowler, Memphis, USA

"Sorry folks but from my position, here in the U.K., I think you must sack 'em all and start again. jenna levin, London, U.K."

Sorry jenna but from our position here in the USA, we don't care what you or the rest of the world think. Fix your own system; and then we still don't care what you think

john, Va, USA

WHO CARES if Alaska "treated her like a Pope". to Alaska she is More than a Pope. She led them out of the Governmental and Fiscal Darkages that has plagued that state since just after it became a state. To Corruption she got rid of to Alaska seemed almost insurmountable. Almost as bad as Washington

Ed, Indianapolis, USA

Biden needs to get some of his Facts straight, since there has Never Been a Single benefit from Stem Cell Research to date, after 20years of research, his remark holds NO VALIDITY.
And, Yes, there is Unease about B.Hussein O'Bama, we do Not want a MARXIST as a President.

Ed, Indianapolis, USA

Why did you have to go out of your way to point our that Sarah used a teleprompter when giving remarks in Fairbanks--do you ever say that about Obama, he can't harldy talk without a T/P--at her acceptance speech in Dayton, her T/P was out of cynic and she delivered it without a T/P

charles porter, holmes beach, usa

The authors go out of their way to mention Gov. Palin's "telegenic" son and her use of a teleprompter. Sen. Obama and Sen. Biden (and most other politicians for that matter) use teleprompters and showcase their "telegenic" children, but I don't see anyone writing about that. Why the difference?

Matt, Atlanta, USA

One thing that the "World who wants O'Bama", Needs to understand. YOU DO NOT CHOOSE OUR PRESIDENT. If you did, then the world would Likely be in a World of Hurt, without the kind of Ally America has Given you for the past 150+ years, as we have Promoted FREEDOM Consistently.

Ed, Indianapolis, USA

If the authors were merely quoting Obama as saying the SWIFT BOAT claims were 'false' - that would be journalism; but for the authors to assert this lie themselves discredits their writing, & exposes their liberal-bias smear tactics against brave SWIFT BOAT PATRIOTS who risked careers exposing Kerry

Dan E., Ann Arbor, MI, USA

The media never plays the previous few sentences of the speech Obama was making. He was talking about health care or some other McCain policy when he made the pig comment - he wasn't talking about Palin at all. Thanks to the right and the media for jumping all over this.

Brett, Charlotte, NC, USA

Typical media biased article. Apologizing for Obama at every turn. Who says the Swift boat veterans made false claims? Some could not be verified, but most were pretty accurate and depicted Kerry for who he was, a kid who didn't face his responsibilities and took the easy way out.

Jake Hart, Indianapolis, USA

How can Palin be the savior when she does not even stand for women's right? Even her own daughter was even no choice or right to decide for herself. She is from Alaska, I bet there is more political experience coming from ALASKA then ILLNOIS, not. Obama worked with diverse groups, unlike Palin.

Naleen Lal, Northern California,

Great, moral judgement from of all places - south africa.

geerod, columbus, zimbabwe

Look, all of this is kindergarden politics, which the Republicans LOVE. All they yell about is terrorism and raxes.
1. We are 3 trillion in debt, thanks to Republicans.
2. Taxes for Democrats will go down 5% under 250,000, taxes with McCain 3%.
3. Nine eleven happened on a REPUBLICAN WATCH.

bebe, Los angeles, usa

This is a very big deal to people who think this is a very big deal. It was a waste of my time to read this nonsense. I feel used.

Robert, Amarillo,Texas, by god!, USA

It is so sad that once again the U.S. is not looking "respectable" because of our leaders who represent us. Let me say that some of us Americans are smarter than all of this. Yes, this election should be about the greater good for all. I would ask you all to pray for us. God help us all.

Jil Jennewein, Rapid City, SD, USA

No one has EVER said that "no one has ever questioned the truthfulness of the Swift Boat Veterans [for Truth]". What has been said is that no one has disproved the claims of SBVT.
The Snopes article is inconclusive as to truth or falsehood. It certainly doesn't support your claim of 'liars'.

