Barack Obama: 'Lipstick' Comment Was No Reference to Sarah Palin

On the political front... Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama has denied that his controversial "lipstick on a pig" comment was any reference to Republican VP candidate Sarah Palin and accused John McCain 's campaign of resorting to "lies and phony outrage." Speaking this morning at an event in Norfolk, VA, Obama said the Republicans created a "made-up controversy" by suggesting that his use of the phrase "lipstick on a pig" was a sexist comment against Palin. Obama also called for an end to personal attacks in the campaign so the candidates can focus on serious issues for "serious times." Obama's comment came Tuesday, when he took a dig at his Republican presidential rival by comparing McCain to George W. Bush and saying McCain would not change Washington D.C. as promised. "You know, you can put lipstick on a pig, but it's still a pig," Obama said. (link)