Mike Grant, jacksonville, USA

"Scant evidence linking any of these claims to Democrats"? So who is making up this stuff about Palin? The Republicans? Hopeless media . . .

Diplomad, NY, USA

Authors Baldwin and Reid gratitious smear of Swift Boat Vets activities in the 2004 US election drew considerable refutation from many Americans. Perhaps the authors (and Snopes, too) will either collect the STILL STANDING $1 million award for proving Swift Boat Vet falsehoods or issue an apology.

Chase, Williamsburg, Virginia, USA

It's a tie! Game, set and match. They BOTH think women are pigs with lipstick, so there.

Honestly, can I please become British? If I were wealthy, I'd change my citizenship in a heartbeat--sod freedom, the people in this country are becoming an international embarrassment!

ng, NY state, USA

It is funny idiots mentioned Swift Boat as true. Why question Kerry who actually went to VIETNAM? Should the issue not be who actually went and served their country, which obviously Kerry did while Bush was hiding behind his parents money. Who are you to judge Kerry, he served BUSH did not.

Naleen Lal, Northern California,

Kudos to the BBC and other world organizations posting polls that the world favors Obama over McCain. They've done more for the McCain/Palin ticket than they could ever imagine. Well done!

Kilroy, Pittsburgh, PA,

So Ms. London, you believe using a fetus for research is a "choice" you should have? For what purpose? Science? Compassion? A Nobel Prize? What about the unborn child's choice? Those of us with a voice have a responsibility to protect the human rights of those without a voice, including the unborn.

s. b. dashiell-pollard, San Antonio TX, USA

I spent 4 great years working in USA with the USN, love the country and the people, proud to call you allies but you are embarrassing your great country with this nonsense. Get back to the issues facing the country, are you after another term of the same? Governments run their course and the same thing is happening in the UK. Labour has had their time and they cannot recover and that is why McCain and company are trying to divert the focus onto stupid side issues. C’mon guys show some spine and remember what the GOP has put your country and the world through.

Brian, Turnberry, Scotland

For Britons who wonder how Americans can ignore the issues and get caught up in nonsense like lipstick on a pig, you need only read the comments of the Americans posted here, especially regarding the Swift Boat Veterans who did their dirty work four long years ago; let it go already .

kathy, Chicago, USA

Maybe Palin should address a Star Wars convention. She can then say Obama's policies are from the Dark Side. It wouldn't be racist, just a topical comment. Much like Obama's pig statement was just a topical comment and not aimed at her.

Martin, York,

What makes Brits think that the American voter give a fig what they think. In fact, it is likely that UK's support of Obama will actually favor the election of McCain.

Frank, Los Angeles, USA

Props to Obama! He is exactly right, all this rediculous crap the conservatives keep coming up with to divert our attention is getting pathetic. He needs to continue taking the high road and talk about THE ISSUES, you know, those thinks McSame doesn't want us to think about?

JM, Beaverton, USA

Actually the swift boat claims are true. Do a little research.

John, charleston,

As the former Massachusetts Governor Jane Swift said at an inaugural meeting of the Republican Party’s “Palin Truth Squad”, only one candidate in the presidential race wears this form of make-up. She later added, less plausibly, that another line in Mr Obama’s speech had been a sly dig at 72-year-old Mr McCain. The Democratic nominee said that if an old fish was wrapped in a piece of paper called change, “it’s still gonna stink”.

Emory Levy, Morgan, USof A

The problem with Obama's comment was the context. Two weeks ago it would have been innocent. Yesterday it was clearly sexist and inappropriate.

Patrick Henry, Bristol, UK

Something about Brit's telling me who I should vote for in a condescending way fill's me with a sudden urge to throw tea in a harbor.

Shawn, Hollywood,CA, USA

The fish and lipstick was in reference to McCain's policies??? Give me a break!!

Emory Levy, Morgan, USofA

Several commenters have said that "no one has ever questioned the truthfulness of the Swift Boat Veterans". Perhaps they failed to read:

http://www.snopes.com/politics/kerry/swift.asp

First and foremost, only one of the Swift Boat Veterans actually served with Kerry in Vietnam. What liars!

James Wilson, Florida, US

Despite the frantic lefts attempt to compare what Obama said to others saying something similar in the past, it won't fly. Ever since palin made the comment about the difference between a hockey mom and a pit bull being "lipstick", she OWNS the term lipstick and anything associated with it.

Joseph, OCEAN TOWNSHIP, USA

I believe Obama's explanation that his lipstick comment was not a reference to Palin's lipstick joke However, from the crowd's wild applause it's obvious that's how they took it. I think Obama's biggest problem is that he didn't acknowledge right away that it was a mistake. His ego is too big.

Dave, Brooklyn, NY, USA

Barack O. being a lawyer knows how to inference without stating. That "Lipstick " analogy was used because he knew how his fans would perceive it. This reminds me of when BO referenced Hillary scratching his head with his middle finger to a roar from his followers, check youtube...the media won't.

Regular Guy, NYC, USA

You know, I don't know who you folks are as this is the first news report that I have read from your organization on-line, but I think you have done a fine job reporting the STORY. I get so darned frustrated with OPINION being sold as non-biased journalism that this story was refreshing. hank you.

Harry, Los Angeles, USA

When Obama and his people said McCain wanted to fight a war in Iraq for 100 years was he so concerned about the actual meaning of what McCain meant?
Lying about war , a war your(DEMS) party voted to start, is a minor thing for Obama, I guess.

Ron, Dunmore, us

It's clear that Obama meant to take a shot at Palin. And the problem is that both he is so arrogant that he thought he was being clever and the no one would understand what he meant. Now you have this candidate who was once so eloquent who is finally showing us who he really is. Arrogant.

Ziggy, Lyme, USE

was it a a Frenchman who said that Americans are the only people who went from childhood straight to senility?

ben trovato , Cape Town,

Correction: The Swift Boat claim was never proven to be false.

These other uses of the lipstick /pig expression were not preceeded by the pittbull/lipstick joke. When McCain used it he made clear it was in reference to teh health care plan and not Hillary Clinton.

FDR, New York,

The Democrats are now spiraling into the same cycle they are expert at: falling apart. They have fallen apart in the last stretch of the 400m dash in both previous elections. This is fundamentally due to the fact that they truly stand for nothing. The world doesn't vote for President - America does!

Mark , Charleston, United States

In the article you say "His reference to the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, which four years ago created a month-long frenzy with false claims about John Kerry’s Vietnam record". There was not one single thing that the Swift Boat Veterans said about Kerry that wasn't true. Why say that?

Louis, Columbus, USA

Can we just get back to the business at hand? Many are hurting in the worst kind of way(s): foreclosures;high gas prices;job loses;war(s);education; cost of food rising.

These are the germane things which need correcting. Let's
abandon the foolishness and get down to REAL business.
NOW!!!!

b, GA,

The Swiftboaters were a group of John Kerry's superiors and they did not lie about his record. But they did set the record straight.

matt collins, athens,ga, usa

Democrats are geared towards Socialism. In other words what is yours. is mine now. I can see why the world would like this. Many of us in the US believe you get what you rightfully earn. Immature and childish comments by the Democratic Bloggers will not help Obama in getting elected.

Cranky, St. Louis, MO,

Welcome to politics in America, September 2008 edition.

It *will* get uglier. And more stoopid.

It would be nice to think that American voters have had enough with Rovian tactics, but don't hold your breath.

Cheney & Bush were sold, twice.

Republicans are Masters of Spin, not of governing.

Adrian, Seattle, USA

Connect the dots, people! Obama is NOT what you've been led to believe. As a Democrat, I'm outraged, sickened that our leaders have again led us to slaughter, and chosen yet another arrogant snob who cannot contain his disdain for the commoner. Palin is a great woman. She is no pig.

Curtis, Golden, USA

He said what he said and the crowd responded favoribly, which he enjoyed.

Gary, La Center, WA, USA

"False Claims" about Kerry's war record ?
I think not.

Mark, Baltimore, USA

What the folks around the world don't understand is that we Americans are paying attention to issues while, at the same time, having a bit of fun talking about lipstick. We Americans are not going to elect Obama -- precisely because we reject his stance on the issues. We don't want another nanny.

Sheila, Knoxville, USA

Its clear and obvious what Obama is doing. Whilst the public and the media are consumed with Palins' biography he has 'struck a nerve' to redirect the discussion back to policies or solutions for the current problems. You should be angry about the economy not about lines used by all politicians.

Rory Barne, London, UK

Clearly the phrase is common currency in US politics.

If the Republicans think that Obama was referring to Sarah Palin do they know something that the rest of us don't?

Mike S, London,

Jonathan Swift, H.H. Munro, the Marx Brothers' writers and those of Monte Python, in top form and collaborating, could not have produced anything akin to this presidential election in the U.S.

Revive Harry Truman!

K. West, Mentor, OH, USA

Why is Joe Biden's comments about stem cell research a "new low"? Pro-life is as controversial as pro-choice - but at least support the research so those who would like a choice can have a choice?!!

Angelina, London,

All you people using Obama's middle name as a pathetic smear - what do you think YOU are doing?

Ask yourselves, who would Osama Bin-Ladin vote for: the obvious answer is McCain.

Nuff said.

JC, Cleggan, Ireland

I can't believe that when a country is trying to select its next president, the stories are these. What about informing the electorate of policy issues? Even Obama now is getting caught up in it. If America wants to support Palin, then they deserve all they get when the Republicans take over.

Kelly, Manchester, UK

Potential good thing: Palin's speechwriter retires the now broken lipstick-on-a-whatever metaphor.

How "tough" is Palin when she runs from potentially hostile questions any potential prez should be able to take? No interviews unless it's an ABC photo-op.

Would she last a day in Parliament?

Theo, San Francisco, USA

It would be easier to believe BHO if he just said "No i didn't mean it that way" and left it at that. When they had to come and say "But John McCain said it about Hillary's Health Care Plan." The it sounds like "Yes that is what I meant and I can justify it because you said it first, so there!"

Bryan, Holly Springs, USA

When you hear the context of the comment you say to yourself..."I thought that Mr. Obama was intelligent, I thought that Mr. Obama was sensitive, I thought that Mr. Obama was an eloquent speaker." I think that those thoughts were based on the mass media's creation. Our thoughts were wrong!

Alan , Milan, Italy

The religious right is now running the show via Sarah Palin! If anyone doubts that the intent of the Bush administration and the one offered up as McCain/Palin is anything else they need to read "Kingdom Coming" by Michelle Goldberg. America beware and be aware!

Jill Farris, Detroit, USA

Obama’s “Lipstick on a Pig“ and “Wrap a dead fish in paper” pithiness have a certain Chris Farley/Tommy-Boy quality and an aire of desperation about them, don't they? The man has lost his confidence and is gripping. We are witnessing an epic campaign meltdown in progress.

Joe Woodwell, Dallas, USA

The Swift Boat Veterans were just that, swift boat veterans. All but one of Kerry's former boat captains swore to the same stories, those that you call, "false claims." Which claims are false, then?
Who said "lipstick on pigs" first has no bearing here. It is the obvious reference that matters.

Jim, Jacksonville, U.S.A.

the selection ofarah Palin is genius. When the attacks come toward the pretty girl, 1 of 2 things happens: 1 the men are scolded for picking on the girl as just plain bullies.. and /or 2. the girl punches them back right in the nose and knocks them to the ground and the people cheer! we have BOTH

William R. Smith, Marietta, GA , USA

I strongly object to your cavalier assertion that the Swift Boat Veterans made "false claims" about Kerry. No specific untruth from the Veterans was ever brought forward by anyone, including the Kerry campaign. Rather, broad (but false) slanders were spewed for political effect, as you did here.

Jim, Wichita, U.S.A

Nothing like a bit of smeared lipstick to distract the voters from the real issues.

G Davidson, Kashiwa, Japan

Sorry folks but from my position, here in the U.K., I think you must sack 'em all and start again.

jenna levin, London, U.K.

Obama's comment was a riposte to Palin's "pitbull-with-lipstick" schtick. Last time I checked, it wasn't sexist to call someone a pig. The comment was clearly intended as an insult - and it was a witty one at that - but it was not sexist.

Eleanor D, Manchester, United Kingdom

I thought dinosaurs were long gone 4000 years ago, but maybe there are still a few in Washington

col, herzlia pituach, israel

Can anyone reading this tell me how McCain is going to protect us, help our economy, change the way the world sees us, or deal with our destroyed educational system? These Rovian tactics don't serve anyone. Lets get back to issues, for the sake of humankind.

Nancy, Maui, USA

Any chance we can focus on the important issues here? Education, healthcare, employment, the economy, foreign policy ...... Do we really think Sarah Palin is outraged by Obamas comment - after all, there's little to choose between a pit bull and a pig? Grow up, America.

Mike Hawksworth, Brighton, UK

Anyone who votes for flip-flop McCain ("I'm pro choice..oh, what a minute, I'm a pro-lifer now etc etc) and Palin must be as thick as a plank. McSame is decomposing before our eyes and probably won't survive a first time. You want her as the leader of the free world? Without a teleprompter??

Paul F, Singapore, Singaproe

Tom and Tim, What exactly were the ‘false claims’ made by the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth? Name them! What they said was true, that’s why they did so much harm to Kerry’s campaign.

Paul UK, Craigavon, NI

What nonsense! Was John McCain talking about Hilary Clinton then when he said it?
So - it can be used by the Republicans with impunity - but not by the Democrats - hypocrites!

Sonia Crawford, London, England

didn't realise so many republicans from america read this paper online..., a very vociferous crowd indeed.

monty, london,

She proposed a $30 billion pipeline that was the “will of God.” A month ago she doesn’t know what the vice-president does, and she praised the biggest pork barrel spender in Congress Ted Stevens. These facts were from http://dailysource.org/palin in case you wanted to know.

Stef, Watertown, USA

Why is it that nobody seems interested in voting based on the party's policies? "Oh, I was a democrat, but they didn't pick Hillary. And, Palin made that cute joke about being a hockey mom, so I'm voting red. Even though her policies are radically different to the party I was just supporting!"

Jen, York, UK

American politics is one of the biggest jokes I have ever seen.

Do Americans not care about their policies? Because the nation seems to lap up pathetic rhetoric with no substance whatsoever.

And we wonder why their superpower status is coming to an end?

I love America, but this is a circus!

T Jeanes, London,

it doesnt matter who said lipstick on a pig first. just the fact that this article keeps mentioning this indicates that the author as well as obama has little or no idea of what the fuss is all about. it is about obama attacking someone that he doesnt even have to. he is running against mccain.

jim, charlo, usa

The assertion that the Swift Boat Vets created a month-long frenzy of false claims is not accurate. The Swift Boat Vets' claims were never disproved; of 20 officers who served with Kerry, 16 stand by the group's claims. Go to swiftvets.com to read more.

Esteban, Houston, USA

Two possibilities regarding the lipstick comment:
1) Obama knew exactly what he was talking about.
2) This was a careless comment.
Either way, obviously, this has brought nothing good to Obama. At best, this is a very dumb mistake by a candidate that wants to be president.

Alberto Arango, Smyrna, GA, USA

While it was a Republican advertisement that stated the Obama campaign has "air dropped" 30 lawyers into Alaska to dig up dirt on Palin, the ad was actually quoting the Wall Street journal. Failing to mention that is disingenuous.

Nathan, Duluth, MN, USA

The Swiftboat Veterans claims were "false?"
<br/>
<br/>Any proof of that, or is that just more opinion masquerading as fact? Why hasn't Kerry released his Navy records as he promised? Why were his medals &quot;reinstated?&quot; There's a lot of questions he hasn't answered yet...

Robert, Denver, USA

Obama seems to have missed some good opportunities to keep his mouth shut.

Steven, London, UK

RE: "False claims" ???

You need to qualify your statement now:

"reference to the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, which four years ago created a month-long frenzy with false claims..."

If your going to loosely use statements ;ike 'false claims', its the up to you to justify!

NObama !!! yeah!

Patrick Martin, Lake Balboa, CA, USA

The lipstick on a pig comment is not used commonly! It is a Washington Insider remark. So when BHO used it in front of the "common Folk" knew exactly what he meant.
I am sick and tired of all of these politicians and
celebrities who say the worst things and then say,"that's not what I meant"!

Anna, Thompson Ridge, USA

The charges against John Kerry by the swiftboat guys were anything but "false claims". Kerry never disproved one of the charges in the book. There was a million dollar wager out there to anyone that could prove any of that stuff was a lie. No one, including Kerry, disputed the specifics.

Scott C, Roanoke, USA

Obama's smarter than to shrug off lipstick remark as innocent and unintended as a reference to Palin. Stinking old fish wrapped in today's newspaper McCain reference was sophomoric. We need an experienced president and VP. Obama needs senate experience like Clinton, who could've helped him win.

Richard, Canton,GA, USA

BHO just blew himself out of the water. When you get mad, you don't think, when you don't think, everything goes wrong!
Tough Break Eh!

Rocky, Honolulu, United States

The allegations made by the Swiftboat Veterans for Truth were by no means "false", as you so blithely label them. These allegations were put forward by men who actually served on the same boat and in the same unit as Kerry. Their accounts actually jibed with military records, as opposed to Kerry's.

Solly, Papillion, USA

Palin is associated with lipstick because of her widely repeated joke. Obama said the remark because it directly connects Palin with a pig and it was offensive. Judging by their laughter, his audience sure understood it to be a slam on Palin. And this is only one of a long series of sexist remarks.

dave, Los Angeles,

Obama's script writers thought their use of a common colloquialism would insulate Obama from his reference to Palin. Unfortunately, their plan is akin to a politician facing an opponent with paralyzed legs then saying ' my opponent wants to cripple us with his plan for..." Planned or not....dumb.

phil, madison, usa

The timing of Obama's "lipstick" remark is just too convenenient given Sarah Palin's pitbul/hockey mom/lipstick joke last week. Obama is an excellent communicator - this was a veiled attack -- obvious enough so that people make the connection but veiled enough so he can deny it.

LOLA, San Diego, US

Many of these articles keep missing the point (at the polite request of the Obama Campaign who keeps supplying them with other historical uses of the "pig in lipstick" phrase.)

Of course its been said by a lot of people. Its not the phrase thats potentially the problem.. its the context.

Ed, St Louis,

Ken Cordier was POW Assoc Pres, and Swift Boat member, everything they said was true, Kerry was a self promoter trying to build a JFK image,

... iF Edwards had carried his own state for the ticket Kerry would be President today (Thank God for local knowledge!!)

David Dean O"Keefe, Yap, Micronesia

Oh God! Would someone PLEASE smack us! I cannot believe that a nation, no seriously, can sink this low. Please help us, we cannot save ourselves. Did the Enlightenment happen? Do we not have brains? It reminds me of the "My Dad is bigger than your Dad" argument. Superpower my Butt! Help!

Dan Whornham, Seattle, USA

I am a white female and an independent voter - carefully watching & evaluating Obama & McCain to decide who I am going to vote for and have to say that right now I'm leaning towards McCain. I have been appalled by the very personal attacks & sexist judgements being made by Dems against her & family

LOLA, San Diego, US

was it exactly as portrayed by the mccain campaign?

no. but it was also not an "innocent" remark. obama knew what was being interpreted -- by the reaction of the crowd -- if not completely intended.

bottom line: obama is a ridiculous candidate, with too little experience and backbone. adios!

c. moore, winter park, fl, united states

Obama voted YES on a bill to introduce sex-education for school students beginning in Kindergarten pre-school. His vote is on record and you can read the bill yourself. This is indisputable.

As others have pointed out, the authors' definition of 'Swift-Boating' is John Kerry's definition.

Kevin Finnerty, Atlanta, USA

From the guy that played the race card by saying the Republicans claimed he "doesn't look like all the other presidents on the dollar bills" it's a little tough to take his charges of false outrage. He tried to get too cute with the lipsticked pig and the old fish and got busted.

Nate, Blue Earth, MN, USA

Obama was a fool to go there with the "pig" and "lipstick" remark because of Palin's Hockey Mom joke at the Republican National Convention. It was obvious from the joyful people behind him who stood up and cheered, that they took it to be targed at Sarah Palin. Of course it was.

Joan C., Roswell, Georgia, USA

The multiple eyewitness accounts that constitute the swiftboat vets' claims were never shown to be false.

Eric wiseley, strasburg, USA

Don't the Republicans have any better argument than this?

Paolo, Rome, Italy

errrrmmm... Tthe Dem party website used a pig-in-lipstick-and-glasses graphic on Aug 30, with an anti-Palin hit piece titled "McCain's Selection of Palin is Lipstick on a Pig" Ssee: http://www.democrats.org/page/community/post/elizabethberry/Cgsq
So it's NOT a reference to GOP "policies."

Anna Keppa, Lexington, MA , USA

The problem is with the pause after "You can put lipstick on a pig...." The audience began to laugh, because they got the joke-a reference to Gov. Palin. Saying such a thing so close to Gov. Palin lipstick comment at the convention was plain stupid.

Fred, Atlanta,

Only a fool cannot read through the Obama lines and see the sly cross reference to the Palin hockey mom comment. There are no lines in a U.S. presidential candidate's speech that aren't carefully crafted. Watch the video & see the pause & smirk before he says the now infamous quote.

Kyle, Duluth, US

Freud said that slips of the tongue originate in the subconcious. That's why Obama's crowd laughed and claped after the first mention of lipstick. He stuttered before he completed the thought because he realized why the crowd was laughing. He he decided to complete and leave the crowd's impression.

gene davis, Milford, USA

"... Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, which four years ago created a month-long frenzy with false claims about John Kerry&#8217;s Vietnam record..."

Note to all readers: Boone Pickens has offered $1 million to anyone who could prove any single one of those claims to be "false".

So far: no takers.

Randell Young, San Clemente, CA, USE

The Democrats are really running scared now, this is the best political discourse they came come up with? Little children on the playground calling names. Very weak.

Tom, Tigard, USA

those were not "false" claims about kerry's record in Vietnam

Skusmalsi, balto, USA

"Swift Boat false claims"?? Hah! Not a single, solitary claim made by the SwiftBoaters was false. The founder even bet Kerry (who served in VietNam for less than 90 days) ONE MILLION dollars to prove ANY of the allegations were untrue.

He still has his million and Kerry has been silent.

Robert, Uniontown, USA

Regarding the "false claims about John Kerry's Vietnam records" mentioned in this article, if the claims were false, why hasn't John Kerry sued the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth? Actually I recall that he promised to make his "sealed" records available after the election. We are still waiting.

Santiago Perez, Orlando, FL, USA

Your article makes the following claim:

"His reference to the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, which four years ago created a month-long frenzy with false claims about John Kerry’s Vietnam record,..."

You are incorrect. The accusations came from the men who served along side Sen Kerry in Vietnam

Patrick, Los Angeles,

The Swift Boat Veterans did not spread "false claims" about Kerry. They shared their experiences serving with him and highlighted his vicious anti-war smears against the military. There is a million-dollar prize for anyone who can prove the Swifties lied, and no one has even tried to claim it.

Jack DeWalt, Phoenix, AZ, USA

Obama's audience clearly understood his "pig" comment was meant to be insulting. To say that this has placed the U.S. Presidential campaign in the "playground insults" category is correct. But it wasn't McCain that went there, it was Obama. His campaign is imploding. He's an empty suit.

Chuck, Rochester, U

You were wrong calling the Swift Boat Veterans allegations false. Many were accurate, the rest were at worst a matter of conjecture. What was most impressive thing that the SwiftVets offered was the photo of the men John Kerry served with, of the twenty plus men pictured, only three endorsed Kerry

ck, Farfax VA, USA

After snubbing Hillary Clinton as VP, and branding Bill Clinton as a racist, Barack Obama is now seeking Bill's advice? I'd love to to sitting in on that conversation.

Phillip Lee, Frorida, USA